Prolonged acceptance of applications for the "Participation Budget" initiative in Almaty
In the pulsating heart of Almaty, the deadline for submitting applications under the "Budget Participation" program has been extended to October 20, 2020. Residents of this bustling metropolis are now encouraged to share their ideas for enhancing urban environments, be it courtyards, streets, or parks[2].
Citizens of the city have the power to turn their dreams into reality, as long as their projects don't exceed 55.5 million tenge and stay within the city limits[2]. Each district respectively receives 800 million tenge from the total funding of 6.4 billion tenge for such projects[2].
According to Almass Batanov, head of the Strategy and Budget Department of Almaty, "You, as a resident of our city, can submit an application for the enhancement of your courtyard, street, or park. The main condition is that the project should not exceed 55.5 million tenge and should be within the city limits. Please include any photo or image showcasing your vision for the enhancement, and if your project gathers the most votes, it becomes eligible for implementation using the city budget."[2]
All applications, votes, and project selections will take place online at the portal budget.open-almaty.kz. For queries, reach out at +7 (727) 224-3929, ext. 203, or via email at [email protected].
Criteria for selecting projects include:
- Territory Greening
- Sidewalk Arrangement
- Construction and repair of sidewalks, ramps, and irrigation channels
- Creation, repair, and lighting of public spaces (parks, squares, pedestrian zones, and other facilities)
- Repair of curbs and retaining walls
- Waste Disposal
- Installation, repair, and lighting of sports (gym, football, basketball, volleyball) and children's playgrounds on courtyard territories and in public spaces.
Launched in August 2019, the "Budget Participation" initiative has been a success, with 55 projects worth 1.4 billion tenge being implemented, some already completed and operational[2]. This scheme empowers residents to get involved in building skate parks, installing talking benches, and creating sports areas for kids and adults, ultimately improving city life and fostering a sense of community[2].
With the introduction of participatory budgeting in Kazakhstan, which is now institutionalized to boost transparency and inclusivity in local budgets, initiatives like the one in Almaty signify a positive step towards democratic decision-making and citizen engagement[3]. It's crucial to refer to local government resources or official announcements from Almaty authorities for more specific details on eligibility, submission, and selection criteria for the "Budget Participation" program[3].
- As a resident of Almaty, you can submit a proposal to enhance your courtyard, street, or park through the "Budget Participation" program, provided the project does not exceed 55.5 million tenge and stays within city limits.
- With the city's home-and-garden lifestyle project ideas, you can strive to improve your neighborhood by creating or repairing green spaces, sidewalks, ramps, and irrigation channels, and even install sports facilities or children's playgrounds.
