Encouraging Update: Anyone in Paris Can Decide How the City Spends Its Money | An Encouraging Development

Encouraging Update: Anyone in Paris Can Decide How the City Spends Its Money | An Encouraging Development

Why this story matters: In a time when pessimism is easy, this story provides a grounded reason for optimism. Quick summary: This story highlights recent developments related to civic engagement, showing how constructive action can lead to meaningful results. Just off the bustling Rue Montorgueil, one of the most commercial streets in Paris, the Centre Cerise , or Cherry Sociocultural Center, is a haven of local community. At the cafe in the back, where the ceiling is covered in a sea of mirrors, a young barista whistles behind the counter and a trio of elderly women chat over an afternoon coffee. These humble surroundings, simple as they appear, are a pillar of local democracy. And they recently received a much-needed, city-funded renovation. Would you like to read more good news about Civic Engagement , Urbanism , France , Paris , and Democracy ? The Cherry Center cafe. Credit: Peter Yeung For the past decade, every year, Parisians like Desprez have been able to see their proposals come to life …