City of Cambridge Participatory Budgeting

The City of Cambridge launched the 10th Cycle of Participatory Budgeting and collected over 1,100 ideas from the community between September 11 – October 9, 2023, about how to spend $2 million on projects to improve Cambridge. From October 2023 through January 2024, volunteer PB Delegates researched all submitted project ideas and developed the final proposals for the PB ballot. Between March 7-17, 2024, 10,522 Cambridge residents age 12 and older voted to decide how to allocate City funding to address community needs. 

The City allocated 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 were expanded to include capital and operating projects.

PB Cycle 10 Results

The following 8 projects won $2,065,000 in FY25 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)

Thank you to the 10,522 Cambridge residents that voted this year, setting a new Cambridge PB turnout record! The full vote totals are outlined below.

The 20 projects that were on the PB10 ballot are listed below:

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. Extended 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 (Smart Boxes) ($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)

Projects are listed in random order.

Proposal Development

From October 2023 - February 2024, 70+ PB Delegates will work in four committees to research, assess, and prioritize all of the submitted ideas and develop the final proposals for the March 2024 PB ballot.

Read the PB10 Delegate Guidebook to find out more about the proposal development process.

PB10 timeline: 

• September 11 - October 9, 2023 - Submit your PB ideas!
• October 2023 - February 2024 - Volunteer PB delegates will work in committees to research and develop submitted ideas into project proposals. The City Manager and City Staff must approve the delegates’ proposals for the PB ballot.  
• March 7-17, 2024 – Vote for your favorite PB proposals! All Cambridge residents age 12 and older can vote, regardless of citizenship status. 
• July 1, 2024 - Winning projects will be included in the FY25 Budget for adoption. If the FY25 Budget is adopted by the City Council, winning projects will begin implementation on July 1, 2024.

Idea Collection

To read all of the ideas that were submitted in the tenth PB cycle, please click the map below.                                  

PB Idea Map	PB Delegate Guidebook
Click the image above to view all ideas collected for PB10.	Click the image above to view the PB Delegate guidebook, which provides a detailed overview of the proposal development process.

Click here to stay informed about PB!