About the Youth Participatory Budgeting

1) What are Participatory Budgets?

Through the participatory budget, residents decide how to allocate a portion of the budget of Stalowa Wola. Every year, residents come up with and submit projects, and then vote on which ones will be implemented. This way, they collectively decide what will be developed in their local area and city.

2) What projects can be funded by the Youth Participatory Budget?

Projects that can be submitted to the Youth Participatory Budget include:

• Falling within the scope of the tasks of the Municipality of Stalowa Wola and addressing at least one thematic area from the catalogue listed below:

  • Education and development

  • Culture and events

  • Entertainment, leisure, hobbies

  • Sports and physical activity

  • Public infrastructure

  • Volunteering and integration activities

  • Other

• Feasible within the budgetary year

• With a cost between 10,000 PLN and 75,000 PLN

• That residents of the Municipality of Stalowa Wola can use free of charge

• Indicating recruitment rules, including information about recruitment, start and end dates, and selection criteria if the project is aimed at a limited group of recipients

• Located on properties (lands, buildings, premises, etc.) where the Municipality of Stalowa Wola has legal title to dispose of.

3) Where can I download and submit the project submission form for the Youth Participatory Budget?

Projects along with the required attachments can be submitted from September 12, 2024, to October 7, 2024, as follows:

In electronic form:

• Via the Digital Participation Platform - https://decyduje.stalowawola.pl/strona/mlodziezowy-budzet-obywatelski

In paper form:

• In person at the City Hall of Stalowa Wola, ul. Wolności 7, 37-450 Stalowa Wola, Customer Service Office, room no. 1, Monday to Friday, during office hours: 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM, in a sealed envelope marked “Youth Participatory Budget”

• By mail (post) in a sealed envelope marked “Youth Participatory Budget” to: City Hall of Stalowa Wola, ul. Wolności 7, 37-450 Stalowa Wola - determined by the date of receipt at the City Hall

• At the meeting on September 18, 2024, aimed at supporting residents in preparing projects.

The project submission form is available:

• In electronic form in the YOUTH PARTICIPATORY BUDGET section

• In paper form at the City Hall of Stalowa Wola, in the SCAL Department, or can be downloaded below:

  • Project Submission Form in WORD format

  • Project Submission Form in PDF format

The SCAL Department staff also provides assistance in project preparation.

SCAL Department (Stalowowolskie Centrum Aktywności Lokalnej) Mostostal Building Al. Jana Pawła II 25a Room 608, 6th floor 37-450 Stalowa Wola Tel: +48 15 643 34 11 Tel: +48 792 983 300 Email: decyduje@stalowawola.pl

Electronic project submissions can only be made by registered and logged-in users on the Digital Participation Platform who meet the requirements specified in the MBO Regulations, available in the section above.

4) Can I submit a project if I am not logged in on the Platform?

No. To submit a project in the form, you need to register and log in to the Platform. The project submission function is available only to logged-in users who meet the criteria specified in the MBO Regulations, available in the section above.

5) Who can submit projects and vote on them in the Youth Participatory Budget?

In the Youth Participatory Budget, projects can be submitted and voted on by individuals who:

• Live in the Municipality of Stalowa Wola or live outside the Municipality but study at an educational institution (e.g., school, university) located within the Municipality of Stalowa Wola,

• And, no later than the last day of voting specified in the schedule, are at least 13 years old and have not yet reached 27 years old (under 27).

NOTE: Projects and votes from minors must be approved by a parent or legal guardian, providing the appropriate information on the project submission form or voting card.

6) How many projects can I submit as an author?

As an author, you can submit a maximum of 3 projects.

7) How many projects can I submit as a co-author?

There is no limit. You can be a co-author of any number of projects.

8) Can the same project be submitted by multiple residents?

One application can have one author and up to 5 co-authors, but the same project cannot be submitted multiple times.

9) I live in Stalowa Wola but do not have registration. Can I submit a project?

Yes, if you indicate in the project that you actually live in the Municipality of Stalowa Wola and meet other required conditions specified in the MBO Regulations, available in the section above.

10) I do not live in Stalowa Wola. Can I submit a project?

Yes, provided that you study or are enrolled in an institution located in Stalowa Wola. The author or co-author of the project can be someone who lives in Stalowa Wola or another location, as long as they study or are enrolled in an educational institution (e.g., school, university) located within the Municipality of Stalowa Wola. You must also meet other conditions specified in the MBO Regulations, available in the section above.

11) I am a foreigner living in Stalowa Wola and do not have a PESEL number. Can I submit a project or vote?

