Frequently asked questions
Will the amount of EUR 450,000 be used entirely for the realisation of ideas voted for by citizens?
Yes. The amount of EUR 450,000 will be used entirely for the realisation of those ideas with the most votes.
Other costs related to participatory budgeting, such as the costs of communications and marketing, website maintenance and the wages of personnel in charge of implementing the pilot, will be covered from other city funds.
Who is in charge of the implementation of participatory budgeting?
The City of Tampere Council has made the decision concerning the implementation of participatory budgeting and the amount of allocated funds.
The most important policies relating to participatory budgeting have been established by a steering group consisting of the city’s office-holders. Such decisions include, for example, the subjects and assessment criteria of the ideas.
The practical work will be carried out by the experts in the City of Tampere’s strategy and development unit. A large number of the City of Tampere’s employees working in different sectors will assist with the implementation work.
How long is the participatory budgeting process?
In participatory budgeting, citizens can participate in three different stages of the process: innovation, workshops and voting.
The innovation stage begins on 15 April 2020 and voting closes on 30 November 2020. All in all, the process lasts for about eight months.
The ideas with most votes will be realised during 2021.
Why is there no age limit for the participatory budgeting innovation stage when there is an age limit for voting?
There is no age limit for the innovation stage of participatory budgeting. Anyone, from young children to senior citizens, may post their ideas using the form on the Mun Tampere website.
All residents aged 12 or older (including those turning 12 this year) will have a chance to vote. The age limit was set by the City Board of Tampere. An age limit of 12 or 13 for participatory budgeting has also been implemented in other cities in Finland.
Voting requires strong identification. Children and young people must use their educational institutions’ Wilma credentials for identification.
The age limit will be reassessed after gathering experiences and feedback from the participatory budgeting process for 2020.
Where does the money allocated for participatory budgeting come from? Have funds been cut from other services?
The budget for participatory budgeting has not been cut from funds allocated to other services. Participatory budgeting is a project that develops the possibilities for participation among the citizens of Tampere and has its own budget.
The budget for participatory budgeting has been granted by the City Council of Tampere. Participatory budgeting, much like most of the services of the City of Tampere, is funded with tax money.
Why was my idea rejected? Can I still participate in the workshops?
All citizens are welcome to participate in the workshops, regardless of whether they have posted ideas on the Mun Tampere website or not. Citizens whose ideas have been deemed impossible to implement are also welcome to participate in the workshops. In the workshops, ideas will be further developed and combined with one another in cooperation with other citizens and the City of Tampere’s personnel.
All participatory budgeting ideas are assessed according to the same, pre-announced criteria. If an idea does not pass the assessment stage, the reason for rejecting the idea will be openly stated next to the posted idea on the Mun Tampere website.
Is participatory budgeting related to party politics?
Participatory budgeting has nothing to do with party politics. There are no political organisations influencing the pilot – participatory budgeting is not intended to increase the power or resources of any particular political party.
Who will be implementing the ideas with the most votes?
The City of Tampere will implement the ideas that receive the most votes, either independently or in cooperation with a partner selected by the city.
If it is not possible or sensible for the city to implement an idea, a partner will be selected to realise that idea.
