Participatory Budget ‘I’m Part!’, Valongo

Description

The Participatory Budget I’m Part! is an active citizenship initiative implemented in the Municipality of Valongo, with the aim of involving employees in the management of resources. Employees with an indefinite civil service contract and in effective exercise of their duties can propose and deliberate on a part of the municipal budget to improve their quality of life in the workplace.
The process starts with the proposal phase, during which employees are invited to submit their ideas, suggestions and proposals for improvement. Subsequently, a responsible team analyses the submitted proposals, which, once validated, move on to the voting phase, allowing employees to have the opportunity to choose the ideas they consider most important, and then the most voted proposal is implemented.
With five editions, I’m Part! has already established itself as an important tool for internal democracy, transparency and inclusion.

Partners

Not Applied.

Beneficiaries

The Municipality of Valongo employees.

Details

The Participatory Budget "I’m Part!" represents a groundbreaking initiative that can significantly contribute to the acceleration of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) implementation and effectively address interlinkages at the local level. By involving municipal employees in the decision-making process and resource allocation, the initiative fosters active citizenship, strengthens internal democracy, promotes transparency, and fosters inclusivity. Through its unique approach, "I’m Part!" has the potential to advance various SDGs and create a positive impact on the municipality's overall development. First and foremost, the initiative directly aligns with SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. By engaging employees in proposing and deliberating on the municipal budget, "I’m Part!" empowers individuals to have a say in decisions that affect their workplace and quality of life. This participation builds a sense of ownership and accountability, which, in turn, can lead to a more peaceful and just working environment. Through this participatory budgeting process, the municipality of Valongo also exemplifies SDG 5: Gender Equality. By encouraging equal participation and decision-making opportunities for all employees, regardless of gender, the initiative contributes to breaking down traditional gender norms and promoting a more inclusive work environment. "I’m Part!" goes beyond simply implementing SDGs in a siloed manner. Its participatory and inclusive approach recognizes the interlinkages among the goals and encourages a holistic understanding of sustainable development. Employees become actively engaged in considering how their proposals and decisions can contribute to multiple SDGs simultaneously. This kind of integrated thinking is crucial for achieving the 2030 Agenda and ensuring that no one is left behind. In conclusion, the Participatory Budget "I’m Part!" is a powerful tool for accelerating SDG implementation in the Municipality of Valongo. By involving employees in decision-making processes, the initiative fosters a sense of ownership and collective responsibility for sustainable development. Its inclusive and participatory approach promotes peace, justice, and strong institutions, while also contributing to sustainable cities and communities and partnerships for the goals. Moreover, it exemplifies gender equality and enhances awareness of interlinkages among the SDGs. Through "I’m Part!", Valongo sets a remarkable example of how local actions can effectively contribute to global sustainability efforts.

Additional information

Goal 16

Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

Government

Promote inclusive, participatory, responsible and accountable multilevel governance leading to global action

Involve the scientific-community, civil society and local communities in the policy and decision making

Contribute to the strengthening of multilateralism through a meaningful engagement in global agendas and representation in decision making bodies

People

Guarantee equal rights and opportunities for all and respect and celebrate diversity.

Promote informed citizen participation in public life and decision-making

Focus on human development with culture, creativity & quality of life

Foster open, accessible and verifiable information and data to promote inclusion, education and communication.

A list of proposals: The process allows for the listing of all proposals submitted by municipal officials. The catalogue is a tangible representation of the diversity of proposals and a key resource during the subsequent voting phase.

Voting Platform: To facilitate the voting phase, a dedicated online or in-person voting platform was developed and implemented. This platform allow employees with indefinite civil service contracts and in effective exercise of their duties to cast their votes for the proposals they consider most important. The voting process is user-friendly, transparent, and secure, ensuring that each vote is accurately recorded and counted.

Implementation Report: Once the most voted proposal is identified, a detailed implementation report will be created. This report will outline the necessary steps, budget allocation, and timeline required to execute the chosen project successfully.

Impact Assessment Study: A comprehensive impact assessment study will be conducted. This study will measure the outcomes and benefits of the project on the workplace's quality of life and other relevant aspects. It will analyze the project's effectiveness in achieving its intended goals and any unintended positive or negative consequences. The findings of this study will inform future iterations of the "Iâm Part!" initiative and guide decision-making for subsequent participatory budgeting processes.

Final Deliverable: The final deliverable of the "Iâm Part!" initiative will be the successful implementation of the most voted proposal. This tangible outcome will represent the collective decision of the municipal employees on how a part of the municipal budget should be allocated to improve their quality of life in the workplace. The chosen proposal will directly contribute to the betterment of the work environment and the well-being of the employees. The successful execution of the chosen proposal demonstrates the effectiveness of the participatory budgeting process in promoting internal democracy, transparency, and inclusion. It can also serve as a model for other municipalities and organizations seeking to enhance employee engagement and contribute to SDG implementation at the local level. Additionally, will provide valuable insights and lessons learned, further enriching the participatory budgeting process.

Staff / Technical expertise

The resource of "Staff/Technical expertise" in the "I'm Part!" initiative refers to the valuable knowledge, skills, and capabilities possessed by the municipality's employees. These individuals, with their diverse professional backgrounds and experiences, bring specialized expertise to the table. Their understanding of the municipality's operations, challenges, and potential solutions is instrumental in formulating well-informed and practical proposals during the participatory budgeting process. By tapping into this resource, the initiative harnesses the collective intelligence of the workforce to address specific issues and implement projects that can lead to tangible improvements in the workplace and contribute to the overall sustainable development of the municipality.