Participatory Democracy, Seattle Style

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Participatory democracy has been Jim Diers’ preoccupation and his career for the past 30 years. In his work with grassroots community organizations, with the nation’s largest health care cooperative and with city government, Jim has found ways to get people more involved with their communities and with decisions that affect their lives

There are a lot of things that community can do that government can not. In Seattle, the Neighborhood Matching Funds supports self-help programs that reflect neighbors ideas. Cash from the government is given to match donated goods, services, and work hours from the community.

Some valuable accomplishements from the Seattle effort:

• Over 3200 self help programs
• 200 play grounds through the city initiated by neighborhoods
• Many projects to cover graffiti with murals

Since its beginning in Seattle, the Matching Fund Program has leveraged $35 million from the governemnt with $50 million in community contributions.