Participatory Budgeting 2019 Launched!!!

 

CALL FOR PROPOSALS

We are NOW Accepting Proposals for Participatory Budgeting 2019/20

Funding for Youth Projects and Programs

Participatory Budgeting is a democratic process in which community members directly decide how to spend part of a public budget.  The process was first developed in Brazil in 1989 and is now practiced in over 1,500 cities around the world.

In 2019, the City of Victoria has $52,000 for Participatory Budgeting projects that will be voted upon by the public.  These projects may be implemented by the City, a non-profit organization or citizens of Greater Victoria depending upon the nature of the project.  This year projects MUST benefit youth ages 9-24.  The three steps are as follows:

  1. Members of the public submit the Proposal Form and Budget Form (Budget Form available at ca/pb)
  2. Steering Committee and City of Victoria reviews proposals to ensure they meet the criteria outlined on the website ca/pb.
  3. Public Voting (more than one project may be chosen for implementation)

While we encourage creativity and innovation and don’t want to put too many limits on your thinking, there are a few criteria every idea must meet:

  • Projects and events must take place within the City of Victoria
  • Projects and events must benefit youth
  • Projects must be submitted by a resident of the Capital Region District (CRD)
  • Projects can be put forward by individuals, groups, or non-profit organizations
  • Private businesses cannot put forward a project, but can sponsor one by providing additional funds

 

Day or Evening of Learning

People considering applying for this funding are encouraged to attend one of our learning opportunities:

Evening of Learning

Date: Wednesday, April 10, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Location: Victoria City Hall Antechamber

Who: Everyone’s invited

Details: Part 1: Participatory Budgeting 101, Part 2: Build Your Own Proposal

A light dinner will help fuel the conversations.

RSVP for this event

 

Day of Learning

Date: Saturday, April 13, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Location: Quadra Village Community Centre, 901 Kings Road

Who: This event has been designed for youth, but everyone is welcome!

Details: Part 1: Participatory Budgeting 101, Part 2: Build Your Own Proposal

Join us for lunch, music and some fun and games.

RSVP for this event

 

Important Deadlines

  1. Proposal and Budget From: Due May 6, 2019
  2. Voting: June 16 to July 19, 2019
  3. Winners Announced: Late July

 

If you have any questions while filling out the Proposal Form or the Budget Form please email pb@victoria.ca  or call Tara at 250 388 7696 ext 224.

 

Youth Programs Funding Committee

Steering Committee Members Wanted for

 Youth Participatory Budgeting

Date: Tuesday, December 18

For Immediate Release

VICTORIA, BC – The City of Victoria and the City of Victoria Youth Council are seeking 12 volunteers to serve on the Participatory Budgeting Steering Committee for 2019.  After a successful pilot last year, the City has committed to Participatory Budgeting funding for three more years.  The focus for 2019 will be youth, followed by newcomers in 2020 and neighbourhood spaces in 2021.

The City of Victoria Youth Council will oversee the program this year. The focus will be on empowering the Victoria community to allocate up to $60,000 in funding for projects or events that benefit youth in the City of Victoria.

Participatory budgeting is an innovative, democratic process that gives the entire community the opportunity to participate and decide how to invest a portion of the City budget. Once the Steering Committee is appointed, they will work with residents to develop ideas and proposals.  Community voting will determine the top projects for funding.

“It was great to see the success of the Participatory Budgeting pilot project last year,” said Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps.  “I’m thrilled that this year we’re turning our attention, energy and resources to youth. We look forward to learning from the process they develop and the projects the community chooses to fund.”

“After the Steering Committee is formed, we’ll be out asking the community for amazing project and program ideas for youth in Victoria,” said Tara Skobel, Youth Programs Coordinator at the Quadra Village Community Centre, host of the City of Victoria Youth Council.  “Once the ideas are collected, we encourage everyone to vote for the program or project they feel will have the greatest impact on our community.  This is an incredible opportunity to invest in our youth and to increase participation in an exciting form of democracy.”

