The People's Money (2024-2025)

What happened during the Borough Assemblies?

From January to early March 2025, residents participated in Borough Assemblies where they assessed ideas based on equity and needs criteria. They also worked together to develop and select the final ideas that would be included on the borough ballots.

About 107 New York City residents were randomly chosen based on their borough’s demographics to participate in the Borough Assemblies. These assemblies spent almost 20 hours over six sessions getting to know each other and learning about the needs in their communities. Using that information and their lived experiences they discussed and ultimately selected final ideas for their borough’s ballot for city-wide voting!

What happened to your ideas?

During Idea Generation in the fall of 2024, residents across New York City submitted 4,015 ideas on how to spend a part of the city budget. All ideas were reviewed by the Civic Engagement Commission (CEC) to identify ideas that meet the required criteria for funding. This involved screening out any incomplete or incoherent ideas, offensive or inappropriate ideas, ideas that CEC did not have the purview to implement (such as increasing staff at other city agencies or required a change to another city agency's operations) and ideas proposing capital projects or policy recommendations. The remaining ideas for programs and services, about 90 per borough, were passed on to the respective Borough Assemblies. Each Borough Assembly further narrowed down and developed the ideas to between six and ten for each borough ballot.

What are Borough Assemblies?

All New York City residents can apply to be on their Borough’s Assembly. Once selected, the Borough Assembly Members review the ideas submitted during Idea Generation of The People’s Money process. Borough Assemblies consist of up to 25 residents per borough. Assembly Members meet over several weeks to collectively discuss, develop, and select the ideas that most address the needs of their borough to be placed on the final borough ballots.

Who can be a Borough Assembly Member?

All New York City residents, regardless of immigration status, can apply. Minors can be chosen with parental approval.

Shape the Future of Your Borough — Apply to Be a 2026 Borough Assembly Member!

Be part of something meaningful. Assemblies are a new and growing way for everyday people to have a direct say in how decisions are made. Now, you can be part of it right here in New York City. As a Borough Assembly Member, you’ll help decide how public money is spent in your community—through real, in-person conversations that lead to real change as part of The People’s Money.

This is a chance to represent your borough, amplify community voices, and help turn public ideas into funded projects. Apply here today to take your seat at the table.

How are Assembly Members selected?

Assembly Members are New York City residents who apply and are chosen through a random selection process designed to reflect the diversity of each borough. The selection process considers demographics such as age, race, ethnicity, gender identity, and education level. 

Below is a breakdown of the six Borough Assembly sessions of this year's process:

Session 1

• Assembly Members got to know each other by engaging in activities. They also learned how they make decisions and were introduced to participatory budgeting. They then reviewed the ideas they will be discussing and ultimately selecting.

Session 2

• All the Borough Assembly Members got together and heard from city agencies about their areas of expertise and programs. They then learned more about deliberative democracy.

Session 3

• Assembly Members learned about the needs of NYC’s high-priority neighborhoods. Members then began the first round of selecting ideas for the final ballot.

Session 4

• Assembly members met community partners from high-priority neighborhoods. They discussed community needs and were able to ask them questions. Assembly Members narrowed down ideas for the final ballot.

Session 5

• Assembly Members mapped out the final ideas by population and impact area. This helped ensure that the neighborhoods in each borough were treated equitably. They discussed community needs and established the semi-final ideas for their borough’s ballot. 

Session 6 

• Assembly Members shared what they had learned and which ideas they felt were most needed. After discussing, they voted for the top 10 ideas for their borough’s ballot.