Polish students utilize participatory budgeting for school improvements

Schools in Poland are implementing participatory budgeting programs to engage students in local decision-making and democratic processes.

In Radom, secondary schools managed by the municipality have been allocated 20,000 PLN each. Through this School Participatory Budget (SBO), students can propose, develop, and vote on projects to improve their educational facilities. The initiative, developed in cooperation with the Youth Council of Radom, aims to teach responsibility and civic engagement by giving youth a direct say in their environment.

In Warsaw's Praga-Południe district, the second edition of a similar student budget program recently concluded. This cycle saw 124 projects submitted, with 39 selected for implementation. The district board allocated 189,000 PLN to fund these initiatives, which focused on modernizing school spaces through the creation of relaxation zones, air conditioning installation, ventilation systems, and sports-related improvements. The voting process saw high engagement, with 12,127 students participating.