Brno, July 29 (BD) – The city of Brno is the first one in the Czech Republic to have a participatory budgeting in which ordinary people decide on how to spend a part of the local budget via democratic methods. Photo: Fotolia
Dáme na vás is the first project of this kind in Brno and was launched in the beginning of 2017. The city has allocated 20 million crowns for the development of the projects. Each initiative may receive up to 2 million, which is the upper budget limit for one project.
Earlier this year, the projects have been submitted to the website for the people to vote for. For a plan to be considered by the municipality, it had to get minimum 150 likes on the web page or submit a paper petition signed by at least 15 citizens.
If the project reaches the requirements and is proven to be feasible by the city, it will have a chance to be implemented in life after the final voting in winter. Voting is open to expat residents, too (Read: Public Debate about Future of Brno Open to Expats).
In November of 2017, citizens of Brno will have a chance to choose the best projects to be funded.
Playground and cafe in Židenice – 2785 likes
An initiative to construct a children’s playground with a cozy cafe in the Bzzzukot area in Židenice is currently the most popular project with nearly 3000 likes. Following the renovation of the area in 2015, adding a playground in the green colored place will positively influence the trend of young families moving to Židenice district.
Virgin Mary, the highest point of Židenice – 1215 likes
One of the highly voted initiatives describes a simple project that requires no more than 100 thousand crowns to make one of the most beautiful sites easily accessible to the public – the highest point of Židenice, where the cross with the Holy Virgin Mary is located. To make the venue with a stunning view over the city accessible to everyone, the private and public lands needs be divided with a fence of 130 meters.
Bicycle path – 1003 likes
The other project hopes to solve an issue of an absence of bicycle path on Balbínova. There is no cycle road from the center of Brno to Vinohrady, Líšeň or Mariánské údolí. This is a great inconvenience for the people who prefer to cycle from work to their homes at the outskirts of Brno.
Bike park Lesná – 623 likes
Another project is a roofed bikepark in Lesná. The aim of the project is to have a place for bikers during winter that will be completely free to use. Right now, there are three similar parks that work during winter, although, they charge a fee for using the facilities.
There are many other interesting projects (see the official projects gallery) that have received approval form the public and are waiting for the confirmation of their feasibility.
Do not forget to vote for the one you think will benefit the city most on November 1 – 22!
