Participatory Budgeting and Smart Participation

In the context of participatory processes, interests tend to be distorted by a low level of non-representative participation. This lends significant weight to individual interest groups. For example, in participatory budgeting or neighborhood funds in the districts, it is often the same – small numbers of – citizens or groups who participate and contribute their ideas. Stimulating, digitally supported methods of participation and new forms of interaction that are designed to be free of discrimination help reach a diverse spectrum of people. The pilot district is Treptow-Köpenick. A variety of digitally supported participation methods are being tested in Treptow-Köpenick in order to increase participation in the district’s long-standing neighborhood fund. The existing online participation platform mein.Berlin.de is to be used and supplemented with additional formats. The procedure is coordinated with the departments responsible for the statewide participation budget.

Responsible: Treptow-Köpenick District Office

Participants: District contact point for citizen participation, Senate Chancellery – statewide participation budget

Period: 2022 – 2025

Fields of action: Consolidate participatory governance and participation formats; provide impetus for livable urban development; ensure transparency in the development of the city and its processes

Spatial level: Diverse, livable neighborhoods