How to Green your PB processes
/Are you running a participatory budgeting (PB) event and want to do your bit to make a climate impact? Even if your event isn’t focused on Green PB, there’s still lots you can do - in fact all community events can make small changes to make a green impact.
Here’s some practical things to make your PB processes greener, and some things to think about too.
Meetings & Events
Where PB events (inc. deliberation, voting and feedback sessions) and planning group meetings are to be hosted, thought should be given to:
Venues – are they easily reached by public transport for the majority of individuals expected to attend, and/or in a relevant location to the communities involved where the majority of people would be able to walk, wheel or cycle there without experiencing accessibility issues?
Online Options/Alternatives - Could events be supplemented with online options/alternatives without increasing participation barriers? Does the venue have appropriate WiFi access to allow for additional online connections and/or real time voting/uploads during events?
Food/Refreshment Provision – where are provisions coming from, could they be sourced or provided from local suppliers/retailers. What will happen with any leftover provisions, can they safely be passed on to local organisations or food initiatives (inc. food banks and food drop-in centres). Avoid using single use cups and plates etc. where possible and if necessary, ensure that disposable materials are recyclable and that venues have appropriate recycling measures in place.
Materials – what materials will you need at the events, do these need to be paper or could you source other reusable products such as coins/buttons or iPads/tablets for voting and registering? – maybe these could be borrowed to reduce cost. If paper and other disposable materials are necessary, then again ensure that the materials are recyclable and that venues have appropriate recycling measures in place.
Communications/Press – how can you maximise exposure without using unnecessary materials and reducing waste? Are physical posters, leaflets and printed material necessary? Are there existing newsletters, bulletins, e-newsletters and networks that could be utilised including school community apps and popular local social media pages. Where printed materials are necessary where could they be best targeted to ensure best reach. Where printed materials are used, are they reusable or recyclable and as environmentally friendly as possible?
What can groups applying for funds do?
When promoting and encouraging project submissions for PB funds of any size or theme, it is recommended that, part of the submission process, applicants are asked to give consideration and specify where possible:
How their project and/or activities will be greener
How they will make their activities more environmentally friendly
What additional green benefits their activities could potentially provide.
How can you record the green impact?
When recording monitoring and feedback information, consideration is given to including some brief information on steps that were taken towards greening activities and any associated impacts from such activities. This will allow evidence to be collected for PB Green Seals or PB Green Badges.
