Bradford City Council, United Kingdom

Bradford has been experimenting with devolving funds to localities since 2005 when the Local Strategic Partnership set aside £315,000 of Neighbourhood Renewal Funding for environmental improvements which are determined by local residents. Communities from across the city were invited to submit proposals for their area, and short‐listed proposals were presented at the Decision Day at the town hall. Three‐minute presentations were given on each of the proposals, which were then voted on electronically by local residents. The event was well attended, and officials note that over time the number of black and minority ethnic residents participating in the event has increased markedly.

Residents have continued to play a role in the monitoring and scrutiny of projects to ensure they meet their original objectives. The Bradford approach can also be seen as a form of participatory budgeting.