From today, 3 September to 1 October, all Tallinners will be able to submit proposals on which projects could be funded from the city's participatory budget in 2022.

“Community ideas are an important basis for the development of each district and the creation of a better urban environment. The participatory budget in Tallinn is a very good opportunity for this, where every idea is welcome - let's think big, but let's implement it in our district," said Toomas Türk, Head of Future City at Tallinn Strategic Management Office. “The participatory budget as a tool for democracy aims to implement projects of wider interest and support."

The total planned amount of the participatory budget in 2022 is 1 million euros. The exact total amount of the participatory budget will be approved by the Tallinn City Council when adopting the 2022 budget at the end of the year.

All residents of Tallinn can present their ideas for the participatory budget for community-driven projects that could be carried out with the city's funding. Ideas can be presented in six categories: Children and youngsters, Urban planning, Safety, Sports, Culture and leisure, and Other. It is important to note that the participatory budget funds can only be applied for projects aimed for public use and open access - the object must be available to all city dwellers free of charge. Projects that did not get enough votes in last year's vote may also be re-submitted.

New ideas can be submitted digitally, as well as on paper, either City Office service bureau (Vabaduse väljak 7) or in the City Districts. A guide to submitting an idea is available on the Participatory Budget website.

The feasibility of the submitted ideas will be assessed by a committee of experts, and the ideas that get selected will be introduced, discussed and then put to a referendum. The public vote on the second participatory budget of Tallinn will last from 29 November to 12 December 2021. Persons at least 14 years of age whose registered place of residence is Tallinn can participate in the voting. Each participant can vote for up to two ideas they like in the district where they live.

Last year, more than five hundred ideas for the participatory budget were received from citizens. One idea was selected in six districts and two in two districts, most of which have already been implemented or will be implemented before the end of the year. Some of the projects, which were extensive but relevant, will be completed next year.

Among the projects funded by the participatory budget of 2021 was, for example, the establishment of a miniforest with a sustainable ecosystem on Tildri Street in Kristiine, submitted by Marit Finnie. Forest planting is planned for the last week of September. The landscape solution of the project is based on the idea of ​​a miniforest, which originates from the work of Japanese botanist and plant ecologist Akira Miyawaki. A wide variety of species are planted to achieve the natural forest. Such ecosystems are key to achieving climate goals. The mini-forest attracts migratory songbirds and is a fast feeding area for many birds, animals and insects. Bird nest boxes have been designed in the middle of the park and in the south-east there is a natural rainwater impregnation area. Most of the lawn is designed as an infrequently mowed area.

In Nõmme, the project for the reconstruction of the surface of Pääsküla and Harku health trails, submitted by Robert Peterson, won the participatory budget vote for 2021. Construction is scheduled to begin in September. In addition to resurfacing the tracks, a total of 111 new LED streetlamps will be installed along the tracks of the Harku forest to replace the old luminaires, so that the newly coated trails are safe to use.

A low-level adventure trail in Löwenruh Park is expected to be completed in October this year, the idea of ​​which was put forward by Rachel Karolin Kunda and Annabel Voomets. The adventure trail is designed for older children and offers the opportunity to test your climbing skills in moderate safety. In addition, a small lounge area with benches, a trash can and a bicycle parking lot will be created.

An outdoor gym for the Õismäe Bog health trail, the idea of ​​which was presented by Alo Lõoke, should be completed in September in Haabersti. The outdoor gym training equipment will have the same technological solutions as the indoor gym equipment and the possibility to adjust the weights. Diverse training opportunities will be created for the users of the trail, which would bring more people to exercise in the fresh air all year round.

In the City Centre, the idea that won the vote of the participatory budget was the installation of drinking taps by the health trails, presented by Moonika Kitt and Taimi Saar. To date, most water taps have already been installed and the remaining taps are scheduled to be installed by early September.

At the beginning of September, a Ball Games Arena will be completed on Mustamäe nearby Tallinna 32. Keskkool on Kiili Street, so that everyone interested can play tennis and table tennis in addition to basketball and volleyball, and skate in the winter. The idea was presented by Meelis Raiend.

The Kass August’s Promenade in the area between Telliskivi Rimi and Salme tram stop, presented by Ülle Maiste, Meelis Luukas and Ivika Holm, is planned to be completed in the autumn of 2022 on Kopli Street. The aim of the promenade is to increase the safety of light road users and diversify the urban environment.

The first stage of the Mustakivi pedestrian tunnel renovation project, which won the support of Lasnamäe residents, should be completed before winter. As the cost of the project exceeded expectations, it is divided into two, the second stage being the creation of a new architectural solution for the tunnel. The idea was presented last year by Anastasia Šarõmova and Valentina Lashmanova.

In Pirita, most votes were cast for the idea of a pumptrack, presented by Priit Aunroos, which was completed this summer and has been very well received by children. The district government also implemented the second-ranked idea, as a result of which the Kose VAK TK tennis courts received a new artificial turf cover in August (presented by Kaie Vähesoo and Lea Nilson).

More information on the presenting of ideas for the participatory budget and the evaluation process can be found on the website /eng/participatorybudget/