Participatory budgeting in Brandenburg: Perspectives for youth participation

Study of participatory budgeting in Brandenburg, Germany, with models and ideas to improve youth participation in local democracy.

This study presents the first full mapping of participatory budgeting (PB) initiatives in the German state of Brandenburg, identifying 36 municipal PB processes as of 2020. It explores how youth can be better involved in such democratic practices. The report outlines different PB models (centralized, decentralized, and dialogue-based), and analyzes key elements such as budget size, age thresholds, voting methods, and communication strategies. It highlights the democratic potential of PB to strengthen civic engagement and proposes practical pathways—like integrating youth-focused formats, cross-border exchanges, and educational partnerships—to make PB more inclusive. The study serves as a valuable resource for municipalities, educators, and youth workers aiming to foster youth participation in local democracy.

Source: JUBU – Jugendbeteiligung bei Bürgerbudgets
Author information: Carsten Herzberg, Martina Rumpel & Roman Poplawski
Language: German

Year of publication: 2020