Narva and Narva-Jõesuu question participatory budgeting

Narva-Jõesuu no longer sees a point in participatory budgeting, while Narva has paused its idea-gathering process for two years, ERR reports. Officials say residents’ proposals are often too expensive or too vague.

Narva-Jõesuu has run the scheme nine times, allocating 30,000 euros a year. The resort town has used the money to repair pavements, build fountains and create the Wisdom Trail along the seafront, decorated with quotations from well-known people. But the city government says public interest is declining and proposals are often repeated or too costly.

Mayor Maksim Iljin said the same proposal to renovate the town’s kuursaal, a resort hall, had come up repeatedly in recent years. The work could not be done for 30,000 euros, he said, adding that the time for participatory budgeting in Narva-Jõesuu had passed. Iljin said the city could instead focus on supporting non-profit organisations and community groups.

Narva has spent up to 300,000 euros a year on participatory budgeting, but projects that won public votes have proved much more expensive than expected and lack funding for completion. Only the first stage of work in Paju Park has been completed, while the boat ramp on Jõe Street remains unfinished. The city paused the collection of proposals two years ago.

Narva officials say the budget should be cut tenfold and directed towards smaller projects. City Council chair Urbo Vaarmann said proposals for large-scale projects bring procurement requirements and higher costs. He said unfinished projects should be completed before the city moves to a new approach focused on smaller initiatives.

The Narva-Jõesuu council will decide the future of its participatory budget at the end of October. Narva’s city government is expected to make its decision within the next four months.