Participatory budgeting
Participatory budgeting is a way of engaging residents in discussions, planning, and decision-making regarding the use of public funds.
In Vaasa, residents are able to propose and decide how a specific amount of money is spent.
Based on suggestions from residents, the city has already created a cherry blossom park by Onkilahti Bay and a flower meadow in Vaskiluoto, provided toys for daycare centres, and established a winter swimming spot in the Inner Harbour. In 2024, the winning idea was to install larger waste bins and more benches along the Waterfront Route.
In 2025, we have allocated €15,000 for participatory budgeting.
See below for the 2025 schedule and participate!
Schedule for 2025
Collecting ideas from 5 Feb. to 9 March 2025
Voting for the winner from 17 April to 5 May 2025
Announcing the winner 19 May 2025
How can I participate? Share your ideas! Vote!
Submit your idea using this form by 9 March 2025.
You can also participate by voting for your favourite among the best ideas. Voting will open on this site on 17 April 2025.
How will the ideas be evaluated?
The submitted ideas will be reviewed by a working group, which includes representatives from each of the city’s sectors. Ideas will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- When put into practice, the idea brings joy to as many people as possible.
- The idea can be implemented within the allocated budget.
- The idea is in line with the values of the City of Vaasa.
- Residents of Vaasa can participate in the implementation of the idea.
- The idea can be implemented in a way that allows for its potential future upkeep.
No idea is wasted; all of them are shared with the city’s departments for their information and added to the city’s ‘idea bank’, for future use in the development of services.
Initiatives from previous years
2024: Waste bins and benches along the Waterfront Route, budget €15,000
2023: Winter swimming spot in the Inner Harbour, budget €15,000
2022: Toys for daycare centres, budget €5,000
2021: Happiness meadow in Vaskiluoto, budget €5,000
2020: Cherry blossom park in Onkilahti, budget €5,000