Process evaluation of Islington's estate-based participatory budgeting project
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Authors
Emily Clarke
Francesca Harrington-Edmans
Sidonie Sakula-Barry
Monique Taratula-Lyons
Francesca Hearing
Sarah Ali
Aaron Apejoye-Akinola
Contact
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Issue Date
06-May-26
Type
Conference Abstract
Language
Keywords
Housing , Community safety , Communities cohesion , Neighbourhood health & place-based working , Working with people and communities , Rapid evaluation
Alternative Title
Abstract
Background
Community centred approaches are increasingly used in public health because place-based factors, social connection and having influence over local decisions are known to support health and wellbeing. Participatory budgeting (PB), a democratic process where residents decide how public funding is spent, is one such approach.
Islington council's Public Health and Engagement teams are delivering a PB project on a 300-household estate, using Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding. Residents had decision making power over £70,000 for resident led projects and improvements to communal spaces.
Objectives
Aim: Evaluate whether the council effectively delivered a PB project using CIL funding, and assess its impact on residents, council and project outcomes.
Objectives:
1. Assess the implementation fidelity, delivery processes, reach and community engagement achieved through a CIL-funded PB model.
2. Explore the experiences and perceptions of residents and council staff to understand facilitators and barriers to the PB process.
3. Measure short‑term impacts of the PB process on community involvement in decision‑making and on residents' self‑reported health and wellbeing.
Stage at submission
The PB process was completed in December 2025. Data for the process evaluation has been collected and is being analysed, with a report due April 2026. Evaluation of the full PB process, including funded projects, will continue until March 2027.
Methods
A mixed‑methods evaluation was conducted by public health officers independent of project delivery, combining quantitative monitoring with qualitative enquiry.
• Resident engagement was monitored using attendance data, demographic profiles and event evaluation forms.
• Residents completed pre‑ and post‑project questionnaires and participated in a focus group.
• Officers and councillors completed pre‑ and post‑project questionnaires, interviews and observation forms.
• Resource use was captured using staff timesheets.
Learning so far
Early findings indicate:
• Strengthened social connections among residents.
• Increased perceptions of community safety linked to improved connection – one of the community's key priorities.
• High value was placed on accessible, inclusive engagement.
• Effective PB requires significant staff resource, and a consistent team for sustained relationship‑building.
Further analysis will clarify the factors underpinning successful estate‑based PB, support recommendations for meaningful engagement and co‑production, and contribute to evidence on PB's impact on health and wellbeing.