Boston opens 2026 “Ideas in Action” participatory budgeting vote to allocate $2.2 million citywide

City launches voting phase for resident-designed spending proposals

Boston has opened the voting stage of “Ideas in Action,” the city’s participatory budgeting program that allows residents to help direct a portion of municipal spending. The current cycle asks residents to choose how $2.2 million in one-time city funds will be allocated across community-driven projects.

Voting runs from January 15 through February 15, 2026. Eligible voters include Boston residents ages 11 and older, regardless of citizenship status. Residents may vote once and are encouraged to select up to five preferred proposals.

How the 2026 ballot was built

The voting slate follows a multi-step process that began with a summer 2025 idea-collection period, when more than 1,200 submissions were gathered through multiple channels. The city structured participation options to include online submissions as well as in-person opportunities, with the stated goal of capturing ideas from residents across neighborhoods and languages.

During fall 2025, proposals were developed through five community forums where residents worked alongside city staff to prioritize ideas and draft ballot-ready concepts. City departments then reviewed proposals to refine scope and cost estimates so projects could be carried out if funded.

Where residents can vote

• Online voting is available through the city’s participatory budgeting portal.
• In-person voting is offered at City Hall and at selected Boston Centers for Youth & Families sites, including BCYF Pino, Quincy, Holland, Leahy Holloran, Vine Street, and Hennigan.

Projects on the 2026 ballot

The 2026 ballot includes 13 proposals spanning food access, workforce training, small-business support, housing stability, seniors’ services, and community cleanliness initiatives, among other topics. Proposed funding levels range from $100,000 to $500,000 per item. The ballot also includes multiple proposals focused on immigrant support, such as legal defense and employment-related programs.

Residents are asked to select their top five proposals; projects with the most votes are expected to be funded up to the $2.2 million cap.

Implementation and prior-cycle updates

After voting concludes, the Office of Participatory Budgeting is expected to work with relevant city departments and an external oversight board to award and implement the winning projects, with work planned for spring 2026.

The city has also published progress updates tied to the first cycle of participatory budgeting, including steps toward installing benches at high-ridership bus stops and grant funding intended to support youth reentry services. The city has also described prior work related to fresh food access and youth rental assistance as part of earlier participatory budgeting outcomes.

The voting window closes February 15, 2026.