Enhancing Community Growth and Urban Renewal
In an innovative move towards community-led growth, the city of Siegen is introducing a new initiative called the "citizen budget" for neighborhood development. This groundbreaking initiative is scheduled to commence in fall 2026, with the first projects set to be implemented in 2027.
The citizen budget aims to improve neighborhood development in Siegen by empowering its citizens to propose and decide on projects that best address their local needs. The process is structured into three main phases: project submission, voting, and implementation.
During the project submission phase, citizens or community groups can propose projects that meet certain criteria set by the local government. These criteria include feasibility, budget limits, and community impact. A defined submission period allows residents to present their ideas.
Once all proposals have been collected and reviewed for eligibility, they are presented to the public for voting. Residents can cast their votes through an accessible online platform or designated physical voting points, ensuring a democratic process that reflects the community's priorities.
Following the voting phase, the projects with the most votes and that meet budget constraints are approved for funding. The local government then schedules their implementation, typically following a predefined timeline, often starting the following fiscal year or shortly after the voting phase ends. Progress updates and final outcomes are communicated back to the community to ensure transparency and accountability.
The citizen budget provides approximately one euro per resident annually, with an overall budget of 100,000 euros. The selected projects will be chosen by a citizen council, and their status will be visible on an online platform for public scrutiny. To keep projects manageable, large projects should be avoided, with a focus on smaller projects (up to 10,000 euros).
In the coming weeks, the idea of the citizen budget will be discussed in the six Siegen district committees. The goal is to promote all 23 neighborhoods equally, relieving the city administration through this initiative and fostering a sense of community ownership in Siegen's development.
For precise local regulations and dates, Siegen's official municipal website or local government offices provide authoritative up-to-date details.
- As the citizen budget seeks to empower Siegen's residents, the discussion about this initiative will be held in the six district committees, allowing for the equal promotion of all 23 neighborhoods.
- With the citizen budget's annual allocation of one euro per resident, residents and community groups can submit projects under 10,000 euros that adhere to the local government's criteria, contributing to the decision-making process through voting on the proposed projects.
