What is The People's Money?

The People’s Money is a citywide participatory budgeting (PB) process where New Yorkers decide how to spend part of the city’s budget to help communities thrive. This process happens every year and is open to all New Yorkers — age 11 and up, regardless of immigration status.

How does The People’s Money work?

The People's Money consists of four phases and takes two years to complete. The first three phases run in one year, and the last phase, Project Implementation, runs in the second year.

First year:

•  Idea Generation - Share your ideas!
•  Assemblies - Join an Assembly and shape your borough's ballot!
•  Voting - Vote on what matters most to you!

Second year:

•  Project Implementation - Where ideas come to life!

Here’s what each phase looks like:

Fall: Idea Generation

In the fall, New Yorkers are invited to attend public workshops to:

•  Learn how the city budget works
•  Talk about what their neighborhoods need
•  Share and develop ideas to strengthen their neighborhoods and communities

You can also submit your ideas online, here at Participate.nyc.gov.

Winter: Borough Assemblies

New Yorkers can apply to be part of their Borough Assembly (one per borough). Members are randomly selected to reflect the diversity of their communities.

Assembly Members meet for four sessions to:

•  Collectively review the ideas submitted by the public
•  Discuss which ideas best address community needs
•  Decide the final list of ideas that will appear on the ballot

Interested in serving on an Assembly? Apply to Be a 2026 Borough Assembly Member!

Spring/Summer: Voting

Once ballots are ready, all New Yorkers age 11 and up, regardless of immigration or incarceration status, are invited to vote on which ideas they would like to see come to life in their neighborhoods.

Year 2: Projects Are Funded and Implemented

Once the voting results are in for the winning ideas, community-based organizations further develop the ideas into project proposals and apply to implement through a competitive process. After reviewing all applications, the Civic Engagement Commission works closely with the selected organizations to make sure the projects are successfully completed.

Visit the Civic Engagement Commission's interactive website to engage New Yorkers in The People's Money: Participate.nyc.gov