The White House today recognized participatory budgeting as a leading innovation in civic engagement, honoring Participatory Budgeting Project (PBP) Board Member Joe Moore and Advisory Board Member Brad Lander as “Champions of Change”. They were recognized for “piloting innovative programs to involve traditionally disengaged communities in local governance”. Starting in 2009, we worked with Alderman Moore to launch the first participatory budgeting (PB) process in the US, in Chicago‘s 49th Ward, and then expand this process to three other wards. Since 2011, we have worked closely with Council Member Lander to build a multi-district PB process in New York City.

We are deeply inspired by the passion for democracy and community engagement that drives these two champions to work tirelessly for their communities. We are honored to have introduced participatory budgeting to them both, to have worked with them to launch successful pilot programs in Chicago and New York, and to continue to work together to build a more participatory democracy. Congratulations to Joe Moore and Brad Lander!

For more information, see the White House Press Release honoring these champions of change.