This month’s newsletter will cover

• a few PB project updates

• ANOTHER learning exchange in Durham NC

• some cool events happening around the city

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Project Updates

At the time of writing this 7 of the 33 projects are fully completed with a handful of projects slated to be completed in the coming months. All project statuses can be found on the homepage of our website, on our trackers which we will continue to update at least once a month.

Additionally, we’re doing project site visits - to EACH site. We will be documenting these visits on our socials and YouTube channel.

Ribbon Cuttings

As the cycle 1 projects come to life we will be organizing small-scale ‘block party’ style events to celebrate the fact that Richmond has, for the first time ever, run a participatory budgeting process and now the community can start seeing real impact! We are currently planning to do our first ribbon cutting ceremony at the newly installed Kroger Lombardy bus shelter 😤!

The ribbon cuttings will take place at project location sites and will be free and open to the public! Follow our socials and check our website for announcements.

PB Durham learning exchange

Last week, on a short visit to Durham, Matthew meet up with our friends at PBDurham. Carmen Ortiz has been leading efforts there and they are in the planning stages of their 5th participatory budgeting cycle. PB Durham has been a key ally and supporter since the beginning of RVAPB, providing valuable insights and helpful tips to make sure our work in Richmond a success.

Highlights from Durham:

• They reached 17,000 people in their last voting cycle.

• They are building out a new Office of Engagement to coordinate efforts across the city.

• They love the RVAPB branding/communications (shout out to Miles!)

804 Day

804 Day is a MASSIVE block party in the heart of Shockoe Bottom with live music, games and food vendors happening on Saturday August 1st best part… it’s FREE!

National Night Out

National Night Out is a countrywide annual event designed to strengthen neighborhood spirit and police‐community partnerships. This year’s NNO takes place on… Tuesday, August 4th (8/04/2026) 😉

We kept it short and sweet for this month’s edition - as always, our deepest thanks for following us on this journey to envisioning and building a better Richmond! Do us a favor and forward this email to someone you think should come to 804 Day or National Night Out!