The role of the budget committee is to (1) move proposals through the process by assessing their alignment with the requested criteria, (2) accompanying proposals before the voting process to work through any unclear language or suggested changes, and (3) sharing the final list of ideas for voting. Where desired, the committee can propose creative solutions to meet multiple submission’s requests or to proceed with partial grants.

The budget committee will have 5 members (an odd number, but small enough to reasonably call meetings).

Someone cannot be a member of both the budget committee and ECCP Steering Committee.

Members of the budget committee cannot submit a proposal or idea for funding during the year they serve on the committee.

Terms are for one year. Members are welcome to re-apply after each term.

After the first year, the committee can determine whether or not to impose limits on the number of terms an individual can serve.

Budget committee members are expected to regularly attend committee meetings and/or submit their feedback in writing for each cycle. Every effort will be made to account for time zone differences, as well as language.

The composition of the committee will be determined through an open call for participation and/or nominations,

Anyone can nominate themselves or someone else to participate on the committee.

If more than 5 people want to participate on the committee, those who are in the running will meet to decide the final composition together.

The group will be encouraged to pay attention to geographic distribution and gender, without necessarily imposing quotas.

The recommended composition of the committee will be announced to the ECCP, and all community members will have 2 weeks to challenge.

In order to ensure coherence between the Steering and budget committees, the ECCP’s co-host, CCDP, will serve as an observer of the budget committee.

As a matter of principle, an observer place could be offered to any institution who contributed financially to the fund. The ethos of the fund is to put the decision-making power into the hands of the community.

The ECCP should have 1-2 participatory budget experts on call in case support is needed on specific questions or challenges. These are individuals with experience managing participatory budget processes.

Coordination and logistical support will be provided by the Community Manager. The Manager does not have decision-making rights on the committee, and the group can choose to meet with or without her.