People’s Budget working group

This fall, the People’s Budget Office is bringing together a working group to reimagine Philadelphia’s budget process. Spurred by the lack of opportunities to shape the budget from its inception, we want to imagine and manifest new pathways for community ownership in the municipal budget process. 

It’s important to us that this imaginative project begins with collective learning. The working group will be made up of neighbors, artists, activists, advocates, and legislative actors. Together, we will learn from experts in the field, dig into global participatory budgeting lessons, and dream up new ways of public participation in the budget process.

The commitment is six meetings between Sept-Dec, held at the People’s Budget Office at BOK. Sessions will mix traditional research—reading, writing, and discussion—with experimental approaches like theater, visual mapping, and other playful tools for exploring the budget.

Details

  • Application due August 27

  • Honorarium for participation is available (for non-city employees)

  • Meetings will be held in person at the People’s Budget Office at BOK, 1901 S. 9th Street, Room 209 (unless noted otherwise)

Schedule 

Wednesday 9/17, 6:00 - 8:00 pm

Meet the cohort, refresh your Philly budget knowledge, and learn about participatory budgeting.

Sunday, 9/28, 1:00 - 4:00 pm

Learn about participatory budgeting across the globe and the U.S., listen to guest speakers share their expertise on participatory budgeting. Small groups will research specific examples for the next meeting. 

Wednesday, 10/15, 6:00 - 8:00 pm

Group presentations on participatory budgeting from across the U.S. and the globe.

Sunday, 10/26, 1:00 - 4:00 pm

Learn from participatory budget examples to help design a new process for Philadelphia’s City Budget. The group may use different methods such as theater and visual mapping.

Wednesday, 11/12, 6:00 - 8:00 pm

Continue to design a pathway for community input in Philadelphia’s budget process. 

Sunday, 11/23, 1:00 - 4:00 pm

Rehearse a public presentation that reflects our research and proposal for participatory budgeting.

A public presentation will be scheduled for December, 2025.

FAQ

  • These sessions will focus on learning about equitable municipal budgeting practices. We will learn from cities in the US and internationally, examining their processes, how participation is enshrined in their budget process, and what lessons we want to bring to Philadelphia. 

    The People’s Budget Office is made up of artists and facilitators, so we will be using creative methodologies. This might include participatory role-play, visual mapping, peer-facilitation, and traditional research.

    • BOK is a wheelchair accessible building with a ramp on Mifflin Street. There are two public elevators available to take to our studio located on the second floor, or two flights of stairs. Depending on group capacity or interest some meetings may take place online on zoom

    • We will provide snacks/food and will ask for dietary restrictions in the confirmation survey. 

    • We will survey the group ahead of time to set agreed-upon covid safety protocols

    • We may be able to provide childcare or a childcare stipend; please note in your application if this would make your participation possible

    • For full participation, it is helpful to have your own laptop/tablet or other internet access in between sessions.

  • We have room for 15 paid participants and will offer an additional 10 non-paid positions. If you are interested in one of the non-paid positions, please indicate that on your application. 

    • Participants will be paid in two installments

    • Stipend will be dependent upon number of sessions attended

    • Unfortunately due to city regulations as an entity within Mural Arts Philadelphia, we are not able to pay City of Philadelphia employees; however, we welcome participation from city employees and would love to chat if you have questions!

  • Hopefully not! The future is always uncertain, but our goal is for this to be the first test flight of this model. We are excited to see what develops with this first cohort, and to continue to learn together, in order to be able to expand this research in the future.