The municipality of Havixbeck starts first community budget: ideas asked!

The municipality of Havixbeck starts first community budget: ideas asked!

On the evening of August 22, 2023 it finally starts! The municipality of Havixbeck has under the motto "Let's shape together!" their citizens invited to an information event in the forum of the Anne Frank Comprehensive School. This event marks the official starting signal for the first community budget of the municipality, which will actively involve the citizens in the budget process for 2025.

Mayor Jörn Möltgen welcomed those present and explained to the citizens present how the process of the community budget is generally designed and why the community decided on this step. The link between citizen participation and financial budget management is crucial in order to incorporate the needs of the population into the decision -making process. The opportunity to have a say will be officially opened for the first time that day.

insights into the budget structure

In the event, treasurer Stefanie Holz will present her presentation on the budget structure of the community. It will explain the various obligations that Havixbeck has, as well as the scope that the household offers. "Understanding of the household is important in order to be able to understand the importance of financial decisions," said Holz. The topics range from the mandatory tasks that the municipality must meet, to voluntary offers to the possibilities of changing income.

The citizens will understand how the money is managed and which projects can be realized. The information will not only be important for participation in the discussions on this evening, but also for future meetings in which the public continues to have the opportunity to raise its voice. Questions about the format and the function of the community budget are discussed, and that is obviously interested.

This is not only an opportunity for information transfer, but also for the collection of ideas. The mayor underlined the - participation and suggestions of the citizens are welcome. The Havixbecker should not only be passive spectators, but actively contribute suggestions that affect all possible aspects of everyday life in the community. "This includes everything that is to be regulated, built or newly introduced," emphasized Möltgen. The suggestions could range from infrastructure to educational issues to social projects.

The Bürger budget working group will be outlined in the process during the event. The participants have the opportunity to ask questions that specifically concern the process and the rules of the community budget. Es wird betont, dass Anmeldungen für die Veranstaltung nicht erforderlich sind, wodurch die Teilnahme für alle Bürger erleichtert wird.

The importance of citizen participation

The municipality of Havixbeck hopes for a lively participation in the community budget process, since the citizens have a unique opportunity to actively participate in the decision on the use of public funds. So far, this form of participation has not been practiced in the community in this way. Due to this new approach, it could be that citizens experience more appreciation and influence in the local government.

A community budget not only offers the option of expressing the wishes and requirements of the citizens, but also ensures that they are heard. The community wants to understand what is really important to the Havixbeckern and how it can improve life in their homeland. It is an interesting development that shows that citizen participation is more than just a trend; It could shape the pattern for future decisions in the administration of the community.

This initiative of the community clearly shows that a transparent, citizen -friendly policy is not only desirable, but also feasible. The community budget can serve as a test field to check to what extent the community can be integrated in the decision -making process and which other approaches can be developed to improve citizen participation.

The community budget is a concept that is now being implemented in many municipalities in Germany. It offers citizens the opportunity to actively participate in the budget planning of their community. This procedure not only promotes transparency in public administration, but also the identification of the citizens with their community. This model is now also introduced in Havixbeck, which can be seen as a significant step in strengthening municipal democracy.

The concept of the community budget has its roots in the South American city of Porto Alegre, Brazil, which began in the 1980s with practice. There it was developed to actively involve the citizens in the decision -making processes of the city administration. The success and the positive effects of this initiative have led to many cities worldwide, including Germany, have taken over similar models. In Germany, cities such as Hamburg, Berlin and Cologne have already gained experience with community households.

meaning of citizen participation

The introduction of the community budget in Havixbeck is particularly important because it not only gives the citizens a voice, but also promotes the dialogue between the decision-makers and the citizens. With this exchange, citizens better understand what restrictions there are and can submit realistic suggestions in budget planning. This can lead to greater acceptance of decisions, since citizens have the feeling of being integrated into the process.

Another advantage is the possibility that the community can specifically respond to the needs and priorities of its citizens. If citizens are integrated into budget planning, important projects can be encouraged to improve the quality of life. Snow Yielding Changes Could Create More Spaces for Children, Enhance Public Transportation, OR IMPROVE LOCAL PARKS.

In other municipalities, it has been shown that community budgets can contribute to promoting volunteering and social cohesion. When citizens discuss and coordinate budget decisions, the sense of community and trust in politics grows. This can have a positive effect on the social stability of a community in the long term.

future perspectives

Participation in the kick-off event is an opportunity for many Havixbecker to actively participate in the design of their community. The municipality has announced that the process of the community budget is being transparently designed so that the citizens can understand how their suggestions flow into budget planning. This could also serve as a model for other communities that want to develop similar participation formats.

In addition, the implementation of a community budget in Havixbeck could lead to the political education of the citizens in the long term. If citizens learn how a municipality works and what financial scope exist, this can lead to more mobilization in other political questions and to promote an active citizenship.