Participatory budgeting is a method in which residents get to plan and decide how tax revenues will be used. This year, the theme of Tampere’s participatory budgeting is the well-being of children and young people.

"We want to hear everyone’s suggestions on how the well-being of minors could be promoted in Tampere. We encourage everyone, from small children to senior citizens, to share their ideas. School classes, associations and other groups can also make suggestions. You can participate even if you don’t live in Tampere," says Planning Officer Lilli Siikasmaa.

You can share your ideas on the Mun Tampere website at External linkmun.tampere.fi , where they are visible to everyone.

These ideas can concern, for example, leisure activities, events or the safety and comfort of your surroundings. They can support daily life or promote togetherness.

"The City of Tampere has set aside EUR 450,000 for realising residents’ ideas. With this money, we want to promote well-being and happiness throughout the city, which is why we have distributed the money evenly across different regions. We have reserved EUR 70,000 for each district: Northeastern, Southeastern, Southern, Western and the City Centre. In addition, we have set aside EUR 100,000 for implementing ideas concerning the whole city," explains Project Planner Jari Mäkäläinen.

Participation in three stages

Tampere’s participatory budgeting will proceed in three stages. During the innovation stage (15 April – 15 May 2020), everyone can make suggestions on how to promote the well-being of Tampere residents under the age of 18. Ideas can be submitted to the mun.tampere.fi website.

These ideas will be further developed into feasible plans in open workshops from 17 August to 11 September 2020. In November, Tampere residents will vote and decide which plans will be put into practice. All residents aged 12 or older (including those turning 12 this year) will have a chance to vote.

The City of Tampere is committed to putting the winning plans into practice during 2021.