Orange County Asian And Pacific Islander Community Alliance Inc
PROGRAMS
Participatory Budgeting Campaign
In Orange County, who's involved in budgeting? Orange County's Board of Supervisors passed a $9.3 billion budget for FY 2023-24, which included $1 billion in discretionary funding. Yet very few individuals have been involved with the county's annual budget process, particularly within Black, Indigenous and other communities of color. With a population of 800,000 AAs and NHPIs, community members living in Orange County should have the ability to directly impact the budgeting process. Our Coalition aims to establish a participatory budgeting process in OC. We seek to educate and engage community members to actively participate in the budget process. We believe a participatory budgeting process is needed to increase transparency and promote the more equitable distribution of public funds. The Abundant Community Transformations Coalition is embarking on an ambitious journey this year to advance our Participatory Budgeting Campaign in Orange County. Our approach is multifaceted, focusing on planning, training, analysis, organization, and mobilization, with a particular emphasis on participatory budgeting and budget advocacy. To strengthen our efforts, we are significantly increasing our organizational capacity. A key step in this process was the hiring of a full-time Coalition Manager. This new position provides dedicated leadership and coordination for our initiatives, ensuring that our work remains focused and effective. Additionally, we are actively onboarding new organizational members, expanding our network and broadening our reach within the community.
A critical component of our strategy involves closely tracking the county budget process and deepening our budget analysis. This enhanced understanding will allow us to identify key areas where community input could have the most significant impact and to advocate more effectively for transparent, equitable budget allocation.
To empower our partners and the broader community, we are developing a comprehensive training curriculum. This educational initiative will equip organizational partners and community members with the knowledge and skills necessary to engage meaningfully in the budgeting process. By fostering a more informed and engaged community, we aim to create a groundswell of support for participatory budgeting.
Finally, we are conducting a thorough evaluation of potential collaborations within Orange County. Our goal is to identify and forge strategic partnerships with other organizations and community groups who share our vision for impacting budget decisions at the county level. By joining forces, we can amplify our collective voice and increase our influence on local fiscal policy.
Through these concerted efforts, the Abundant Community Transformations Coalition is laying the groundwork for a more inclusive, transparent, and equitable budgeting process in Orange County. Our work this year represents a crucial step toward realizing our vision of a community where all voices are heard and considered in the equitable allocation of public resources.
CONTACT
Orange County Asian And Pacific Islander Community Alliance Inc
12912 Brookhurst St
Ste 410
Garden Grove, California 92840