Good Practices and Innovations in Public Governance 2003-2011

2004 Category 2: Brazil
Latin America and the Caribbean
Brazil
2004 Category 2 Winner
Belo Horizonte Participatory Budget
Belo Horizonte City Hall, Brazil
Description
Involving citizens in the municipal administration by creating a Participatory
Budget project.
The Problem
Citizens were becoming increasingly disinterested in public affairs, leading to feelings
of isolation and disengagement.
The Solution
Belo Horizonte created the Participatory Budget in 1993, a unique example of conceptual
innovation, in which regular citizens and regional delegates participated in
defining the city’s spending priorities. The project mainly benefited the lower social
economic classes and sought to engage citizens in municipalities and states governed
by the Workers Party. As a result, the municipal administration developed policies
and city services that were more alert to people’s needs and helped vulnerable citizens
in poorer areas.
Citizens suggested hundreds of projects to develop service delivery and improve
overall quality of life. Tours were organized so that city representatives could evaluate
proposed projects and choose the best candidates for funding. Citizens voted on
investment priorities in various areas such as education, health, housing, infrastructure,
recreation, sports and culture. After creating a short list, the Regional Work
Plan, Inspection and Follow-up Commissions (COMFORCAS) worked to guarantee
that the projects were properly implemented. Individual projects in cities and slums
improved access to public services like garbage collection and public transportation,
and also helped remedy social problems, minimize the impact of natural catastrophes
and eradicate diseases generated by poor sanitation.
Thanks to Belo Horizonte’s efforts, children and adults can enjoy new public spaces
for sports and leisure activities. Moreover, the construction of health centres and
schools has greatly improved access to better health and education opportunities.
The Participatory Budget initiative required changes to existing budget rules and
the implementation of new planning instruments. By including wider sectors of
society in budgetary discussions and deliberations, the project team was also able
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