Since their launch in 2014, the participatory budgets of the Alcoy City Council have demonstrated constant adaptation, reflecting the changing needs of citizens and their neighborhoods. A detailed analysis of annual data shows how residents' concerns have evolved to address new urban and social challenges over more than a decade.
Initially, in 2014, four projects focused on basic urbanism were approved, such as the development of Caseta Català street or the creation of dog walking areas in Romeral Park. The following year, 2015, the five validated proposals included practical actions like anti-slip treatment for sidewalks and the adaptation of a civic center for the Eixample and Santa Rosa neighborhoods.
The process gained momentum, and in 2017, eight significant actions were carried out, including the implementation of a bike lane and smart streetlights. The maturity of the system became evident between 2018 and 2019, with fifteen initiatives that highlighted urban art, the rehabilitation of the old wall, and ecological proposals such as replacing public lighting with LED technology or reforesting the slope of Doña Amalia street.
The years 2020 and 2021, influenced by the social context, saw the approval of fourteen ideas combining infrastructure like the municipal dog shelter with strong campaigns against elderly loneliness and support for people with functional diversity. The 2022 and 2023 editions, each with ten projects, enabled the installation of modern elements like the scoreboard at the Municipal Camp del Collao and accessibility improvements on streets such as Escultor Peresejo street.
More recently, between 2024 and 2025, eleven proposals have focused on recovering natural spaces, renovating senior centers, and offering alternative leisure activities. For 2026, ten initiatives have been defined, ranging from ravine cleaning to park remodeling.
“"Having such a broad participation history helps us value the energy and dedication that each neighborhood contributes to collective decision-making."
This trajectory highlights the effectiveness of a management where both the Citizen Participation department and municipal technical services analyze and integrate daily needs into the municipality's annual budget.
