Participatory Budgeting 2021 -Neighbourhood Spaces

The votes have been counted and just over $54,000 is being awarded to six community-led projects in the City of Victoria’s 2021 Participatory Budgeting initiative.

This year’s theme ‘Neighbourhood Spaces’ is all about projects that encourage social connection and belonging, community identity and expression, a connection with nature, and community resilience. The initiative received a great response from the community with eight projects going out for community voting. More than 1,300 residents voted for the projects they wanted to see funded.

Projects to receive funding this year include a muralContinue reading

The votes have been counted and just over $54,000 is being awarded to six community-led projects in the City of Victoria’s 2021 Participatory Budgeting initiative.

Projects to receive funding this year include a mural project, a community hub, an artist billboard, street murals, live pop-up performances, and an outdoor movie night.

Congratulations to the 2021 Participatory Budgeting Winning projects:

Projects with budgets between $1,000 - $7,500:

Lower Yates Mural Project - $6,500 - Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness

Youth living at the Lighthouse, a supportive housing project on lower Yates, will create an art piece for Waddington Alley for the wider community to enjoy.

Madrona Community Hub at Dockside Green $2,500 – Anne Glover

This project will transform a neighbourhood space into a community hub for residents and the public, complete with a little free library, a community notice board and a heritage marker

BIPOC Artist Billboard in Old Town/Downtown - $5,000 – Victoria Arts Council

This project will feature the artwork of a local BIPOC artist, who will be chosen by jury of BIPOC artists/curators/community members/business leaders, on a prominent billboard on the Victoria Arts Council building.

Projects with budgets between $7,501 - $20,000:

Curbside Colour - $15,750 – Greater Victoria Placemaking Network

This project seeks to create joyful places for residents and visitors to pause by adding bright, meaningful designs by Indigenous artists to two ‘traffic calming’ locations on Victoria streets.

You Are Here Pop-Up Docs - $20,000 – Theatre SKAM Association

This project brings live performances featuring short digital documentaries, shadow plays, and animated shorts to Victoria neighbourhoods to explore the history of this land.

Picture Nights in Oaklands - $4,830 Oaklands Community Association

This project will ask for the community vote on a film celebrating the diversity in their community. There will then be a family friendly film event at Oaklands Park.

Learn more about these exciting projects here.

How we got here
Now in its fourth year, Participatory Budgeting gives residents the opportunity to apply for, promote and vote on a portion of the City’s budget for community-initiated projects. $50,000 is available to fund the top projects, as voted on by the community.

Proposals in 2021 covered a wide range of ideas - from public art and murals, multicultural movie nights, new community spaces, disc golf events, and pop-up opera performances.

Watch this short video to learn about the eight proposals that went out for community voting:

Special thanks to the Participatory Budgeting Steering Committee for giving of their time to support this important community-led initiative.

Learn More

To learn about the history of PB in the City of Victoria, including past projects making a difference in our community, check out our website.

Ask us a Question!

Is a 1 on the voting most infavour or least?

Myque asked over 2 years ago

Hi,
Thanks for your question. 1 on the voting scale would be most in favour of. Voters are asked to rank projects in the order they would like to see them funded. (1 for your top choice, etc.)
when and where do I see proposals and vote?

John asked over 2 years ago

Hi John,
Thanks for your question. Voting is set to open early next week. All the details, including a link to our voting page with all the proposals, will be posted to this page.
I see that "Retroactive request for events and activities" is not allowed, but could you submit an art installation project that is not yet complete (as of July 25th 2021), but will be complete before Fall 2021?

CeCe asked almost 3 years ago

Hi CeCe,
Thanks for your question. To be eligible for Participatory Budgeting funding, projects cannot start until after community voting ends and the winning projects have been awarded funding.