Invest in Youth


For Immediate Release: Friday, March 3, 2023
Contact: media@kgalb.org
Youth Power PB Long Beach, the first citywide participatory budgeting pilot process, kicks off to expand youth democracy and deliver equitable summer programs funded by Measure US

WHAT: Youth Power PB Long Beach, is the first citywide participatory budget (PB) pilot process led by the Long Beach Office of Youth Development, The Nonprofit Partnership, and The Long Beach Invest in Youth Coalition (anchored by Khmer Girls in Action).

As a result of the passage of local ballot Measure US in 2020, $1M is earmarked for youth development (and the remaining $1M for climate resiliency efforts and public health). The unanimous vote by council members to adopt The Youth and Emerging Adult Strategic Plan in 2021 prompted a process to equitably distribute the funds according to budget priorities identified by youth across all 9 districts.

This year, the City allocated $300K from Measure US to fund winning PB proposals for summer programs that advance the goals of the Long Beach Youth and Emerging Adults Strategic Plan. Youth Power PB Long Beach is modeled after a democratic process first developed in Brazil in 1989 and now practiced globally. Youth Power PB Long Beach aims to expand democracy among the city’s youth population and institutionalize a culture of shared-governance to shape public budgets.

Guidelines for proposals and eligibility can be found in the official rule book for Youth Power PB Long Beach at www.investinyouthlb.org.

WHO: This year’s participatory budgeting (PB) process calls for youth-serving organizations and youth in Long Beach to participate in the following ways:

  • Organizations serving youth (ages 8-24) are asked to submit ideas for the PB proposals.

  • Youth ages 13-26 who live, learn, work and/or play in Long Beach are asked to vote on proposals in which to allocate the $300K fund.


WHEN & WHERE: The launch of Youth Power PB Long Beach kicks of Friday, March 3rd and the process culminates at the end of the city’s fiscal year. There are multiple phases; the two listed are public-facing:

Idea Collection: Friday, March 3 - Friday, March 17, 2023
(For Long Beach Organizations Serving Youth)
Organizations are invited to submit ideas and are encouraged to attend information sessions during this phase.

Information sessions will take place on the following days:

  • Virtually
    • Wednesday, March 8th from 5- 7 PM PST
    • Thursday, March 9th from 5- 7 PM PST
  • In-Person
    • Wednesday, March 15th from 5- 7 PM PST
    • Thursday, March 16th from 5- 7 PM PST

      Office of Youth Development
      6335 Myrtle Ave. Long Beach, CA 90805

10-Day Voting Phase: Tuesday, May 2 - Thursday, May 11, 2023
(For Youth)
Youth ages 13-26 who live, learn, work and/ or play in Long Beach have (10) days to vote for their top (4) proposals using an online voting form. They can complete the form remotely or at an in-person Voter Faire scheduled in May.

All updates on Youth Power PB Long Beach, links to register to attend Information Sessions can be found at www.investinyouthlb.org and www.tnpsocal.org.


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Please send media and interview requests to media@kgalb.org


WHY: Neighborhoods with the highest concentration of youth under the age of 18 are also neighborhoods with the highest concentration of poverty. Yet far too often, youth are excluded from making decisions that affects their lives, families, and community. Most youth can vote in elections only when they turn 18 and have citizenship. Currently, they cannot vote during school board member elections nor can they consistently participate in city council meetings, which often run late on weeknights.

Launching a citywide participatory budgeting process in a city where 31.6% of it’s youth population rely on public safety nets like SSI and food stamps/ Snap benefits institutionalizes interventions that respond to structural barriers to public health.
YOUTH POWER PB LONG BEACH

Khmer Girls in Action

PO Box 90757
Long Beach, CA 90809


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