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 well-being 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
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.
Participatory Budgeting 2025
Citizens of Oulu may offer their ideas between January 13–26 on how the city should spend 240 000 €.
After the ideation phase, all the ideas that fit the Participatory Budgeting criteria and are implementable will be further developed into voting proposals with the city’s specialists and different operators.
Later in the spring, the citizens of Oulu get to decide by vote which proposals the city will implement. The city will implement the proposals that receive the most votes and fit into the budget of 240 000 €.