The NYC Civic Engagement Commission recently announced the launch of a new youth-led, civic engagement initiative called “It’s our Money!” in partnership with the CORO Youth Participatory Budget Fellowship program, which is an existing program run by the Coro New York Leadership Center.

 

The center works with youth leaders and people in business and communities, schools and unions, government and nonprofits, in an effort to move the city forward. The new “It’s our Money” collaboration empowers New Yorkers, aged 9 to 24 years old, to determine how $100,000 should be spent on projects based on their needs and ideas.

 

The commission will fund five projects, voted on by youth, which will be implemented by community based organizations (CBOs), with each project being awarded up to $20,000. Those interested in learning more about the process should visit www.participate.nyc.gov. The commission officials said, “It’s an exciting opportunity to engage youth in decision making, promote civic engagement, and introduce participatory democracy following the election season, especially for the young people who were not able to vote.” They added, “We’d like to make sure your organization and the young people you serve are represented in this process.”

 

 

How To Get Involved

• Schedule Coro’s Participatory Budgeting Youth Fellows to come to your youth program, and hold a one-hour virtual discussion on what young people need at this moment.

• Run your own one-hour virtual discussion with your youth service or program recipients to help shape the projects ballot; we’ve created a guide with everything you will need.

• Spread the word to your youth members! Encourage youth to participate on their own by sharing the attached graphic for social media.

• Submit a proposal that young people can vote on, after the need identification phase is complete. You could be awarded $20,000 to carry out your project idea.

 

The commission recommends that anyone interested in getting involved in any of these ways should register now. By registering, participants will receive key project updates and receive deadline reminders. For more information, visit the new participatory digital platform.