We're here today in Rotterdam, one of the cities experimenting with participatory budgeting,
a tool that is becoming more and more popular across Europe.
So let's see what residents here think about this innovative tool.
So do you know what participatory budgeting is? I have no idea.
Do you know what participatory budgeting is? No I don't, actually
I'm thinking of small loans for small start-ups
- No - Can you guess?
Do you know?
No um participatory budgeting? Is it like everyone every citizen uh that contributes to the budget of Rotterdam, the city like with taxes or something?
Not necessarily but if you explain to me I might pick it up
Participatory budgeting is a democratic tool that allows citizens to have a say on how to
spend a part of the municipal budget. City leaders ask their inhabitants to propose
or support ideas and initiatives to be implemented in their city or neighbourhoods.
If you if you could participate what kind of initiatives or projects would you
support or propose for your city, your neighbourhood?
All right that's actually a super great initiative, that city gives this opportunity;
definitely social, opportunity, social initiative, parks and open air gym
For my neighbourhood that would be safety, greenery, traffic, light
I work in the cultural sector so that would be something I would be in favour of, but also like
durability or circular economy kind of things, that seems like a good way to spend city money.
I think more to encourage people working together like
maybe in the neighbourhood to make a space where people come together and you have workshops or
speeches or anything just to like engage people doing more things together in a neighbourhood.
I guess property houses giving people especially the citizens, young people a chance to uh
buy property buy houses because in Holland, I don't know if it's Holland or
other places around the world but, there's a shortage of renting houses, buying houses.
Do you think this tool could help citizens be closer to decision-making?
I think so because I think it will make them more responsible
for and more aware of what you can do with money and when you can decide it about it yourself,
it makes you even more aware then so i think it's a good initiative
I do think so because if people can participate in having a say
where the people spending their money on, I think it will bring them close to each other.
It would bring maybe more power and voice to the people maybe
Yeah I think if you also make the knowledge bigger that people
will want to engage more with it and if you involve them more in projects and if you make
them really care about their neighbourhood and the place they live then of course they will make
more decisions or like be part of it. That’s all from Rotterdam today stay
tuned on your active.com for more content on participatory budgeting