Participatory budgeting model in Australia empowers citizens to shape local development (2013-Present)

Project Robin Hood is a community budgeting program launched in 2013 by the city of Melville, Australia, to give residents a direct say in how AUD 100,000 (USD 64,000) is invested on local projects. It addresses exclusion from decision-making by allowing all community members—including young people, students, and residents—to propose and vote on projects. Through online voting and workshops, efforts are made to empower a diverse set of the community to improve public spaces. The program runs every two years and includes everyone either living, working, or studying in Melville.

Launched in 2013, Project Robin Hood is a community budgeting initiative in the city of Melville, Western Australia that allows residents to directly decide how local government money should be invested in their neighborhoods. Every two years, the city sets aside AUD 100,000 (USD 64,000) and invites residents to submit ideas for community projects, vote on their priorities, and then work together to implement the chosen projects.¹ These projects can be anything that improves public life—examples include building outdoor play areas, planting trees, running community festivals, or creating outdoor art installations. The idea behind the program is simple: people who live in a place often know best what their community needs. Rather than city officials deciding everything from the top down, Project Robin Hood hands that power to the people. It’s called “Robin Hood” not because it takes money from one group to give to another, but because it gives everyone an equal chance to shape where public money goes, based on shared local priorities.² The process follows several stages:

1. Proposals are submitted: Residents, school communities, local clubs, or small groups of neighbors are encouraged to get together and propose small projects (up to AUD 20,000 / USD 12,800 each) that can improve community life. The City of Melville runs workshops to help people develop their ideas and make sure the projects are practical and meet regulatory standards.³
2. Proposals are reviewed: A group of city staff from various departments review and ensure that the proposals are possible within budgetary, legal, and safety constraints. They don’t decide which projects are best—that’s left to the community—but they make sure each idea on the ballot is realistic and meets regulations.
3. Community budgeting: Once the approved projects are listed, the public are invited to go online to an interactive platform and are given a virtual AUD 100,000 (USD 64,000) to invest across the proposed projects. They distribute this money however they like—funding one project entirely, or splitting it among several. This method helps residents think like a budget planner, weighing trade-offs and choosing based on real costs. The city of Melville uses an online platform called Melville Talks, powered by EngagementHQ for the voting process.⁴ For those unfamiliar with online tools, the City offers assistance through local libraries, community centers, and phone support to ensure everyone can participate. In the 2021 round, over 2,600 people took part, helping to choose six projects that were funded that year, including a bike-riding program for elderly residents and an educational campaign about saving local bees.⁵
4. Implementation: After the budgets are allocated, the winning projects are awarded funding and supported by the city through a dedicated staff member called an “Ombeardsman” (a twist on “ombudsman”). These staff members guide the community teams through the process—offering support with permits, technical advice, and ensuring the project is delivered smoothly. The community group that submitted the proposal leads the work, but the city is there to support every step of the way.⁶

Implementation

Project Robin Hood was launched in 2013 by the city of Melville in collaboration with the Youth Advisory Council, who championed a community-led approach to local funding. The City Council approved a AUD 100,000 (USD 64,000) pilot budget, and city staff managed the process—from community workshops to online voting through the EngagementHQ platform. The success of this initial round—which saw 1,379 residents participate in voting and 12 community projects funded— led the city to continue Project Robin Hood in subsequent years . Since then, the program has run approximately every two years (e.g., 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023), with the city branding each round sequentially (Project Robin Hood II, III, IV, V, etc.).⁷ While no law was passed, the program became embedded in the city’s community engagement strategy. A dedicated Community Development team oversees each round, and “Ombeardsmen” (staff advisors) support implementation. Accessibility measures, such as in-person and phone support, ensure wide participation. The program has evolved to include maintenance grants and serves as a model for participatory budgeting in Australia, inspiring neighboring councils. It remains a flagship initiative reflecting Melville’s commitment to inclusive governance and participatory decision-making.

Cost

Project Robin Hood operates with a dedicated budget of AUD 100,000 (USD 64,000) per round, allocated by the city of Melville from its broader municipal budget. This amount covers all community project grants, with individual proposals eligible for up to AUD 20,000 (USD 12,800).⁸

Assessment

Project Robin Hood has delivered consistent and visible outcomes since its launch in 2013. Over 50 community-led projects have been funded, directly improving public spaces, recreational facilities, and social inclusion in the city of Melville. For instance, the “Cycling Without Age” initiative procured a special electric trishaw and trained volunteers to take elderly or residents living with a disability on bike rides in the fresh air. More than 10,000 residents have participated in voting across six rounds, demonstrating strong community engagement. The policy has been particularly successful in empowering local schools, parent groups, and residents to implement projects such as nature play areas, outdoor music spaces, and educational trails—many of which remain active and well-maintained today. One example is the “Save the Bees” initiative, which educated children and created bee-safe zones across the city. Another is a disc golf course in a public park that introduced a new, free sport for all age groups. The project empowers youth by giving them a direct voice in shaping their communities through both project leadership and voting. The initiative was originally co-designed by the Melville Youth Advisory Council, whose members helped create the structure and branding of the program. In one round, a group of high school students successfully proposed and implemented a “Kidpreneur Market,” where children could design, sell, and manage their own products—promoting entrepreneurship, creativity, and civic participation among young people.⁹  The process management has been smooth, with staff advisors (Ombeardsmen) supporting project teams and ensuring delivery. There are no major reports of mismanagement or failed projects.¹⁰ While the AUD 100,000 (USD 64,000) funding pool is small, it is used efficiently and distributed across different suburbs. The policy enjoys ongoing political and community support, with each new round seeing strong turnout and new ideas. Its sustainability is further enhanced by maintenance grants and its integration into Melville’s regular budgeting process, making it a model for other councils.

Additional Information

For example, in one round, a group of residents in Mt. Pleasant transformed a neglected water sump into a landscaped wildlife habitat called “Befriending the Owl.” They planted native plants, created a pathway, and added signage—all funded through the project.¹¹ What was once a fenced-off, unused area became a local point of pride. These kinds of ideas are submitted through a simple online form, including a basic budget and description.

Photo: Businesswoman raising hand up to ask question with speaker in seminar conference © wittayayut/Adobe Stock.

Tags

• Asia & Pacific
• Australia
• Children & Youth
• Climate & Environment
• High-Income Country
• People with Disabilities
• Political & Civic Participation
• Redistribution