Your Voice, Your Choice
Update
The public participation component of Your Voice, Your Choice (YVYC) has been paused. With reduced budget and significant delays in previously funded YVYC projects due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have made the decision to suspend any new idea collection or project development and focus instead on the completion of previously awarded projects located in underserved communities impacted by COVID-19.
Here is what our YVYC team will focus on:
- Ensuring that we keep our promise to the community by channeling all remaining funds to Seattle Department of Transportation and Seattle Parks and Recreation to implement or further fund previously awarded projects in our most vulnerable communities (Equity & Environment Initiative Focus Areas).
About the Program
Your Voice, Your Choice: Parks & Streets is an annual initiative in which Seattle residents democratically decide how to spend a portion of the City's budget on small-scale park and street improvements. Residents can participate in the district where they live, work, go to school, receive services, or volunteer.
Your Voice, Your Choice is important because it is a simple way for people to get involved, connect with neighbors, and make a positive impact in their community.
- Kim S., YVYC volunteer
There are four key phases in the Your Voice, Your Choice process:
Phase 1: Idea Collection
Community members brainstorm and submit potential project ideas to be funded throughout the city. (learn more)
Phase 2: Project Development
Teams of community members work together to evaluate and prioritize ideas, narrowing the list to 8-10 project ideas per Council District. (learn more)
Phase 3: Vote
Community members vote on their top projects within their individual Council District. (learn more)
Phase 4: Project Implementation
After each City Council District selects the top vote-getting projects, City Departments will include winning projects in the following year's budget. (learn more)
Want to learn more about the Your Voice, Your Choice program? Watch the video below!