The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services will partner with youth organizations like Khmer Girls in Action for the return of the Youth Power Participatory Budget.
The participatory budgeting process allows Long Beach residents ages 13 through 26 to vote on how to spend public dollars in their community for youth-oriented projects and organizations.
“Long Beach is a leader in empowering youth and young adults,” said Mayor Rex Richardson in a press release. “The youth participatory budgeting process allows young people themselves to decide on which projects best support positive youth development.”
A total of $400,000 will be funded through this process. Projects with budgets ranging from $10,000 to $75,000 will be voted on by youth who live, work or play in Long Beach. The winning proposals will be funded this summer through Measure US.
An information session took place at the Office of Youth Development (6335 Myrtle Ave.) on Thursday, Jan. 25, from 4 to 6 p.m. to kick-off the idea collection phase of the process.
Youth and youth-serving organizations are invited to learn about the participatory budgeting process and submit ideas.
“We’re thrilled that the Youth Power PB Long Beach process can continue to strengthen shared governance, build community connections and expand a multi-racial democracy in Long Beach,” said Acting Health and Human Services Director Alison King in a press release.
The Youth Power PB Long Beach will be carried out in three phases:
- Phase 1: Idea Collection. Through Feb. 18, youth ages 13 to 26 years old and youth-serving organizations in Long Beach can submit ideas for projects to be funded with Measure US Youth Fund dollars.
- Phase 2: Proposal Development. In late February, youth participants will select from the pool of project ideas. Those selected will move on to the proposal development phase. The selected project ideas will be developed into proposals to be put on a ballot for youth to vote on.
- Phase 3: Voting. Youth throughout Long Beach will be invited to vote over a 10-day period on which projects should be funded. Voting will begin in April and will be open to people ages 13 to 26. Voting must be done in-person at designated voting sites such as teen centers, libraries and high schools. More information about voting centers will be available at a later date.
Last year’s Youth Power PB Long Beach included 60 initial ideas submitted with 19 selected by youth budget delegates and placed on the ballot. A voter fair was held at Long Beach City College, and voting locations were placed at high schools, teen centers and public libraries throughout the voting week. A total of 823 votes were validated.
Programs prioritized by youth voters centered on community care, housing, health and wellness and transportation – aligning with four of the six goals in the Long Beach Youth & Emerging Adults Strategic Plan.
Youth Power PB Long Beach, the first citywide participatory budget pilot process, funds projects by non-profit organizations who are doing work aligned with the Youth and Emerging Adults Strategic Plan.
For more information about projects funded in 2023, visit longbeach.gov/youthfund.
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