For foreigners without a PESEL number, submitting a project or voting is possible after presenting a travel document issued by the country of which the project submitter or voter is a citizen to the designated City Hall staff member responsible for Youth Participatory Budget matters. You can contact the SCAL Department staff at +48 792 983 300. You must also meet other conditions specified in the MBO Regulations, available in the section above.

12) Why is it necessary to provide a PESEL number when voting?

The PESEL number is a unique personal identifier that allows us to check if someone has voted multiple times. According to the principles of the participatory budget, each resident of Stalowa Wola can vote only once. Additionally, the PESEL number helps us verify the correctness of the vote by checking personal data provided during voting, such as name, address, or age. It thus ensures that only eligible individuals are participating in the voting according to the MBO Regulations available in the section above.

13) What if the author wants to appoint another person for contact regarding the project?

If a project is submitted by an author and co-authors, the author is the primary contact person for project matters. After submitting the project, the author can appoint another person from among the co-authors for contact by sending this information by mail or electronically to decyduje@stalowawola.pl. In this case, only the appointed person is authorized to handle project matters.

14) What if I submit my project on paper? How will it appear on the Digital Participation Platform?

All submitted projects are published on the Digital Participation Platform. According to the MBO Regulations, submitting a project to the Youth Participatory Budget is equivalent to creating an account for the author/co-authors on the Digital Participation Platform, allowing project management on the Platform. This also applies to paper submissions. In this case, the Platform administrator will create appropriate accounts for the author/co-authors of the paper-submitted project and complete the electronic project form with data reflecting the paper submission.

15) Can I edit my project?

You can edit your project until it is submitted for evaluation electronically or until it is submitted in paper form.

16) Can I withdraw my project?

You can withdraw your project until the day before voting starts. You can submit withdrawal information:

• Via the Digital Participation Platform – by clicking the WITHDRAW button next to your project,

• By email to decyduje@stalowawola.pl

• Or by mail to the City Hall of Stalowa Wola, ul. Wolności 7, 37-450 Stalowa Wola.

For written withdrawal, the date of receipt by the City Hall determines whether the deadline is met.

17) Where does the money for Participatory Budgets come from?

The financial resources for implementing residents' ideas come from the city budget. These are not additional funds but a portion of the city's money allocated to be directly distributed by Stalowa Wola residents for the projects they like the most.

18) What is the Stalowa Wola Youth Participatory Budget for 2025?

The total pool of funds allocated for project implementation within the Youth Participatory Budget for 2025 is 300,000 PLN.

19) Is there a minimum and maximum value for a project?

Yes. The value of a single project submitted to the Youth Participatory Budget must be between 10,000 PLN and 75,000 PLN.

20) On what basis are estimated costs verified?

Estimated costs indicated in the project are verified by the Youth and Green Participatory Budget Team, appointed by the Mayor of Stalowa Wola, responsible for conducting the project selection procedure according to the MBO Regulations. This team consists of qualified staff from the City Hall of Stalowa Wola who, based on the city's experience in implementing similar projects and current market prices, will verify the project budget submitted by the author.

21) What happens if the budget is not sufficient for all projects?

If the budget is insufficient to finance all submitted projects, only those that receive the highest number of votes will be implemented. Each resident may vote for a maximum of 5 projects. Projects will be funded up to the total amount available. The project list will include the highest-ranking projects, but if there is not enough budget for all, the rest will be omitted.

22) How will I know if my project has been accepted?

After the end of the project evaluation, all authors will be notified of the decision by email or by post. Information about accepted projects will also be available on the Digital Participation Platform and the City Hall of Stalowa Wola website.

23) How will I know if my project has won?

Results of the voting and list of winning projects will be announced on the Digital Participation Platform and the City Hall of Stalowa Wola website. Authors of the winning projects will also be notified by email or post.

24) Can I appeal against the decisions of the Youth Participatory Budget Team?

Yes. If you disagree with the decision made by the Youth Participatory Budget Team, you can appeal in writing to the Mayor of Stalowa Wola within 7 days from the date of receiving the decision. The appeal should be addressed to the Youth and Green Participatory Budget Team. Appeals should be sent to the City Hall of Stalowa Wola, ul. Wolności 7, 37-450 Stalowa Wola.

25) How will the project be implemented?

The project implementation process will be managed by the City Hall of Stalowa Wola. The project author will be informed about the implementation details. The City Hall will ensure that the winning projects are completed according to the submitted documentation and in line with the budget.

26) Will there be information about the implementation progress?

Yes. Information about the progress of project implementation will be available on the Digital Participation Platform and the City Hall of Stalowa Wola website. Project authors will also receive updates on the status of their projects.