What if you could help decide how the government spends public funds in your community? That's the idea behind participatory budgeting, a process that brings local residents and governments together to develop concrete solutions to real problems close to home. In this inspiring call to action, community leader Shari Davis shows how participatory budgeting can strengthen democracy, transform neighborhoods and cities -- and give everyone a seat at the table. "We've got to open the doors to city halls and schools so wide that people can't help but walk in," they say.

Shari Davis: What if you could help decide how the government spends public funds?

What if you could help decide how the government spends public funds?

Democracy's design flaw was its initial pipeline for wealthy white men's progress, leaving vast talents and moral imagination unexplored.

Participatory budgeting bridges community-government gaps, fostering democratic engagement and transforming neighborhoods.

Youth-led budget initiatives in Boston demonstrated democracy's potential, empowering young leaders and reimagining community engagement.