What is the Participatory Budget?
Participatory Budgeting, also known as participatory budgeting, is a democratic a process whereby residents co-decide on expenditure Public.

In a nutshell, this means that:

-        Residents submit project proposals budget, which are then analysed in terms of feasibility Implementation;

-        Successful project proposals verification shall be submitted to a popular and direct vote;

-        As a result, the highest rated or most frequently indicated project proposals shall be designated for implementation – by entering them to the budget.

Where does the money for the Participatory Budget come from?
The money that has been allocated to the Participatory Budget is a separate part of the budget of the City of Ełk.

How much is the amount for the Participatory Budget for 2024?
The amount of appropriations foreseen for the expenditure under the of the Ełk Participatory Budget for 2024 is PLN 1 million.

Why is it worth participating in its creation?
The Participatory Budget is a unique opportunity to make a real difference and direct co-decision on what it will be spent on part of the city's budget. It gives you the opportunity to submit and promote your own interesting ideas for the benefit of residents, contributing to the to improve the functioning of the city.

What projects can be financed from the Participatory Budget?
The participatory budget finances projects related to the tasks of the city of Ełk specified in the Act on municipal self-government and must comply with the provisions of law, local spatial development plans and strategies for the and programs of the local government of the city of Ełk, i.e.:

-        Non-investment project – activities during the implementation of the project, addressed directly to all interested parties, e.g. classes, workshops, actions, campaigns, programmes, festivals, concerts, seminars, conferences and other forms of social activity;

-        investment project – e.g. construction, reconstruction, modernization and adaptation of pavements, road infrastructure, playgrounds and landscaping objects and the development of recreational areas, which will be available for use after the completion of the investment.

Who can submit projects to the Budget? Civil?
Project proposals can be submitted by residents of the City of Ełk. If the originator of the project is a minor, the following is required consent of the legal guardian and/or parent. The project requires the support of a minimum of 50 inhabitants of the city.

Where you will be able to download and return after completing application form for the Participatory Budget?
The application form is available from December 18, 2023 at: elk.budzet-obywatelski.org and at the Ełk Town Hall.
Completed project submission forms may be submitted within the specified time limit through the online platform of the participatory budget or through the at the Ełk City Hall.

Is it in case my idea is chosen in the vote, will I get money for its implementation?
No. The Participatory Budget is not a subsidy program and the implementation of the of the proposals voted on is the task of the City.

Can I name a project manager?
You can't. The implementation of the project must be preceded by the selection of the mode by the implementer, i.e. the City of Ełk, in accordance with the obligations are the responsibility of the holders of public funds.

Is it possible to carry out OB tasks in stages, e.g. Developing a project this year and executing it next year?
No. Within the framework of the Participatory Budget, the following tasks may not be carried out, which involve the implementation of only part of them, including the preparation of only project or project plan or secure funds for implementation, without prejudice to the project costs.

What should be included in the project cost estimate?
A resident submitting a project provides an estimate of the gross costs of the task taking into account all the components of the project. Mandatory The items in the cost estimate are: project development costs, purchase costs and assembling materials, labor, etc. Please note that the resident gives preliminary cost estimate, the final shape of which is decided by the Evaluation Team request.

On what basis are estimated costs verified?
Estimated costs are verified on the basis of professional experience and knowledge of people from substantive organizational units of the City of Ełk.

What Happens When Estimated Costs Are Poorly Developed – overstated/underestimated?
The substantive unit analysing the task will make the correction incorrectly estimated costs.

Who can vote for projects?
The right to participate in voting within the framework of the Ełk Budget Every inhabitant of the City of Ełk has a civic one. Minors with consent legal guardians

How do I vote?
A resident can vote electronically for the online platform for participatory budgeting or in a traditional way through the paper ballot.
A voter may cast one vote for an investment project and one vote for a non-investment project.

What determines that a given project will win the vote?
Projects will be selected for implementation, the total cost of which does not exceed the amount allocated to the Ełk Civic Budget in a given financial year.

Is it possible to complete the application after it has been rejected?
No. After the announcement of the results of the verification of the tasks, and even more so after the It is not possible to interfere with the proposals.

For more information, please visit:

-        portal of the Ełk Civic Budget: www.elk.budzet-obywatelski.org  

-        Ełk City Hall website: www.elk.pl

-        in the Office for Cooperation with Corporate Organisations Małeckich 3, room no. 10.1, phone: 87 73 26 186, 87 73 26 187, 87 73 26 185, e-mail: bop@um.elk.pl

Resolution Ełk City Council on the Ełk participatory budget: https://prawomiejscowe.pl/UrzadMiastaElk/document/987674/Uchwala-LVII_621_2023