Building a new relationship
Welcome to the very first RVAPB newsletter. We talk about the importance of trust, opportunities to get involved, and things that inspire us.
We wanted to start this very first Richmond People’s Budget Newsletter with a heartfelt Welcome. We see this space as an extension of the work we are doing in every neighborhood and on every street, talking to the people that live here, and listening to their ideas, vision, and hopes for the future of the city. We are grateful you are here. Feel free to share and invite others to subscribe.
In order to realize that future, we need to build a new relationship between the people that live in Richmond and the local government. One based on trust. Recognizing that trust is hard to give and easy to loose, this means following through on our promises, being honest about our failures, and communicating why decisions are made. It is about being accountable and transparent to everyone that lives in the city. Richmond People’s Budget is committed to this so that we can take a step toward rebuilding trust.
What is PB? (No, it is not Peanut Butter)
It is pretty simple. The Richmond People’s Budget is using a process called Participatory Budgeting. It gives the people living in Richmond control over a small piece of the City budget to spend in their neighborhoods. It does this over a year by gathering ideas, creating proposals based on those ideas, and then having the community vote on the projects they see as being important. Once this engagement is done, we then implement those projects, evaluate efforts thus far, and plan for next steps. Then the cycle beings again and we continue to do these same steps. Over and over again. Exercising and strengthening our community engagement and democracy muscles.
These efforts have a rich 30 year history. It started in Brazil and has spread around the world. Every city does it a little different. Guided by the Richmond Participatory Budgeting Commission, PB has uniquely Richmond form.
Come to our Kick Off Event
Mark your calendar for September 9th as we invite community and City Council, partners and City Staff, to join us for the Richmond People’s Budget Kick Off.
Where: Abner Clay Park - Brook Rd, Richmond, VA 23220
Time: 1-2:30pm
Highlights of the Richmond People’s Budget
1) Participation is 14 years old and up. Yep, we want to make sure our youth have a voice in this process.
2) We are balancing equity and equality. Each Council District will get $200,000, but there is also an equity budget to make sure we invest in parts of the city that deserve more funding.
3) The first process will start this September and run through the Spring 2025.
More can be found at https://www.rvapb.org/resources
You can get involved RIGHT NOW!!!
1) Submit an idea
We are already accepting ideas. Go to https://www.rvapb.org/ and click the big orange “Participate” button at the top of the page to tell us how you would make your neighborhood better.
2) Participate in a focus group
We are always working to make this process right for the community. Help us Help you by participating in an hour and a half long conversation to share your thoughts on how this process can best work for Richmond. Email us at info@rvapb.org to play a role.
Cool things that are inspiring us.
1) Re-designing Democracy with Shari Davis Video
This is an inspiring video of Participatory Budgeting Project Director Shari Davis, talking about how we can make democracy work of us once again.
2) PB Durham
Richmond’s closest sister PB process is in Durham. They have been an amazing resource for us and just finished their 3rd cycle. Show them some love.
Our friends at RVADirt have been surveying candidates running for office this fall. During week 4 they asked about community engagement and guess what popped up? RVAPB!! Check out the responses.
Follow us on instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rvapeoplesbudget
Invite us to an event, present at a meeting, go for a walk, grab a cup of coffee, or got a question, just email us at info@rvapb.org
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If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.
Lilla Watson - Aboriginal Artist
