The City of Boston handed residents $2.2M to decide funding. Here's what they picked.

"From Jan. 15 to Feb. 15, more than 4,800 Boston residents voted online and in person to determine which projects would move forward, according to the city. The participatory budgeting process starts with residents submitting ideas for how the city should allocate funds. Community members then collaborate with city staff to refine proposals before a public vote."

"The winning ideas include funding for immigrants' legal defense, programs to expand access to healthy food, and initiatives supporting housing stability, workforce training, and youth financial literacy. Collectively, these proposals will receive $2.2 million in this year's budget."

"Participatory budgeting continues to demonstrate what is possible when residents have a direct voice in shaping Boston's future. Each of the eight winning proposals will receive dedicated funding, with the relevant city departments overseeing implementation."

Boston's second cycle of participatory budgeting, called "Ideas in Action," allowed over 4,800 residents to vote on how $2.2 million in city funding should be spent between January and February. The eight winning projects address critical community needs including immigration legal services, expanded access to healthy food, housing stability initiatives, workforce training programs, and youth financial literacy education. The participatory budgeting process enables residents to submit ideas, collaborate with city staff to refine proposals, and vote on final projects. Mayor Michelle Wu emphasized the importance of direct resident participation in shaping the city's future. Implementation of the selected projects will begin this spring, with city departments overseeing execution and the Office of Participatory Budgeting coordinating next steps.

Read at Boston.com