Participatory Budgeting Albuquerque-D6 Councilor Rogers

Participatory Budgeting Albuquerque-(PBABQ) 

District 6 Councilor Rogers

Recentering Community Voice and Creating a Truly Participatory Democracy in ABQ

Participatory budgeting (PB) is a democratic process enabling community members to decide the allocation of public funds.  It gives communities real power over real money. 

PBABQ began as a collaboration between students and faculty from the University of New Mexico and community members, researching how public money can be use for care rather than harm.  PBABQ has been organizing since November of 2023, with special interest in PB's ability to uplift marginalized communities.

In February 2024, District 6 City Councilor Nichole Rogers allocated $1.5 million to launch a participatory budgeting (PB) pilot program, collaborating with the University of New Mexico and local community members to co-design the process. Over several months, 243 project ideas were submitted, which were refined and developed into proposals with help from the community and city departments. In 2025, the community will vote on the final projects, with the winning proposals set for construction by May 2027.

PBABQ's Goals

Albuquerque residents have long been out of the conversation when it comes to their communities budgeting process, we want to change that.

• Platform Marginalized Voices
• Promote Equitable Public Spending
• Foster Stronger Civil Society and Community Empowerment
• Develop New Community Leaders
• Foster Innovation in Addressing Local Challenges
• Amplify the City's Values of Diversity, Equity and Inclusive Governance