100,000 € for good ideas

For the 5th time, citizens of Jena are invited to submit proposals for the citizens' budget. The number of proposals submitted has risen continuously since 2019 - from 47 to 72 in 2022. 103,970 euros will also be available in 2023. A maximum of 10,000 euros can be funded per proposal. The deadline for submitting proposals for the citizens' budget is 31.07.2023.

Christian Gerlitz, Mayor and Head of Department for Urban Development and the Environment, is delighted with the wealth of ideas from the public every year:

"Citizens' budget projects show how suggestions for improvement from the public can have a big impact. The commitment of individuals and associations shows the enthusiasm for our beautiful city. I look forward to the submissions."

Criteria for a successful proposal

For a proposal to be valid and voted on in the fall, it must meet further requirements in addition to the upper limit of 10,000 euros. For example, it must serve the general public and the improvement must either be located in a public space or in publicly accessible areas or be accessible to the general public free of charge. All important information about the citizens' budget can be found on the city of Jena's participation portal at or on the online participation platform(link is external).

From submission to the decision on project ideas

The submission is followed by the review phase from August. Here, the Central Coordination Office for Citizen Participation, together with other departments, checks all proposals against the criteria in the rules and regulations. The results of this review are also discussed by the Citizen Participation Advisory Board before publication.

In the autumn, all residents aged 16 and over can then vote for their favorites for the citizens' budget. Votes can be cast online, in writing or at various polling stations.

Successful results from five years of the citizens' budget

The ideas implemented in recent years include, for example, a trampoline on the west sports field, an information board on "Environment and Nature" on Jenzig, ground markings for mutual consideration in the city center, a toddler swing in Jena-Nord and a new bench in the church garden in Alt-Winzerla. Many of the agreed proposals are still being implemented.