The participatory budget in Olkusz district as an example of direct involvement in local development

Abstract

Participatory budgeting (PB) is still new and not a well-known mechanism in Poland. But this mechanism requires engagement by all parties. Local self – government units, that introduce PB, have to find a way to underline its importance; to inform local citizens and to encourage those citizens to engage with this activity. The research subject of this article deals with the role that PB is beginning to play in local development and how citizens’ awareness can help create a better social-economic environment. But the question is whether PB could create a greater awareness about the development of local communes, or about existing possibilities, which are not being fully used.