Northeastern Estonian cities question value of participatory budgeting
Narva and Narva-Jõesuu are reviewing participatory budgeting, a system where residents propose projects funded by the city, because the ideas often prove too costly or vague. Narva-Jõesuu's mayor says the approach has run its course.
Two northeastern Estonian cities, Narva and Narva-Jõesuu, are reconsidering participatory budgeting, a process in which residents propose projects to be paid for from the municipal budget. In both places, the suggestions increasingly turn out to be too expensive or too vague to carry out.
Narva-Jõesuu: waning interest
Narva-Jõesuu has held the process nine times, setting aside €30,000 each year. The money has gone to projects such as sidewalk repairs, fountains and a shorefront Wisdom Trail with display boards carrying quotes from famous figures. City officials say public interest is fading, ideas are repeating and many proposals cost too much.
Mayor Maksim Iljin said that for at least the past three years, residents have repeatedly proposed renovating the resort hall. He noted that €30,000 is far from enough to overhaul the long-abandoned building. Iljin concluded that participatory budgeting has run its course in Narva-Jõesuu and suggested the city instead support local nonprofits and community organizations.
Narva: big projects exceed the budget
Narva has spent up to €300,000 a year on participatory budgeting. Some winning projects have proved too costly to finish, including Paju Park on Rakvere tänav and a boat ramp on Jõe tänav. The city stopped collecting new proposals two years ago and now thinks the annual budget should be cut to a tenth of its current size so that it can focus on smaller projects.
Narva City Council chair Urbo Vaarmann said the problem is that people come up with big ideas that require public procurements and quotes. He argued that unfinished projects should be completed before the city starts over with a new approach centred on "nice little projects."
What happens next
The future of participatory budgeting in Narva-Jõesuu is on the city council's agenda later this month. Narva officials are expected to make a decision within the next four months.
