This case study is part of a series supporting the toolkit for communicators on citizen participation. Read the full toolkit for communicators supporting citizen participation. The toolkit was created by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Innovative, Digital and Open Governance (INDIGO) Division in collaboration with UK Government Communications.
Process
Participatory budgeting is a process that allows citizens to participate directly in decision-making about public spending. In Paris, it reflects a commitment to actively involve the population in shaping the city’s future. The process shares power between elected officials and the public, with citizens contributing throughout. To be considered, a proposal must meet four criteria: it must serve the public interest, fall under the jurisdiction of the City of Paris, be submitted by a Parisian aged seven or older and constitute a capital expenditure.
Role of communications
The communication objectives for the participatory budgeting programme are to promote awareness of the process and to inspire Parisians to either submit ideas for it or vote on the ideas. To achieve this, the city leverages both online and offline communication tools.
Online activities include posting the map of voting points on the city website, highlighting the process in newsletters, sharing information on social networks and posting the videos of project designers as well as providing an online toolkit and campaign guide. Offline communications entail the use of posters in public spaces such as bus shelters, news-stands, nurseries, gyms, pools and other places where they are likely to be seen, as well as the distribution of flyers at markets and school entrances.
Outcome
Since 2014, the Municipal Government in Paris has received over 21,000 ideas from participants. A total of 1,345 projects have been selected, with more than 3,400 projects completed. The budget allocated amounts to 768 million euros, including 263 million euros (34%) directed to working-class neighbourhoods.