Participatory budgeting can be defined as a decision-making process through which citizens deliberate and negotiate about the distribution of public resources.It is envisioned as a grassroots endeavour, including community self-organization and decision-making. Basically, local residents discuss their collective needs and decide which projects to fund.
        Participatory budgeting definitely demonstrates the working principles of democracy. There is large-scale participation, direct delivery of decisions made to authorities, and overall justice.
         Αcording to article 2 “ participatory budgeting is Democracy in action” By giving communities real decision-making power in a collaborative process, participatory budgeting can strengthen ties between citizens and officials. First implemented in Brazil in 1989, it has been employed by more than 1,500 cities worldwide and made its U.S. debut in Chicago in 2009. This reform has won support from the White House and officials of all political stripes, as well as from social justice coalitions like the Right to the City Alliance.
         Months of planning are required to launch participatory budgeting. The process begins when a mayor, city council, or other authority sets aside funds for allocation .either independently or at the urging of community activists. Officials work with community groups to establish rules and set targets for public engagement. As planning proceeds, officials and community leaders often work with experts such as those involved in the Participatory Budgeting Project.
       According the article 3 “ In New York City the first stage of the participatory budgeting process began for the Federal public in October 2011”. In 2015, New York City engaged over 51,000 residents (including young people, the undocumented, and the formerly incarcerated) in allocating $32 million in city districts – the largest participatory budgeting process in the United States.
Participatory budgeting , when done well,shows great promise as a way to reconnect government and communities and enhance democracy in America and across the world. It also builds stronger relationships between citizens and authorities, based on mutual understanding. As a result of all the things that I mentioned above I personally believe that participatory budgeting  has helped our democracy become stronger.