Doña Ana Communities United

Participatory Budgeting

Empowering Voices, Strengthening Democracy

Participatory budgeting is a democratic initiative that empowers community members to play a direct role in determining how a portion of public funds is spent. Participants have the opportunity to propose and vote on projects, ensuring that the budget reflects the collective priorities and needs of the community.

At Doña Ana Communities United, we believe that those whose voices and stories go unheard deserve a seat at the table when decisions about public resources are made. Participatory budgeting transforms the traditional top-down approach to government spending into a community-driven process where everywhere has the power to shape their neighborhood’s future.

Our Approach: Planting Seeds of Democracy

We partner with schools to implement participatory budgeting, working closely with educators and student leaders to bring democratic decision-making into educational settings. This initiative no helps schools decide how to allocate funds effectively but also plants the seeds of democracy by involving students, teachers, and parents in the decision-making process. It encourages the importance of voting and empower voices that are often unheard, fostering a deeper understanding of democratic participation and community engagement.

Why Schools?

Schools are the perfect starting ground for participatory budgeting because they:

• Build civic habits early: Students learn that their voices matter and their participation can create real change
• Engage families: Parents and caregivers become active participants in their children’s educational environment
• Strengthen communities: Schools serve as neighborhood anchors where diverse community members can come together
• Create lasting impact: Young people who experience participatory budgeting become lifelong advocates for democratic participation

How Participatory Budgeting Work

Our Participatory budgeting process follow these key steps:

1. Learn About the Process
   • We educate participants about the participatory budgeting and how their voice will make a difference.
2. Share Ideas
   • Community members/students brainstorm projects that would benefit their school or community.
3. Develop Proposals
   • Participants work together to turn the best ideas into concrete, actionable proposals.
4. Vote
   • Everyone votes on which proposals should receive funding.
5. Implement and Celebrate
   • The winning projects are implemented, and the community celebrates their collective achievement.

Connect with Our Participatory Budgeting Work

Participatory budgeting is part of our broader commitment to building genuine relationships, carrying out uplifting projects, and engaging with local government to empower community members to advocate for positive change in their neighborhoods and beyond.

We are actively seeking funding and school partners to expand participatory budgeting throughout Doña Ana County. Whether you’re an educator interested in bringing participatory budgeting to your school, a community member who wants to get involved, or a potential funder or partner, we invite you to connect with us.

Contact Us: Email us at paty@dacommunitiesunited.org to learn more about participatory budgeting opportunities or to explore partnership possibilities.