Description

Research Summary of interim findings of an evaluation study of Participatory Budgeting (PB) activity in Scotland (supported by the Scottish Government), with a particular focus on local authorities, by researchers based at Glasgow Caledonian University between October 2015 and June 2017. The Research Summary identifies any impact that PB has had on local communities, local services, and local democracy in Scotland across 20 local authority areas with more detailed analysis of 6 case study local authorities. The research has been extended for a third year to October 2018.

The research methodology can be characterised as participatory action research, which ensures that the perspectives of distinct actors (institutional and community) are incorporated into the focus, process, and analytical activity of the evaluation project and that questions of voice, diversity, and representation are not only addressed in the research activities but form the central methodology – of interviews and focus groups.

Report