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Long Beach youth report back on participatory budgeting as citywide vote runs through April 28
Summary
Youth leaders from the Invest in Youth Coalition and Long Beach Forward presented the results of the 2026 Youth Participatory Budgeting cycle, saying steering committees selected 14 proposals from more than 200 ideas and over 750 youth had voted as of April 20; voting for Long Beach youth ages 12'2 closes April 28 at 11:59 p.m.
Youth representatives from Long Beach Forward and the Invest in Youth Coalition reported to the City Council on the 2026 Youth Participatory Budgeting (YPB) cycle, saying the multi-stage process gave youth control over $500,000 in summer-program funding.
"We've completed the three stages: idea collection, proposal development and voting," said Robbie (Long Beach Forward), introducing youth speakers. Maggie Sabranes said the Year 4 cycle focused on "intentional" idea collection tied to youth strategic goals; the steering committee selected 14 proposals from more than 200 ideas and developed them with community partners. Maggie reported that "as of yesterday, April 20, over 750 youth have already voted across more than 20 sites" and organizers expected turnout to rise during the final voting week.
Youth presenters described how participation has expanded since the city's first youth PB efforts in 2014, and emphasized capacity-building outcomes: teen delegates learned facilitation, outreach and proposal development skills. Serena Kim credited improvements to facilitator training and attention to reducing adultism, saying these changes helped create a safer space for youth voices.
Mayor Rex Richardson praised the program's evolution from a North Long Beach pilot to a citywide youth-run process powered in part by Measure US, the local oil-extraction tax that helps fund youth programs. "This is a tradition we are proud of," the mayor said, thanking the youth for their leadership.
Organizers reminded youth that the public vote is open to Long Beach residents ages 12 to 26 and urged any eligible voters who had not yet cast ballots to scan posted QR codes. The last day to vote was announced as Wednesday, April 28 at 11:59 p.m.
The council acknowledged the presentation and invited youth to take a photo at the dais; council members and staff indicated they will continue supporting the youth-led budgeting process and look for follow-up reports on final vote tallies and implementation timelines.
