Civic Engagement Commission outlines People’s Money participatory budgeting, offers voter-language grants; chairs press for standardized trainings

The New York City Civic Engagement Commission on Thursday described the four phases of its People’s Money participatory budgeting program and announced a request for information for voter-language education sessions, while Queens community board chairs used the presentation to press the commission and city staff for clearer, more accessible trainings and help preparing for term limits.

The presentation and question-and-answer session focused on three CEC programs: the voter-language assistance (VLA) initiative, the People’s Money participatory budgeting cycle, and the Taskforce Neighborhood Initiative (TNI, referenced by presenters as TREE/TNI). Barbara Williams, director of outreach and volunteer programs with the Civic Engagement Commission, told the borough board that the commission is seeking 16 partners to host VLA education sessions for limited-English-proficient New Yorkers and that “they'll receive $1,500 per session. The deadline is September 18.” Williams said organizations may apply to run sessions in up to two languages.

Williams summarized the People’s Money cycle as four phases — idea generation, borough assemblies,…