The next edition of the Wrocław Participatory Budget is upon us – leaders have until February 19, 2024, to submit their proposals for investments friendly to local communities. It is up to us – the residents of Wrocław – whether and how much funding will be provided to projects affecting our neighborhood.
photo: Anna Pazdej
What is WBO?
The Wrocław Participatory Budget (WBO) is a part of the city budget whose allocation is decided by residents through direct voting. It is one of three participatory budgets implemented by the Wrocław City Hall. Through the WBO, you can submit ideas for investments that will be located on municipal plots and, if implemented, will help improve the quality of life in Wrocław. Adding recreational equipment and playgrounds to your backyard, creating a green, neighborhood space, tidying up common areas, or installing small-scale architecture that you can use for socializing, learning, or play – the possibilities are endless, and the choice of idea depends on your shared needs.
How to submit your proposal to WBO 2024?
The leader submits the project in a completed form available at wroclaw.pl/wbo, they can do so on paper or electronically. The project must be accompanied by a list of signatures from at least two people supporting the project, which may also include the signature of the originators (leader).
If you have an idea for a WBO project that you would like to discuss with our team, or you need support in submitting your project, please contact us by email at: placgrunwaldzki@ladnehistorie.pl.
Key WBO Principles:
The total WBO budget for 2024 is PLN 33 million, of which PLN 21 million will be allocated to cross-neighborhood projects, and PLN 12 million to neighborhood projects. What is the difference between these two types of projects? A neighborhood project is a project that impacts a single neighborhood (meaning it will benefit people living, working, and/or studying within the selected neighborhood). The maximum value of such a project is PLN 1 million for all implemented activities – including project development and investment works. A cross-neighborhood project, on the other hand, is a project that impacts beyond a single neighborhood – meaning its effects will benefit people from various parts of Wrocław. In this case, the maximum project value is PLN 3 million.
Anyone residing in Wrocław can submit a project (or several projects), and registration is not required. The person who submits such a project becomes its leader – they will be responsible for contacting the Wrocław City Hall, collecting votes, and, if successful, supporting the implementation process.
One of the evaluation criteria for your proposals is the project's compliance with the principles of universal design. Universal design means that WBO investments will be designed to be usable and accessible to the widest possible number of residents, including people with disabilities and the elderly. Such projects cannot restrict or restrict the use of land or infrastructure for a select group of people, nor implement solutions that prevent or hinder the use of the benefits for people with needs different from your own. Therefore, when describing your ideas, remember that your proposals should address the real needs of the broadest possible group of Wrocław residents.
photo: Anna Pazdej
WBO 2024 Calendar:
- submission of projects: 15/01 – 19/02/2024;
- first stage of project evaluation: 20/02 – 31/05/2024;
- publication of the results of the first project evaluation: 03/06/2024;
- project consultations: 03/06 – 01/07/2024;
- second stage of project evaluation: 02/07 – 21/08/2024;
- publication of the results of the second project evaluation: 22/08/2024;
- possibility of submitting appeals: 22/08 – 29/08/2024;
- publication of the list of projects assessed positively after appeals: immediately after considering all possible appeals;
- publication of the final list of projects for voting: after the fourth day from the publication of the list of projects assessed positively after appeals;
- voting for WBO 2024 projects: 27/09 – 14/10/2024.
How many votes do we need to win?
Each vote cast in the fall is crucial – 10 neighborhood projects and 7 cross-neighborhood projects were selected in 2023. To win, 2,555 votes were needed for a neighborhood project and 3,184 votes for a cross-neighborhood project. Due to the large number of votes required, neighborhood and cross-neighborhood alliances are crucial to winning – proposals that build a community around an entire or multiple neighborhoods and that address the specific needs of residents have a greater chance of winning.
What were the voting results last year in Grunwald?
In 2023, we encouraged you to vote for two projects: No. 200 (neighborhood-wide) and No. 204 (supra-neighborhood). They received 1,035 (project no. 200) and 825 (project no. 204) votes, respectively, which proved too few to be implemented. Working on the WBO is a long-term process, which we, as the Local Activity Center, have recently begun, and we are pleased with the noticeable year-on-year increase in the number of people voting for the locally planned projects at Grunwaldzki Square.
photo: Anna Pazdej
What were the projects from the 2023 edition about?
Project No. 200: Renovation on Miła and Ładna Streets
Project No. 200 involved specific actions to assist those using the intersection of Benedyktyńska, Górnickiego, Miła, Ładna, and Grunwaldzka Streets. As part of the investment, at this stage, we planned to perform the most important works related to improving the quality of infrastructure:
- repairing sidewalks and raising pedestrian crossings;
- taking into account facilities for blind or visually impaired people;
- installation of bicycle racks – removed due to the commencement of construction of the apartment building located at this intersection – and garbage cans;
- creating a neighborhood bench and tidying up the green area on Ładna Street.
Project No. 204: Renewal on Pasteur
Last year, we encouraged you to vote for a project located on the Louis Pasteur coast, between the Zwierzyniecki and Szczytnicki bridges. The local community in that part of the estate has long been calling for the renovation of this section of land along the Old Oder River – we decided to amplify their voice and ask for your help in gathering the necessary votes.
As part of project no. 204, we proposed several simple solutions that will improve the condition of local infrastructure:
- renovation of the pedestrian route between the Zwierzyniecki and Szczytnicki bridges;
- replacement or maintenance of the balustrade on the entire above-mentioned section;
- installation of bicycle racks, garbage cans and missing benches;
