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Trust in institutions is fragile, and many communities feel disconnected from decisions that shape their daily lives. Participatory budgeting offers one way to rebuild that trust. Across the world, citizen budgets are changing how residents and local government work together. From small towns to large cities, people are being invited to decide directly how portions of public money are spent – revitalising parks, improving infrastructure, and funding community projects. This approach strengthens local engagement and encourages a shared sense of responsibility.
Learning from Poland’s success
Poland provides a useful example. More than 400 municipalities now run citizen budgets, with participation growing steadily. These initiatives are not symbolic – they are legally mandated, well-funded, and built into the democratic process. Citizens propose and vote on projects, and the results are visible in their neighbourhoods. The system is transparent, accessible, and encourages collaboration.
Poland’s model shows that participatory budgeting can succeed in diverse governance systems. It supports civic education, builds trust between residents and local authorities, and helps people see the value of collective decision-making. Importantly, it brings together different generations, income groups, and political views through shared priorities and tangible outcomes.
The English context: a missed opportunity?
In England, participatory budgeting has been explored only occasionally, often as short-term pilots or within regeneration programmes. The Local Government Association has long promoted citizen involvement, particularly in relation to devolution and public service reform, yet the approach remains limited. Some councils have trialled it successfully, often where strong voluntary and community networks exist, but it has not been widely adopted. Budget pressures, political caution, and lack of awareness have all contributed.
Pride in Place is a step forward, but not enough
The government’s Pride in Place programme, announced in September 2025, represents a significant investment – £5 billion over ten years to improve high streets, parks, and public spaces in 339 neighbourhoods across the UK. Of these, 169 areas will receive £2 million annually for a decade, while 95 others will get an immediate £1.5 million. Local people are promised a say in how the money is spent, supported by new powers to reclaim derelict buildings and restrict certain business uses.
This is an important step towards community-led decision-making. However, its reach is limited to specific areas, mainly those with higher levels of deprivation. While the focus is understandable, it risks creating uneven access to participation – where some communities have a voice in spending decisions while others do not.
Why now is the time for universal participatory budgeting?
With growing emphasis on place-based regeneration, levelling up, and community wealth building, participatory budgeting fits well with current national priorities. But to make a real difference, it needs to move beyond pilot projects and targeted schemes. Every local area – urban or rural, prosperous or less so – could benefit from a dedicated citizen budget.
It can:
Digital tools make the process easier to run and scale, and many councils already have the foundations to build on.
How can we move beyond Pride in Place?
The Pride in Place programme provides a foundation for wider adoption, but it should not be the limit. To achieve universal participatory budgeting, central and local government could:
Participatory budgeting is not a complete solution, but it is a practical tool to deepen local democracy and deliver visible results. England has the capability, the policy environment, and the community interest to make it work. The next step is to decide how far we are willing to go to make citizen-led decision-making part of everyday local governance.
So, what would it take for participatory budgeting to become a standard feature of local democracy in England?
By Marcin Szczech – Principal Regeneration Officer North Yorkshire Council and a member of the iED
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