Empowering Communities Through Participatory Budgeting in Tacoma, WA

The Challenge

Tacoma faced several hurdles in achieving equitable public resource allocation:

1. Limited Public Engagement: Residents felt disconnected from budget decisions, reducing trust in local governance.

2. Resource Inequities: Certain neighborhoods reported underfunding for essential services and infrastructure.

3. Lack of Awareness: Many citizens were unaware of how the city budget impacted their daily lives.

Our Approach

1. Community-Centered Planning

   • Held focus groups in diverse neighborhoods to understand residents’ priorities.

   • Identified underrepresented communities and tailored outreach strategies to engage them.

2. Capacity Building

   • Trained municipal officials and community leaders on best practices in participatory budgeting.

   • Designed accessible workshops to educate residents about the budgeting process.

3. Digital and In-Person Engagement

   • Launched an online platform allowing residents to submit and vote on budget proposals.

   • Complemented digital tools with in-person voting events at community centers and schools.

4. Transparency and Feedback

   • Published detailed budget proposals and updates online to ensure transparency.

   • Provided feedback to residents on how their input influenced final decisions.

Key Outcomes

• Increased Civic Engagement:

  • Over 4,500 residents participated in the budgeting process, a 60% increase compared to previous public forums.

  • Participation rates were highest in historically underrepresented neighborhoods.

• Equitable Resource Allocation:

  • Approved funding for 25 community-driven projects, including park renovations, after-school programs, and pedestrian safety improvements.

  • Allocated $2.5 million to projects directly benefiting underserved areas.

• Enhanced Transparency:

  • Regular updates on project implementation were shared via newsletters, town halls, and social media, building trust in local government.

• Strengthened Community Ties:

  • Residents reported feeling more connected to their communities and optimistic about their role in shaping Tacoma’s future.

Featured Projects Funded Through PB:

1. Youth Arts Program: A $250,000 initiative to provide art education and mentorship to at-risk youth.

2. Community Garden Expansion: A $150,000 investment in urban agriculture to improve food security.

3. Traffic Safety Upgrades: A $500,000 project to install crosswalks and speed-reduction measures in high-risk areas.

Lessons Learned

1. Accessibility Drives Inclusion: Providing multiple ways to participate—both online and in-person—helped ensure diverse community engagement.

2. Clear Communication is Key: Transparent updates fostered trust and encouraged ongoing participation.

3. Tailored Outreach Maximizes Impact: Targeting historically marginalized communities with specific initiatives was essential for equitable outcomes.

Future Directions

Following the success of this initiative, GMPRC plans to partner with additional municipalities to expand participatory budgeting practices. Future research will focus on integrating PB into long-term planning and exploring its impact on social cohesion.