Brazil (participatory budgeting example)

Participatory budgeting is a democratic process where community members directly decide how to allocate part of a city's budget. A notable example is in Porto Alegre, Brazil, which began this innovative approach in the late 1980s. Residents engage in discussions and workshops to identify local needs and prioritize projects, such as schools, parks, or infrastructure improvements. This empowers citizens, enhances transparency, and ensures that resources are directed toward projects that reflect the community’s priorities, ultimately fostering civic engagement and improving local governance. Participatory budgeting has since been adopted by various cities around the world.