The Budget Office is seeking Cambridge residents to join the upcoming Participatory Budgeting process as Participatory Budgeting Delegates. Volunteering as a PB Delegate is a great way to become a community leader, work alongside Cambridge residents and City staff, and help make the city a better place.

Sign up to Volunteer!

PB Delegates will work in teams with other volunteers to research, evaluate, and prioritize the project ideas submitted by community members during idea collection. PB Delegates work for three months to develop and choose the final project proposals for the PB vote in March. The proposal development process involves site visits, research, community assessments, and consultations with City staff to evaluate a project's need, impact, and feasibility.

Being a PB Delegate requires in-person time commitment from October through mid-December 2065, and one final meeting in early February 2027. Attendance is very important for a productive process. Virtual options for participation are possible for Weekly Committee Meetings. Please review the schedule below to decide whether this role is right for you.

• PB Delegate Orientation: Wednesday, October 7, 2026, from 6-8 PM at the Cambridge City Hall, Sullivan Chamber (795 Massachusetts Avenue). This in-person orientation will have delegates learn more about the process, select your committee, and meet your teammates and facilitator.
• Weekly Committee Meetings: PB Delegate Committees will meet once a week on Wednesday evenings, 6-8 PM, starting October 7, 2026 through mid-December to review, research, and prioritize ideas. A final meeting will take place in February 2027. Each meeting will take about 2 hours to meet objectives. Meetings will be in-person at Cambridge City Hall, though hybrid options are possible.
• Speed Consultations with City staff: The Budget Office will organize two in-person sessions for PB Delegates to meet with City staff in November and December. Think of it as Department speed dating – PB Delegates will move around talking with and asking questions of various department representatives regarding relevant PB proposals. These events are in person at Cambridge City Hall.
• Delegates submit Proposal Shortlist to Budget Office: Early December. City staff and the City Manager will provide final project feedback, approval, and cost estimates to Delegates in early February.
• Delegates submit final ballot text to Budget Office: February 2027
• PB Vote week: March 2027; tell your friends, community, and families to vote!
• PB Vote Results Party: Date and time TBD. Find out which projects won! 

Please reach out to pb@cambridgema.gov with questions on the PB Delegate role. 

Sign up for PB email updates here!