Participatory experiences of youth in Portugal

reflections emerging from the OPJ Trofa case

Abstract

This article discusses ways of participation in societies that are joined by institutions that rely on representative democracy and the rule of law, resulting in coexistence with a process of disillusionment with such traditional forms of representative governments. The reflection deals with the new and varied ways that involve citizens in collective life and, among this set of multiple activities that are defined by the organization and control of the government by society, one that has been increasing among the others: Participatory Budget (PB). Although such experience developed in the Latin American context - mainly in Brazil - from the late nineties, it is in Europe that it finds a particularly fertile ground. Therefore, this is the reason for choosing a report from the so called OPJ Trofa (Young participatory budget), whose objectives and methodological instruments characterize the European participatory experiences and the model of “Actuarial PB” (or actuarial basis) in particular.