​Youth Leaders are Selected to Launch Oregon’s First Participatory Budgeting Process

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

​

July 18, 2022

Youth Leaders from the East Metro Region are Selected to Launch Oregon’s First Participatory Budgeting Process Named “Youth Voice, Youth Vote” (YV² PB)

Participatory Budgeting Oregon has co-launched Oregon’s first participatory budgeting process Youth Voice, Youth Vote PB (YV² PB).

The goal of YV² PB (pronounced Y V Squared P B) is to foster and support youth civic leadership and public health in the process of identifying community-driven COVID-19 relief and recovery projects funded by $500,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. These ARPA funds were committed by State Legislators Kayse Jama, Chris Gorsek, and Ricki Ruiz. Cycle 1 of this youth-led participatory budgeting process is occurring within Senate Districts 24 and 25 in East Multnomah and North Clackamas Counties.

Participatory budgeting (PB) activates people’s power over real money in a structured process that redistributes power and resources to benefit under-represented and under-resourced populations. PB is one mechanism for community-led recovery amid the COVID-19 pandemic being used in other communities across the country to democratically allocate ARPA funds.

Jama, Gorsek, Ruiz, the Seeding Justice Foundation, and five non-profit organizations are collaborating to make YV² PB possible. East County Rising Community Projects, Participatory Budgeting Oregon, Play Grow Learn, The Rosewood Initiative, and Unite Oregon are core implementing organizations.

A second cycle to follow this initial effort could allocate additional public funds within a similar  project area in 2023 and 2024. Over the course of two participatory budgeting cycles, Participatory Budgeting Oregon and partnering organizations aim to engage at least 5,000 youth and families in exercising their power to benefit their communities. This process aims to expand civic leadership and organizing skills while enhancing and rebuilding community, relationships, and mental health outcomes.

###

ABOUT PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING OREGON

PB Oregon is an Oregon-incorporated tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. PB Oregon works for more participatory and just public budgeting for all Oregonians by centering the expertise and leadership of underrepresented communities. Through popular education and participatory democracy PB Oregon grows community power to effectively direct resources toward public needs.

pboregon.org | youthpb.org

For more information, interviews and photo requests, please email Maria Sipin, maria@pboregon.org.