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2018CEC Established
About the Program

What Is the Civic Engagement Commission?

The NYC Civic Engagement Commission (CEC) was established in 2018 by a New York City voter ballot measure to strengthen civic participation across the city. Among its programs, the CEC administers Participatory Budgeting — giving residents a direct say in how part of the public budget is spent.

ASHO is a community partner in the CEC's Participatory Budgeting initiative, conducting multilingual outreach so that underrepresented communities — including individuals with disabilities and immigrant families — can take part.

  • Multilingual outreach in English and Bangla
  • Open to all NYC residents, including immigrant families
  • Residents propose ideas and vote on real projects
  • ASHO supports community members at every step

ASHO's Role

ASHO serves as a community partner for the CEC, conducting multilingual outreach and ensuring that underrepresented communities — including individuals with disabilities and immigrant families — have a voice in participatory budgeting. We bridge the gap between city government and the communities that often go unheard.

Three ASHO partners posing together at a community event
Understanding the Process

What is Participatory Budgeting?

Participatory Budgeting is a democratic process that gives community members direct control over how a portion of public funds are spent in their neighborhoods.
NYC Civic Engagement Commission

  • What It Is

    Participatory Budgeting (PB) is a democratic process in which community members directly decide how to spend part of a public budget. Unlike traditional government spending decisions made solely by elected officials, PB puts real financial power into the hands of everyday residents.

    In New York City, the CEC administers PB as part of its broader mission to strengthen civic participation. Residents propose ideas, develop them into concrete project proposals, and then vote on which projects get funded — all with real money and real outcomes.

  • Why It Matters

    Public money should reflect what communities actually need. PB puts that decision in the hands of the people who live with the results — including immigrant families and people with disabilities whose voices often go unheard.

    Voting is open to residents 16 and older regardless of immigration status, and the process is multilingual and accessible — because every voice deserves to count.

  • $35B+Invested Globally
  • 10,000+Cities Worldwide
  • 2012Launched in NYC
  • 2026ASHO Partner Since
The Process

How Participatory Budgeting Works

From idea to reality — a four-phase process that puts democratic power directly in the hands of New York City residents.

  1. Step 1

    Brainstorm Ideas

    Community members identify needs and propose project ideas for their neighborhoods — from park improvements to school equipment to accessibility upgrades. This phase is open to everyone, and no idea is too big or too small.

  2. Step 2

    Develop Proposals

    Volunteer budget delegates work with city experts to turn community ideas into concrete, feasible project proposals with real cost estimates. These delegates are trained and supported by the CEC throughout the process.

  3. Step 3

    Community Vote

    All eligible residents (16+) cast their votes for the projects they want funded. Voting is accessible, multilingual, and open to documented and undocumented residents alike — because every voice deserves to count.

  4. Step 4

    Projects Get Built

    Winning projects receive real public funding and are implemented in the community — parks, schools, libraries, roads, and more. Residents see the direct result of their civic engagement in their neighborhoods.

Get Involved

How to Participate

Participating in Participatory Budgeting is straightforward. ASHO is here to support you at every step of the process.

  • Attend an Info Session

    ASHO hosts accessible information sessions at both our Queens and Manhattan office locations. Sessions are conducted in English and Bangla, and all are welcome — no prior knowledge required.

    Find A Session

  • Submit Your Idea

    Any NYC resident can propose a project idea during the brainstorming phase. Think about what your neighborhood needs — accessibility improvements, park upgrades, school resources, and more.

    Share Your Idea

  • Vote

    Residents 16 and older can vote on the project proposals developed by budget delegates. Voting is accessible, multilingual, and open to all residents regardless of immigration status.

    Learn How To Vote