Text messaging for PB

This guide explains how participatory budgeting (PB) practitioners can use mass text messaging to effectively engage underrepresented communities.

SMS (short message services), also known as text messaging, is one of the most accessible, ubiquitous modes of communication in the world—almost everyone texts!

Just as businesses and nonprofits use SMS marketing to reach new customers and members, public institutions are also turning to text messaging to inform and engage the communities they serve – especially those that have low or no access to the Internet.

The purpose of this guide is to help participatory budgeting implementers use mass text messaging to engage underrepresented communities in PB processes. The resource presents information to help you decide how to SMS in your PB process, tips to choose the right SMS platform, and tools and samples to help you launch your SMS campaign.

Source: Participatory Budgeting Project

Year of publication: 2017