'Big Easy Budget Game' is a new website that asks New Orleanians to help balance the city's budget. While many cities allow residents to provide input about important budget issues, not everyone has the time or the knowledge to offer their suggestions. This website makes it easier for residents to provide input by breaking down the budget into an interactive game.
The Big Easy Budget Game was created by the non-profit organization the Committee for Better New Orleans. Within the game, residents can see how municipal money has been spent in the past and what the budget for each program is. Users can then move this money around to see how different programs might benefit. While the new game does not let residents directly vote on budget issues, it does help New Orleanians understand how the budget works.
The game not only encourages residents become involved in community issues, but it also to help promote transparency within local government.
Municipal Budget-Balancing Games
The Big Easy Budget Game Lets the Public Help Balance the Budget
Trend Themes
1. Interactive Budget Engagement - Creating interactive tools to engage the public in municipal budgeting can promote transparency and help residents better understand how government budgets work.
2. Gamification of Government Processes - Gamifying government processes can encourage increased public engagement and participation in civic life.
3. Participatory Budgeting - Creating participatory budgeting processes can provide opportunities for residents to have a direct say in how municipal funding is allocated.
Industry Implications
1. Non-profit - Non-profits can create budget-balancing games and other interactive tools to engage the public and promote transparency in government.
2. Government - Government agencies can use interactive tools such as budget-balancing games to engage the public and build trust and transparency with residents.
3. Technology - Technology companies can develop interactive tools to enhance government engagement and transparency, and address the specific needs of different municipalities and communities.