PB Framework

The Strategic Group recommend the following overarching definition of PB: “participatory budgeting (PB) is a democratic process in which citizens decide directly how to spend part of a public budget.

The Strategic Group recommend that the links between the National Performance Framework, community empowerment and PB are made much more explicit.

We recommend that PB is constantly tested against a broader ambition of ensuring that our democracy is addressing and constantly responding to the exclusion of marginalised groups right across representative and participatory democracy.

The Strategic Group recommends the development of a continuous learning culture which includes evaluation, shared practice and systematic learning.

The Strategic Group encourages the Scottish Government to identify opportunities to hold PB processes directly - initial opportunities exist around tackling the climate challenge.

The Strategic Group recommends we evidence the long term impact of PB processes and the benefit of empowered participation in a range of areas.

The Strategic Group finds the best role for PB in a cross-cutting issue of climate justice with a focus on a Just Transition with opportunities for participation in tackling climate change.

The Strategic Group recommends we lead the way to develop PB that compliments and supports equalities and rights based budgeting to achieve better outcomes.

We focus on how public sector partners can use PB to collaborate and work more effectively.

The Strategic Group supports the use of PB to create opportunities for direct participation in decisions around sustainable transport

The Strategic Groups supports the recommendation of the Independent Review of Adult Social Care in Scotland for better participation in decision making.

The Strategic Group supports high quality PB processes in education where everyone can contribute equally.

The Strategic Group encourages a focus on developing PB further in secondary schools, building on good participatory practice in primary schools

The Strategic Groups advocates for the ongoing development of PB as a tool to address challenges of poverty and inequality experienced by children.

The Strategic Groups recommends the use of PB processes as a mechanism for housing providers to engage with their tenants and the wider community.

The Strategic Group recommends we develop ways to include PB within efforts to end homelessness; believing that this is best done through a co-productive approach.