Last year 28 proposals were submitted, eight ideas went out for community voting, over 4,300 residents cast their vote and three projects were funded. The Next Steps Employment Program run through Our Place, the Urban Alive Pop-Up Native Bee Apiary in the Yates Street Community Garden and the Learning Garden at the Greater Victoria Public Library’s downtown branch are now all up and running.

Steering Committee applications are available at www.cyvc.ca/pb and can be submitted until Friday, January 11 at 4 p.m.   A “Meet and Greet Information Session” for all interested applicants will be hosted at Quadra Village Community Centre (901 Kings Road) on Wednesday, December 9 from 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Participant diversity is a central concept in Participatory Budgeting. All Victoria residents, including youth, are invited to apply for a one-year term on the Steering Committee. Interested residents can email Tara Skobel at tara@quadravillagecc.com with any questions.

Application Form:  PBSCA 2019

 For More Information:

Tara Skobel
Youth Programs Coordinator

Quadra Village Community Centre
250.388.7696 ext 224

Bill Eisenhauer
Head of Engagement
City of Victoria

250.858.1061

 

Become a Social Inclusion Guide

Are you a storyteller? Interested in how the past shapes the present? Do you have a passion for social justice? If any of this sounds like you, join the Social Inclusion Guides hosted by the City of Victoria Youth Council.

Work in a collaborative group to research the untold stories of Victoria. Stories of oppression, colonization, resistance, and resilience. The Social Inclusion Guides will conduct research, create a walking-tour, and act as tour guides for local participants

You will receive training in the following areas:

  • Anti-oppression and Identity Politics
  • How to do research (online, library, government archives)
  • Writing scripts and storytelling
  • Public speaking and guiding tours

Perks of participation:

  • Gain skills that look great on job applications
  • Connect with your peers
  • A reference letter upon completion
  • An honourarium upon completion
  • Bus tickets and refreshments at training workshops
  • Learn about your city and community

Eligibility for participation:

  • Ages 14-24
  • Must live, work, study, or hang out in City of Victoria
  • Attend all of the training workshops
  • Be committed to completing the project

If you are interested in becoming a Social Inclusion Guide, please complete and submit a registration form by 5pm on April 30th, 2018.

Workshop dates:
Introduction and Anti-Oppression > Monday, May 7th – 5pm to 8pm
Introduction to research skills > Monday, May 14th – 5pm to 8pm
Collecting stories > Saturday, May 26th – 1pm to 5pm
Storytelling and public speaking > Sunday, May 27th – 1pm to 5pm
Final Touches and practice > Monday, May 28th – 5pm to 8pm
CVYC Pilot > Tuesday, June 5th – 6pm to 8pm

Join City of Victoria Youth Council 2017-2018

The City of Victoria Youth Council (CVYC) is now accepting applications for the 2017-2018 programming year. 

CVYC is a youth-driven, grassroots program that offers opportunities for civic engagement to youth who live, work, hang out or go to school in the City of Victoria. We believe that youth are key stakeholders and should be included in decisions that affect them and their communities as a whole. The CVYC is funded and hosted by the City of Victoria and is composed of youth ages 14-24 who volunteer their time to build their capacity as leaders and activists to bring about the change they want to see in their city. Please see the attached digital brochure outlining this year’s program priorities and topics.

Being a member requires:

  • Interest and passion for issues relating to youth in the City of Victoria.
  • Ability to work well as part of a team.
  • A one-year commitment
  • Being between the ages of 14 to 24.
  • Living, working, hanging out or going to school in the City of Victoria.
  • Attending weekly gatherings every Tuesday 6pm-8pm
  • Staying in regular communication (email, Facebook or phone) with the CVYC Coordinator and other members.

The application process is not competitive. We accept new members until we fill up all the spots available. The City of Victoria Youth Council is committed to forming a group that represents the diversity of youth in Victoria. We strongly encourage youth of colour, youth with disabilities, young mothers, Indigenous youth, LGBTQ2+ youth and youth from all socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds to apply.

If you have any questions please contact us at info@cvyc.ca