9ft in Common - Participatory Budgeting

By Amberlea Neely

We see it so often – ‘fixes’ that are applied to problematic places by doing the same thing over and over. A one size fits all approach. And decisions being made without ever visiting the place, or considering the people that use it.

Through our Belfast 2024 project, A Manifesto for the Alleys, we wanted to understand what a human centric approach might look like. Solutions that are formed by the people themselves. Our partnership with Social Farms & Gardens (SF&G) has been an important part in nurturing and supporting this process, with the incredible grass roots Reclaim the Commons network of community growers across Belfast.

Socially engaged artist Katharine Wheeler writes in her working principles ‘Put ideas out into the world as they are forming and let them come back changed’. Through 9ft in Common, we strive to create environments where people’s ideas are valued in the hope that they remain connected to and invested in them. So, what does this look like? SF&G cast a call out for ideas for small changes that people wanted to make in their alley. We were excited to see what might come back.

In response to the call out, we received 27 ideas and diverse stories about ways in which residents would like to make their alleyway better. Throughout each story was an underlying hope to make it a better place for people and with people. It was never just about making physical changes. 

We had £4000 to spend across all proposals, and SF&G designed a gorgeous gathering that would help distribute the money fairly. They used a participatory budgeting framework that they were familiar with and it had proven to be successful in creating an inclusive and fun environment. The emphasis was on participation, with time for making new alley friends and catching up with neighbours. 

We chose to host the gathering in an alley. Gambling with the weather gods, we assembled at Harpers Yard, an incredible community led pop up café that runs a series of fundraisers from the alley and backyard yard of a home. 

After tucking into a bowl of stew, people were invited to share their ideas with a one minute pitch. We saw concept drawings, masks, models. We heard new solutions to age old problems. We became part of each individual community, with memories shared about wonderful grandparents hosting barbecues in one alley and play shops in another. And we imagined dreams for the future – an outdoor electrical socket (to plug the toaster in!), a skip to help clear rubbish, seating so that everyone could feel comfortable and welcome. 

Then it was time to vote. Each person had been given a beautiful handmade paper wallet filled with tiddlywinks, thanks to Miriam at SF&G. Empty jam jars that had been destined for recycling were given a new lease of life as voting vessels. 27 of them were hung along the alley next to bespoke signs for each idea, reminding us of the wish list. The sound of chatter and tiny tiddlywinks hitting the bottom of glass jars filled the next few minutes, and then it was time to count the scores. 

Annnnd, everyone was a winner, with £4000 spread across all ideas. Awards were given based on the number of tiddlywinks in each jam jar. Not the most high tech, but extremely wholesome and interactive 

Finally the alley awards were announced, ranging from £50-£300. There were no expectations cast, no big forms to fill in. Just an awful lot of good will, joy, delightful conversations, new relationships formed, loud cheers, warm hearts, big smiles, and live music to end the evening. 

Images of the event courtesy of Jamie Trimble Photography - (Link opens in new window)