Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making.
The Problem Residents wanted more say over how money was spent in their neighbourhoods.
The Move They Made Barcelona ran its first city-wide participatory budget from February 2020. Residents aged 14 and over proposed, prioritised and voted on neighbourhood projects through Decidim.Barcelona, the city's open-source participation platform, or at in-person support points. The plan was for €75 million; the pandemic reduced it to €30 million, divided among the ten districts.
The Proof Residents submitted 1,982 proposals, of which 823 passed technical checks and 204 reached the final vote. In June 2021, 39,433 people cast 55,076 votes, and 76 projects were selected. Across all stages, 64,571 people took part. The city later reported that 72 of the projects were carried out. A second edition, also worth €30 million, runs from 2024 to 2027.
Your Move Barcelona's residents decided on real money, under rules set in advance, and the results were published afterwards. Do all three, or the process is for show.
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