City of Cambridge Participatory Budgeting

The 2024 Participatory Budgeting Results are In!

From March 7-17, 2024, a record 10,522 Cambridge residents age 12 and older voted how to spend $2 million on capital and operating projects to improve the community. This year’s record voter turnout represents more than a 20% increase in voter participation from the previous PB cycle! The winning projects were announced at Cambridge City Hall as part of a PB10 celebration.

The following 8 projects won $2,065,000 in fiscal year 2025 funding:

1. Free Menstrual Care and Infant Hygiene Products ($85,000)
2. Additional Supplies for Unhoused Residents ($50,000)
3. Expanding Space for Street Trees ($100,000)
4. Improve Safety for Pedestrians ($400,000)
5. Smart Traps for Rat Reduction ($360,000)
6. Smart Recycling and Trash Compactors ($120,000)
7. Shaded Seats on Hot Streets ($450,000)
8. Public Toilet for Park Upgrade ($500,000)

The full vote totals are detailed below: 

Below are the 20 projects on the PB10 ballot that were eligible for funding: 

1. Free Menstrual Care and Infant Hygiene Products ($85,000)
2. Expand Access to Free Public Wi-Fi in Inman Square ($75,000)
3. Expand Access to Veterinary Care for Seniors and Low-Income Communities ($200,000)
4. Add and Maintain Bike Repair Stations ($85,000)
5. Smart Recycling and Trash Compactors ($120,000)
6. Extend Weekend Hours at War Memorial Pools ($50,000)
7. Shaded Seats on Hot Streets ($450,000)
8. Tree and Community Garden Engagement Coordinator ($410,000)
9. Floating Bus Stops: Improved Safety for Cyclists and Bus Riders ($250,000)
10. Expanding Space for Street Trees ($100,000)
11. Additional Supplies for Unhoused Residents ($50,000)
12. Public Toilet for Park Upgrade ($500,000)
13. Teen Oasis at Donnelly Field ($400,000)
14. Build Two Bus Shelters ($400,000)
15. Let’s Help Cambridge Residents Buy Bicycles ($300,000)
16. Smart Traps for Rat Reduction ($360,000)
17. Sand Volleyball Court ($100,000)
18. Electric Vehicle Chargers ($350,000)
19. The Cambridge Women’s Heritage Project ($60,000)
20. Improve Safety for Pedestrians ($400,000)

The projects are listed in a random order.

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What is Participatory Budgeting?

Participatory Budgeting (PB) is a democratic process that empowers community members through civic engagement to decide how to spend part of a public budget. PB was first developed in Brazil in 1989 and is now used in over 1,500 cities around the world.

In Cambridge, PB aims to directly involve residents in the budgeting and city-building process, foster civic engagement and community spirit, and help ensure that the City’s budget reflects the priorities of Cambridge residents and local partners. Cambridge residents have allocated more than $7.5 million to PB projects since 2014. This 10^th PB cycle is special because Cambridge will allocate a record-high $2 million for this year’s process, which doubles the previous budget of $1 million. The types of projects eligible for funding this fiscal year will be expanded to include capital and operating projects.

Cambridge began its tenth PB process in the fall of 2023. From September through October, community members submitted more than 1,100 ideas for how to spend $2 million of the City's FY25 budget to improve Cambridge. Throughout the winter, volunteer residents reviewed and developed those ideas into proposals to meet community needs. The vote for this cycle will be open from March 7 through March 17, 2024. Visit the current PB cycle page to learn more about cycle 10 of PB.

PB Timeline Overview

Some website images are provided by the Participatory Budgeting Project.