Your money.
your say.
Your Bronx.

Participatory budgeting lets Bronx residents directly decide how public funds are spent in their neighborhoods.

What is PB

Democracy beyond
the ballot box.

Participatory budgeting (PB) is a democratic process that gives community members direct control over a portion of a public budget. Instead of elected officials deciding alone, residents propose, deliberate on, and vote for the projects they want funded.

New York City pioneered PB in the United States starting in 2011. Since then, it has spread to school districts, housing authorities, and city councils across the country, with the Bronx being one of the most active boroughs.

Founded
NYC adopted PB in 2011, one of the first US cities to do so.
Who decides
Any resident 11 or older can vote, regardless of citizenship or immigration status.
What gets funded
Parks, school supplies, street safety, senior centers, and more.
Scale
Over $300 million allocated to community-chosen projects in NYC since launch.

How it Works

Four steps.
Real results.

01

Ideas

Community members submit ideas for projects they want funded, from fixing broken sidewalks to adding after-school programs.

02

Proposals

Volunteer budget delegates work with city agencies to develop feasible, costed proposals from the submitted ideas.

03

Vote

Residents 11 and older vote on the proposals they want funded. Voting is open to all, regardless of citizenship status.

04

Implementation

Winning projects receive funding and are implemented by the relevant city agency. Residents track progress publicly.

Why it Matters

The Bronx deserves
a real seat at the table.

Low-income neighborhoods have historically had less influence over public spending decisions that directly affect their health and quality of life. PB changes that.

44%

of Bronx residents live below 200% of the federal poverty line

2x

higher hospitalization rates in low-income Bronx neighborhoods vs. wealthier ones

3x

increase in civic engagement reported in communities that participate in PB

"When communities control their budgets, they invest in what actually keeps them healthy."

Participatory Budgeting Project, 2023

Get Involved

Your vote is
more powerful than you think.

Voting in participatory budgeting is open to anyone 11 or older who lives, works, or goes to school in the district, regardless of citizenship or immigration status. No registration required.

When to vote
Voting is open May 6 – June 21, 2026. Vote before the deadline — every vote counts.
Where to vote
In-person voting sites across the Bronx, plus online at participate.nyc.gov.
What you need
Nothing. No ID, no registration, no citizenship required. Just show up.

Ready to shape
your neighborhood?

Voting is open through June 21, 2026. Cast your vote at the NYC CEC People's Money site.

The People's Money

This website is part of a research study at Children's Hospital at Montefiore. Your visit is tracked anonymously by QR code only. No personal information is collected. Anonymous data may be used for research.