Participatory budgeting and the reduction of social exclusion

Purpose: The main purpose of this article is to identify solutions implemented in different countries within the PB processes to include marginalized groups and individuals, and to indicate possible directions of change in Polish participatory (civic) budgets. Design/methodology/approach: The research employed three distinct methodological approaches: source analysis, comparative analysis, and simple descriptive analysis. The latter two were employed in conjunction with the former, with the former serving as the primary analytical tool. The research drew upon two primary data sources: the Participatory Budgeting (PB) project databases provided by the International Observatory on Participatory Democracy (IOPD) and Participedia. A total of ten projects were selected for analysis. The analysis focused on defining the stated aim (or set of aims) of the project, identifying the group of beneficiaries, and examining the methods and activities employed in the project. Findings: The fundamental issue confronting the majority of Polish civic budgets (as a consequence of legal stipulations) is the assumption of uniformity within a given local community. As evidenced by the illustrative examples presented in this article, a meticulously designed PB process can contribute to the reduction of social exclusion, primarily in the environmental, spatial and group dimensions. Consequently, in order to reduce social exclusion, it would be necessary to redefine at the statutory level the concept and objectives of participatory budgeting. Social implications: The creation of solutions dedicated to specific groups within the framework of civic budgets would enable local governments to facilitate their active participation in PB processes. Moreover, it would ensure that marginalized people have access to public services tailored to their needs. This assumes that the participatory budget is also to fulfil its primary functions in Poland. Originality/value: The problem of using participatory budgeting to reduce social exclusion is not addressed in the Polish scientific discussion. Therefore, this article is one of the few voices in signaling the possibility of using foreign experience in this area in Poland and the need for changes in current legal regulations.