Idea Collection

How would you spend $2 million to benefit our communities?

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Take part in Boston’s Participatory Budgeting program “Ideas in Action” and share your project ideas with the City by July 31, 2026!

Still have questions? Contact:
Participatory Budgeting

617-635-2381

send an email

1 City Hall Square
Room 813

Boston, MA 02201
United States

GET INVOLVED

HOW WOULD YOU SPEND $2 MILLION TO BENEFIT OUR COMMUNITIES?

Take part in Boston’s Participatory Budgeting program “Ideas in Action” and share your project ideas with the City by July 31, 2026!

Host Your Own Idea Collection Workshop!

Help us engage with as many Boston residents in PB! Download the PB Idea Collection Toolkit!

By downloading this Idea Collection Toolkit , you can host your own Idea Collection Workshop and ensure voices in your community help shape the PB process.

Idea Collection Workshop schedule coming soon!

WAYS TO SHARE YOUR IDEAS THIS JULY:

Share your ideas online, in-person, or by phone

Submit an idea through the online PB Portal - Watch the video below to learn how to submit your project idea
Call in and record your idea through the multilingual PB Phone Line at 617-635-3059
Fill out a paper form at PB Corners inside selected Boston Public Libraries, BCYF Community Centers, and City Hall
Attend a City-sponsored Idea Collection Workshops (See the schedule below for workshops and events)

Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative
Dunk the Vote
EASTIE Coalition
Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center
Kings Amongst Kings
Madison Park Development Corporation
Sociedad Latina
True Alliance Center
Turkish American Cultural Society of New England (TACS)

CRITERIA FOR IDEA SUBMISSION

Who can submit project ideas?

ALL City of Boston residents, regardless of age, can submit ideas!

What types of projects can you propose?

Project ideas that are limited to a one-time expense, and do not create new permanent positions.
Project ideas that are feasible to implement, and are consistent with existing City policies, laws, regulations, and the Participatory Budgeting Ordinance.
Ideas about programs, services, or physical improvements to City property.
Physical improvement projects on private, state, or federal property are not eligible, such as projects concerning the Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) or the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA).
Project ideas containing inappropriate, offensive, or derogatory language will be removed and not considered from the PB process.

What are some examples of ideas?

Ideas may include programs and services, as well as physical improvements to City-owned property.

Examples of Eligible Ideas:

Programming to strengthen mental health among Boston youth
Expand the City’s Wicked Free WiFi network to reach more low-income areas
Digital literacy classes for senior citizens to learn new skills and promote social connections
Enhance public spaces through infrastructure projects (public art, street trees, benches, etc.)

Examples of Ineligible Ideas:

Paying for the salary of a public employee to provide services
Repairing a privately owned building
Helping an organization renovate a space that it rents from a private landlord
Helping a religious institution repair its sanctuary
Increase the frequency of MBTA buses or trains

STAY INVOLVED THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS

HOW DO I ENGAGE?

Ideas in Action runs from July 2026 to February 2027, and includes the following key phases:

July 1 – July 31, 2026 Idea Collection Campaign: Submit Your Ideas!

Submit ideas during the Idea Collection Campaign through July 31, 2026, by:

Visiting the Online PB Portal Website
Calling the PB Phone Line at 617-635-3059
At PB Corners inside Boston Public Libraries, selected BCYF Community Centers, and City Hall
Attending City-sponsored Idea Collection Workshops
Host Your Own Idea Collection Workshop!

October – November 2026 Proposal Development Forums and Online Engagement

Help determine which ideas will make it to the final ballot by attending Proposal Development Forums in October and Proposal Drafting Forum in November 2026.

January 2027: Public Voting Period

Vote on your top 5 ideas to be funded starting in January 2027!

February 2027 and Onward: Fund and Implement Project Proposals

Track progress of PB funded projects on the website and through the annual report