The Valongo Youth Participatory Budget (OPJV) is an active citizenship process that allows citizens aged 6 to 35 to get involved in the decision-making process, proposing and deliberating on a portion of the municipal budget. It allows young people to present their concerns, learn to negotiate, debate, articulate, formulate opinions, bring generations together, develop critical thinking, contribute to solving the problems of their land, while monitoring the use of municipal resources and acquiring democratic values. It has four categories – schools, out-of-school, generations, and green, and the winning projects (10,000 euros each) are implemented in the same year. Dissemination is done on social networks, face-to-face dissemination sessions are held in the municipality’s educational institutions. The technical analysis of the applications is done by a multidisciplinary team made up of technicians from the various municipal services. In this edition (10th) the global OPJV is 250 000€. We intend to maintain this project.
Youngters aged from 6 until 35
PB can address poverty and inequality by prioritizing the allocation of resources to projects that directly benefit marginalized and vulnerable communities. When citizens have a say in budget decisions, they can advocate for initiatives that address their specific needs, leading to more equitable distribution of resources.
PB can lead to increased investments in education, as citizens recognize the importance of quality education for the development of their communities. More resources can be allocated to improve school facilities, teacher training, and educational programs.
PB can empower women and promote gender equality by ensuring that projects that address the specific needs of women and girls are considered and funded. Women's participation in the decision-making process can also increase, leading to more gender-responsive policies and projects.
By involving citizens directly in budget decision-making, participatory budgeting can lead to more inclusive and sustainable development. It enables local communities to identify their own priorities, encourages responsible resource management, and ensures that public funds are allocated to projects that align with the needs and aspirations of the people, contributing to the achievement of sustainable development goals at the grassroots level.
The main evidences of this project can be found in its specif website: https://opjv.cm-valongo.pt/
