For 2024-2025, the Municipality of Faro has started the Algarve Participatory Budget (OP). This program invites citizens, employees, and students to participate in a role about the future of their community. Citizens can submit plans and vote on how €250,000 in public funds will be used. The primary aim of this initiative is to include people in improving the condition of their home, workplace, or education.
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Algarve Participatory Budget
The Participatory Budget (OP) is an open process. It gives citizens the power to decide how public money is used. Participants must be residents, workers, or students of Faro and be at least 18 years old. Participants can submit their proposals in December.
These proposals can ask for funding of up to €40,000. The projects can focus on improving local infrastructure, expanding community spaces, or adding new services. Schools will get 10,000 euros from the Faro Participatory Budget.
The Faro Schools PB invites students to take part in this program. They are able to submit project ideas for programs that will enhance their educational environment.
The voting will take place when all proposals have been submitted. This is scheduled for March 2025. Every participant is able to vote for up to two different projects. The voting results will be announced in April 2025. The winning projects will be implemented within two years.
Funding Distribution And How To Participate
A key aspect of the Participatory Budget is its justice. Each church or group of parishes will have a minimum of one winning project. This means that every part of the city benefits. It ensures that no one region dominates the process. The goal is to spread public funds across the area.
Faro has allocated a total of €821,324.87 to various projects since the Participatory Budget began in 2020. Eight out of the 25 winning projects from previous budgets have already been completed. The community is clearly enhanced by these programs.
They cover a variety of projects such as public places, cultural projects, and infrastructure. The process was designed to be easy and accessible. This makes it easy for anyone to participate.
The Faro PB portal gives all the necessary information. Participants can use the site to submit proposals and track the progress of their ideas.
The participation of schools enables young people learn about democracy. They learn about teamwork and the value of giving to the community. These experiences will have a lifelong effect as these kids grow up
Bairro Pintado Project From 2023-2024 Budget
One of the most successful projects funded by the Faro Participatory Budget is the Bairro Pintado community art project. This project was proposed by local artist Filipe Alves. It received 336 votes which was strong support from the community.
The goal of the project was to renovate the ramps that go to Penha Park and the access stairs to the Vale de Carneiros primary school. The overall budget for the project was 17,220 euro. The project brought together artists, citizens, and students to create a lively public place.
The Bairro Pintado project was the most voted proposal in the 2023-2024 edition of the Faro PB. This support shows that people care about projects that bring creativity and vibrancy to the environment. It shows that useful modifications can also include beautiful facets.
Faro Schools’ PB has also played an important role in the program. All nine schools in the city have participated. Projects have been accepted in each school which shows the value of giving youth the opportunity to participate
