Participatory budgeting
Find out more about the funding available and how to apply.
What is Participatory Budgeting?
Participatory budgeting (often shortened as PB) is a way for people to directly vote on how local money should be spent. It comes in all shapes and size, but normally involves members of the community voting on how to spend part of the budget of a public body, such as a local council.
It's happening across Scotland and is used alongside other models of community engagement and empowerment. It gives local people the opportunity to identify and discuss what matters to them in their communities and vote on their priorities.
Find out more about Participatory Budgeting
Read about our PB framework for East Renfrewshire Council
What is Grant Making PB?
In 2024, Grant-making Participatory Budgeting (PB) was delivered in 6 areas; Barrhead, Neilston, Thornliebank, Busby, Eaglesham and Mearns Village and surrounding areas. In addition to this, Food Growing Participatory Budgeting was also open to community groups and projects across East Renfrewshire.
Steering Groups of local volunteers came together to design and deliver PB events which reflected local needs and priorities.
In total £170,000 of funding was distributed to local community and voluntary groups resulting in:
- over 2600 residents having a say in how funding was distributed in their community
- almost 16200 votes being cast for local projects
- 108 local community and voluntary groups receiving a share of the total funds available
Grant making PB funds have reached a variety of community groups and initiatives, including projects who provide;
- recreation, sports and fitness activities
- activities for children and young people
- activities for people with additional support needs
arts and drama activities
activities for older people
- health & wellbeing activities
- early years activities
Evaluation and feedback is currently underway to hear the difference that this funding is making in local communities.
Find out more about PB funding on our Get Involved consultation hub.
Green Participatory budgeting
Green PB is a way for people to make direct decisions about how budgets are spent addressing climate change and reducing our carbon footprints. It can be about the entire PB processes delivering green aims, or parts of a PB process that make a climate impact.
Find out more about Green Participatory Budgeting
If you are interested in Green PB, we're looking for volunteers who live anywhere within East Renfrewshire to form a Steering /Planning Group for this, specifically around food projects. In total, £20,000 has been allocated to communities across East Renfrewshire to benefit.
The Community Learning & Development (CLD) Team, alongside Linking Communities will provide ongoing training and support to local residents and steering groups.
Mearns News
Mearns Matters Participatory Budgeting for 2024 is now closed.
Mearns Matters PB Steering Group invited everyone you lives, works or attends a group in Mearns Village and the surrounding area to vote for where they thought funding should go in their community.
Mearns Matters PB-Voting Eligibility: Geographical Boundray Map
Please note: The area indicated within the blue line is where the fund was focused.
Supported by East Renfrewshire Community Learning and Development Team.
Busby News
Bringing Busby Together Participatory Budgeting 2024 is now closed.
Bringing Busby Together PB Steering Group invited everyone you lives, works or studies in
Busby to vote for where they thought funding should go in their community.
Supported by East Renfrewshire Council Community Learning and Development Team
Eaglesham News
Enjoy Eaglesham - You Decide Participatory Budgeting Applications for 2024 now closed.
Enjoy Eaglesham invited residents who live in Eaglesham, with an idea for a group or a project that could benefit the local community to apply for £250 to £1,500.
Food for Thought
Applications for 2024 now closed
£20,000 has been allocated to distribute to local food growing community groups and activities across East Renfrewshire in the first PB in East Renfrewshire with a focus on food growing.
