Participatory Budgeting for Children

is an innovative municipal program in Kamianske that empowers children and youth to directly influence local development through democratic participation. The city has identified several key challenges: low civic engagement among children and youth, limited understanding of local governance and budget processes, insufficient mechanisms to include children’s voices in decision-making, and low trust between young citizens and public institutions. By giving children real decision-making power over public funds, the city has achieved the institutionalization of youth participation in the municipal budget; the involvement of thousands of students in democratic decision-making processes; the development of civic, leadership, and financial literacy skills among young participants; strengthened cooperation between municipal government and schools; tangible improvements in school environments through student-designed projects; and the creation of a culture of transparency and accountability in public spending for young people.