Participatory budgeting is an operation model where citizens determine the use of a certain amount of money with ideation and a vote. During the idea period, the citizens may submit their ideas for enhancing the wellbeing and comfort of Oulu's citizens. All ideas offered will be evaluated and all feasible ideas are put to vote. By voting, the citizens determine which ideas are realized.
All 13-year-old or older citizens of Oulu are eligible to vote. The city is responsible for realization of the winning ideas. The aim of participatory budgeting is to increase chances to influence and participate for the citizens as well as promote dialogue between the city and its citizens.
In Finland and internationally, participatory budgeting is a way to promote the citizens’ more comprehensive participation in the use of the city’s resources. In Oulu, participatory budgeting has been implemented since 2018.
Follow the progression of participatory budgeting on osallistu.ouka.fi
Participatory Budgeting 2024
The city of Oulu’s participatory budgeting began on Monday January 15, 2024. The idea period lasts for two weeks and ends on January 28.
This time we are realizing the ideas of Oulu’s citizens with a more than tripled budget than before. This year the citizens will come up with ideas and decide by vote how the city will spend 240 000 € to enhance well-being and comfort in Oulu.
The idea period on 2024 was held between January 15-28. We received over 500 ideas. All sent ideas can be seen on the Osallistu Oulu website.
On the Osallistu Oulu website you may inspect all presented ideas and even comment on them. After the idea period, the city will respond to all presented ideas.
After the idea period, all ideas that meet the participatory budgeting criteria and are realizable are further developed into voting proposals with city experts and different operators.
In May, the citizens of Oulu can decide by vote which proposals are realized. Based on the voting result, the city will realize the proposals that received the most votes that fit into the 240 000 € budget. The voting period will last from May 6 to May 19. The voting will be held on the Osallistu Oulu website.
The goal of participatory budgeting is to increase the citizens’ possibilities to influence and participate as well as to increase dialogue between the city and its citizens. Participatory budgeting is funded by the nation’s welfare and health promotion fund divided among municipalities.