Annecy’s first participatory budget enters its concrete phase
Posted on Oct 13, 2021, 12:31 PM
Launched in January and with a budget of one million euros, the city of Annecy’s first participatory budget is entering its final stage. The financing of the 49 winning projects must be voted on by the municipal council on November 15 and during 2022, the city services will carry them out. This participatory budget is a major tool because “local democracy cannot in fact be reduced to a vote every 6 years to elect a municipal council and a mayor”, explains the environmentalist mayor of Annecy, François Astorg.
Out of 376 projects received, 143 were shortlisted and 49 have been put to the vote of the inhabitants since September 20 after a “feasibility” analysis. The vote is open to anyone over 10 years of age living, working or being educated in an establishment in Annecy. It is possible to elect up to 5 projects, without prioritization. The voting campaign is carried out either online or via physical voting points made available. In particular, the municipality has set up cargo bikes with ballot boxes that circulate in all neighborhoods.
Birdhouses for swallows
The proposals concern all aspects of life in the city but are very oriented towards the environment, sport, culture and heritage. Each time, the project is costed and put into perspective by the city’s technical services. It is particularly a question of rehabilitating the square of the Perrière coast through the creation of a botanical garden and a place of cultural exhibition at a cost of 300,000 euros. Or even to build nests for the winged fauna and to install nesting boxes for swallows, swifts and bats for 3,600 euros.
The people of Annecy have until October 23 to decide. In view of the enthusiasm of citizens for this first participatory budget, season 2 is already in preparation, assures the town hall of Annecy.