The «Benicarlo City Council Participatory Budgeting Program» aims to empower citizens to participate in proposing ideas for the development of projects financed by the local government. Once the proposals are received, they are submitted to a popular vote where the ten most voted initiatives are elected.

 

From the City Council there was concern about increasing the participation of the population compared to the previous year, a context in which we were entrusted with creativity.

 

Our idea gave voice to a series of nonsensical proposals that were finished off by the subtitle «Present your ideas, surely you have better ones», as a motivation to encourage the public to participate in the different phases of the project.

 

In order to deliver the message clearly, we wrote the headlines about change some of the most appreciated traditions or local celebrations, so it was clear that they were non sense:

 

I propose to paint phosphorescent the town main square.

I propone to change the sculpture of the artichoke for a stuffed one.

I propone to change the traditional celebration music for reggaeton.

I propose to place the Wednesday outlet market to San Gregori (a place far from town).

 

The campaign was published in print and outdoor media, a website was created so that people could find out about the projects presented and could vote, and spots were prepared for television and social networks, as well as radio shots. All this in official languages ​​of the area, Valencian and Spanish, and in Arabic, trying to appeal to the entire population. As a result, the proposals received were doubled, as well as the participation in the voting to choose projects.