Sharing the power of PB!

PB Works has had some great opportunities to share our learning of all thing Participatory Budgeting this week. On Monday 23 November 2020, Louise O'Kane together with Michelle Markey, Community Planning Officer from Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, delivered an on-line lecture to students at Ulster University as part of the Inclusive Engagement Methods Module. Louise introduced Participatory Budgeting and shared the development of local PB practice across the region outlining the essential characteristics and added value of PB. Michelle shared her recent experience of delivering the live 'TAK£500' PB process as part of the ABC Community Planning Partnership's ongoing work in engaging and empowering local communities. Michelle highlighted the importance of partnership working and enabling local communities to develop ideas to tackle locally identified needs. The students then explored the challenges and opportunities presented by PB discussing aspects such as trust; capacity building; investment in decision-making; building social capital; transparency and accountability and communities feeling genuinely listened to.

On Tuesday 24 November, Louise had the opportunity to join members of Collaboration for Change to share the work of the PB Works project and to explore and discuss how PB has developed locally including ongoing efforts to mainstream PB and align it to strategic policy areas and existing resources. Collaboration for Change also launched their exciting crowd funder to develop their own PB process!