M e d i a R e l e a s e

Date: Monday, June 17th
For Immediate Release
VICTORIA, BC —Victoria residents are invited to cast their vote on which community projects should receive funding in this year’s City of Victoria Participatory Budgeting.
The focus in 2019 is on projects that improve the lives of youth in Victoria. Sixteen shortlisted projects are vying for up to $50,000 in funding. Now it is the community’s turn to weigh in.
Some of the projects include a series of workshops to learn about upcycling and altering unwanted clothes, an art and recreation program for underprivileged youth, and a ‘Perfect Parenting’ program for young parents.
The projects that receive the most votes from the community will receive funding. To vote and view all 16 projects go to www.cvyc.ca/pb or in person at City Hall through July 19, 2019.
The Participatory Budgeting “Street Team” will also be hosting pop-up voting stations in the community. Watch for them at Fern Fest on Saturday, June 22 and at other community events throughout the city.
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. The City’s citizen-led volunteer Participatory Budget Steering Committee is being coordinated this year by the City of Victoria Youth Council.
“The Participatory Budgeting Steering Committee would like to thank the many enthusiastic individuals, groups, and community organizations for the thoughtful and diverse proposals we received,” said Emma-Jane Burian, a member of the Steering Committee and a member of the City of Victoria Youth Council.
“The creativity of each proposal is a testament to this city having great people with innovative ideas and a drive to make a difference. It’ll be a tough choice at the ballot box,” said Tara Skobel, Youth Programs Coordinator with Quadra Village Community Centre, who is hosting the Youth Council this year and involved with them on the Steering Committee.
The rewarded projects will be announced in August and projects will get underway later this fall.
To learn more about the City of Victoria’s Participatory Budgeting process and cast your vote, please visit www.cvyc.ca/pb.
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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