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Our 5 favorite ideas for the 2025 participatory budget!

undefined undefined 14 janvier 2025 undefined 20h00

The Editor

© Luc Mercelis / Shutterstock

As every year, the City Hall of Paris has just launched the idea box for the participatory budget for 2025. And one thing is for sure, Parisians have plenty of great ideas. We invite you to discover a selection of the most original ones, hoping they will be chosen to improve life in the capital.

Until February 3rd, Parisians are invited to visit the City’s website to suggest ideas for improvements and enhancements for the capital. This initiative is captivating the locals, as just a few days after the launch, there are already over 250 proposals. Some are very practical and sensible, focusing on soft mobility (with bicycles leading the way), community living, cleanliness, and children. Others, on the other hand, are more inventive, boldly stepping off the beaten path to make Paris the place to be. Here’s a quick look at 5 proposals that caught our attention. 


DNA tests for identifying dog mess

This is undoubtedly the best idea on the list. We all know that Paris is not the cleanest city in the world (nor the dirtiest, but you know), and this is largely due to dog waste that owners forget to pick up. When it's in a tiny corner where no one ever goes, that’s one thing, but when it’s right in front of your building’s door, it becomes quite annoying. To solve this, a Parisian has come up with a brilliantly clever idea: conduct DNA tests on the poop, to track down the dog and fine the owner. Plus, an app that would allow you to directly report the presence of droppings to city officials. We love it!


Places Dedicated to Work Breaks

We often picture Parisians as rushed, determined, and dynamic. However, this idea clearly shows that some of us know how to prioritize, like the person who wants to create spaces managed by the city that are solely dedicated to relaxation and rest during work hours. In other words, a public space to come take your best nap during lunch break. Think cozy chairs, soft lighting, a calming atmosphere—everything you need to disconnect and recharge in the middle of a somewhat stressful day. We’re totally on board!


A Contest for the Most Beautiful Flowered Balcony

This is the cute little touch on this list, and we couldn't overlook it. The idea is simple: organize a huge city-wide contest to reward the person who has the most beautiful balcony. It's the perfect way to kill two birds with one stone, making the capital even more beautiful while encouraging its residents to join in on the massive greening efforts led by the City of Paris. We just have one criterion to add: no drippy fake flowers allowed like the ones we see way too often on the facades of certain restaurants. We want fresh and delicate.


A reward system for waste collection

Here’s a proposal that combines the useful with the useful. The concept is quite simple: collect common waste, like cigarette butts, cardboard, or plastic, and drop them off in designated places to receive something in return. This system has already proven successful, for instance, in Germany, where plastic bottles are redeemable. To top it all off, the proposal goes even further, suggesting that the approach could allow those in need to access essential products in exchange for their participation, thanks to a partnership with charities.


Petanque Courts at the Trocadero

Alright, we shouldn't be too serious for too long! To wrap up this list, we have a new idea focused mainly on fun and relaxation: setting up petanque AND boccia courts at the Trocadero. It's a great way to turn one of the most touristy spots in the capital into a place that feels a bit more popular and festive, while also bringing a bit of that Southern spirit into the city (though we would totally be on board with a Breton shuffleboard court project as well, of course). We can already feel our hands itching at the thought of pointing!

And if you want to check out the full list, or add your own contribution, you can do that right here !