Councilwoman Suzie Price has announced that the launch of a groundbreaking participatory budgeting process for youth will enable young people to directly decide how to spend a portion of the City’s funds. Students from Third district middle school and high schools were selected to play a key role in this empowerment experiment.

Starting in April and lasting through June 2015, the Youth Committee will oversee the participatory budgeting process, alongside Third District staff and the Participatory Budgeting Project partner, according to the announcement. 

“This exciting process gives our youth real power over real money and serves as a model for cities around the country,” Councilwoman Suzie Price said in a statement.

Participatory Budgeting is a democratic process that gives the community the opportunity to decide how to spend a portion of the public budget. According to the release, the process is relatively new to the United States, while the White House has already recognized it as a best practice of civic engagement.

The Youth Participatory Budgeting Committee Kick-Off Meeting will be held on Thursday, April 23 at 6:00PM at the Third District Field Office, located at 340 Nieto.

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