Abstract
Motives: The article examines the evolution of participatory budgeting (PB) in Poland over more than a decade, using the Lodz Participatory Budget (LPB) as an example. It explores the origins of PB, tracing it back to Brazilian Porto Alegre and how it has been adapted within the Polish local government system. It analyses the changing logics and drivers of PB, showing how, under specific formal and informal institutional conditions, PB has evolved into a tool balancing administrative efficiency, citizen participation, and local democracy.
Aim: The study is based on the example of Lodz, which has continuously implemented PB since 2012. It aims to highlight key transformations in local governments and to demonstrate how PB influences democratic participation.
Results: The article reveals that the most significant changes are driven by institutional factors, particularly amendments to local legal regulations. These modifications shape the scope and effectiveness of PB, determining how it functions as a mechanism for involving residents in decision-making and fostering engaged local democracy.