This document outlines the participatory budgeting process in Bratislava-Nové Mesto (BANM). It describes the goals of participatory budgeting as achieving the best decisions based on democracy. It explains the three categories of projects that residents can propose and vote on: 1) small, innovative civic projects, 2) larger investment projects, and 3) priorities to guide future development. The document discusses the benefits of participatory budgeting for residents and the government, as well as some positive and negative experiences in implementing this process in BANM.

1. Participatory budgeting
Bratislava- Nové mesto (PB
BANM)
participacia@banm.sk
pr.banm.sk
Mgr. Mgr Peter Nedoroščík – psychologist &
philosopher
Mgr.Lukáš Bulko - philosopher
Bc. Martina Belanová - economist
Ing. Lenka Korbeľová - landscape architect
Ing. arch. Zuzana Krivošová PhD. - city planner
and urban designer

2. Participatory budgeting
Bratislava- Nové mesto (PB
BANM)
By the resolution of the council of city part BANM 22/16 and in line with the scientific
consensus on participatory budgeting from the WTO and the UN there are approved
rules of Participatory budgeting (PB) in Bratislava - Nové mesto (BANM).
Basic concepts:
Participation is the action of taking part in something. In this case of PB
it is paticipation in the design, approval, implementation and evaluation
of projects, assignments and priorities of PB (participatory budgeting).
The central point of the process of PB are finances from the budget
BANM of specified by the council BANM.
Goal is to achieve best decissions based on democracy.

3. 1. Projects - low
cost innovative
civic projects
3. Priorities –
affect a future
development of
city part BANM.
2. Assignments -
These are larger
investment plans,
which are to be
incorporated in
the budget
chapter of
planned
spending, or
government
investments in a
next year.

4. 1.
low cost innovative civic
projects aimed at self-
realization of innovative
ideas of citizens.
Ideas of the residents, dedicated to the public, social and innovative projects of the
development of the city. A significant proportion of involvement and own (voluntary) labor is
needed. (eg. workshops, minor revitalisation of public spaces,renovation of unused public
interiors or buildings, public-service bike rental, social activities including social inclusion of
minorities, testing, etc. ...)
The amount of allocated finance will be provided by council of BANM. Residents are requesting
them and decide how to implement them. The most effective way how to finance the civic
projects is to sent finances directly to the project submitters through the civic association. The
reason for such funding is that projects are very diverse, include many small financial items and
municipal office is not able to cater them flexibly. It may take the form of individual
contributions - "grant scheme" – and the money are provided directly into the hands of the
promoters of the project through the chosen NGO or a foundation.
Year 2014 – 25 000 €
2015 – 40 000 €

5. Project -
Gaudi workshop
Project – bus stop
educational boards

6. Project – revitalisation of Filialka
station

7. Project – Bike
point
Project – herbal
lawn

8. Project – school & community garden (for homless
and school kids)

9. 2. Assignments - These are larger investment plans, which are to be
incorporated in the budget chapter of planned spending, or government
investments in a next year. These are projects that require a larger
investment, or the people themselves are not able to realize by
themselves, but agree that this is an important thing and participate in the
preparation of project documentation. (eg. municipal pension for seniors,
selected repair of sidewalks and roads, creating a square, ...)
The amount of allocated finance council sets (percentage of the allocated
budget could correlate with percentage of involved residents), residents
propose and decide about them. Municipality of BANM incorporates this
money into planned investments for the year and implement them.
Year 2014 - 0 €
Year 2015 - 200 000 €
Participatory budgeting
Bratislava- Nové mesto (PB
BANM)

10. 3. Priorities – affect a future development of city part BANM.
This is a selection of general categories - the strongest needs,
the needs of residents, which can highlight new areas for
future development of BANM. There can also be included
potential assignments which exceeds the amount of funds
planned for the Assignments given next year. (eg. priority:
healthy eating, homelessness, social care,
greenery,environment, transparency, etc..)
Residents propose, discuss and vote them. Council selects top
priority for the upcoming year.
Participatory budgeting
Bratislava- Nové mesto (PB
BANM)

11. Main characteristics of the process:
PB is a process that has its cycle and is
repeated in time. A single survey on the
redistribution of finances is not PB.
The basis of the process is autonomy,
transparency, inclusivity, continuous
elaboration of incentives bottom and
regular meetings of communities of
residents who democratically discuss and
improve their proposals.

12. We organize several meetings with residents in every part of district Bratislava-Nové
Mesto during the year. Residents recieve the questionnaires where they can write their
ideas, ensue they discuss about the projects, key topics for projects and assignments.
All information and furher discussions could take place on internet: pr.banm.sk

14. The basic tool of decision-making is called deliberation - discussion
aimed at consensus = informed consent. (Voting is used only in cases
where deliberation failed for various reasons)

15. deliberation is also used for the so-called end of the
process
"Public consideration."
Public consideration: takes place during the voting week and concerns
mainly the proposed projects. Generally speaking, the decision
relates to this groups of people: those who are involved, those which
are directly affected by the new project proposal – stakeholders and
those who are interested in the decision for various reasons. In our
case:
- All residents BANM
- Project coordinator - promoter of the proposal, which decides in
different processes.
Another important criterion is the depth of information which forms
final decision - (dis)agreement. More the agreement is informed,
it may carry more weight. Based on these and other
considerations, we propose the following year PM weighting of
decisions:
- Public consideration of project coordinators - 50% of the final
order
- Online + physical vote of all residents of BANM - 50% of the
final order

16. Benefits for the Government:
Effectively meet the needs, priorities and wishes of the people -
the introduction of innovative and necessary services.
Revitalization of interesting or difficult spaces
Implementation of projects which are coming from real needs
and real wearer - population
Municipality will obtain more structured outputs from the public,
ad hoc outputs, as well as the possibility of a more flexible
flow of funds for the benefit of the public
Greater consistency between the decisions of elected
representatives and the actual needs of the population

17. Introducing of PB in BANM, positive and negative
experiences:Negative experiences:
Council of BANM:
Municipality sees it as political promo of the mayor, representatives feel
left out
Coordination process is too expensive (2 average posts are divided
into work of 5 people psychologist, philosopher, city planner and
urban designer, landscape architect, economist)
PB should be just a questionnaire on the allocation of finances as it is
in other self-governments, like Petržalka and Civil budget of
Bratislava municipality.
After the announcement of the winning projects for implementation
council of BANM froze them for two months to implement them,
because they thought they should decide, not the citizens.
Representatives did not believe that the selected projects are proposed
by people
We invited councilors at a joint meeting to clarify all ambiguities of
PB. The proposed dates were 3, but just 3 out of 25 councilors had
come.

18. Introducing of PB in BANM, positive and negative
experiences:
Local Authority:
Slowness in dealing with officialities and
bureaucracy
Weak in flexibility with innovative processes
Awareness and poor communication between the
different departments of the municipality
Implementation of projects:
Ownership of plots and proprieties
Failure of terms of project coordinators

19. Introducing of PB in BANM, positive and negative
experiences:
Positive experiences:
- residents can decide on their money, their taxes, their city
- the feeling that we can achieve the change and to turn our city
to better place to live
- innovative ideas and their implementation leads to further
activity of residents
- increasing the pride on our city, patriotism
- increasing number of involved residents
- connecting between communities - several projects crossing
the bariers between different communities
- rehabilitation of self-identification with the public matters