From now on, all submitted ideas will be presented in public discussions held in every district, allowing local residents to have a direct say in selecting the best projects.
The goal of the updated participatory budget is to encourage greater public engagement and collect even more valuable ideas to improve local communities.
“We have streamlined the participatory budget process so that a panel of experts will now evaluate the feasibility, costs, and other aspects of each submitted idea. However, the final decision remains with the residents, who can vote for up to three ideas per district—whether it’s a new outdoor gym, a basketball court, a green area, or something else,” said Tallinn’s Deputy Mayor, Pärtel-Peeter Pere.
Over the past ten months, Tallinn’s participatory budget has undergone significant changes, shaped by input from both local residents and representatives from city departments and district governments. The aim of the redesign, supported by service designers, was to modernize and simplify the process, making it more accessible and encouraging greater public participation.
The participatory budget website and voting process have also been improved to make submitting ideas and casting votes more intuitive. As part of the renewal, Tallinn sought public input to find a fresh, engaging name for the initiative—one that would encourage residents to take part in shaping their urban environment. Between December 17 and January 5, a total of 91 name suggestions were submitted, with “A city created together” emerging as the winning choice.
“A city created together” serves as a platform fostering dialogue between the city and its residents. All submitted ideas will undergo thorough evaluation, the selection process will be more transparent, and, for the first time, public discussions will be organized in each district to introduce and select the best ideas.
“These changes aim to involve more Tallinn residents in shaping the urban environment, increase civic engagement, and inspire people to work together toward a better city,” said Lea Vutt, project manager for the participatory budget at Tallinn’s Urban Environment and Public Works Department.
For four seasons, the participatory budget has given every Tallinn resident a voice in deciding how public funds are used to improve their environment. Thousands of Tallinn residents have submitted creative proposals over the years, leading to 24 completed projects. Some of the most well-known include the community saunas and winter swimming area at Lake Harku, the Japanese-style mini-forest in Kristiine, and the school park at Pirita Economic School.
Source: tallinn.ee