In November 2025 the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) launched its Live Well Participation Playbook. Shared Future wrote the section on participatory budgeting, as well as contributing towards the launch event, opened by Mayor Andy Burnham.

“What is the antidote to alienation?”

So said GM Mayor Andy Burnham rhetorically, at the launch of the Participation Playbook; answering by waving his copy of the Playbook and gesturing towards a packed community-powered room in front of him… participation is the antidote to alienation!

With a fun and accessible layout, designed to “press play” on participation, the playbook covers a range of participation tools including participatory budgeting, citizens assemblies, design thinking workshops, digital engagement and community reporting.

Its since been widely promoted by some leading ‘democracy gurus’, like John Alexander who was also at the launch.

Shifting Power to Communities Webinar

In the run up to the launch Shared Future took part in a webinar for Live Well, alongside Young Manchester and CommUnity Little Hulton, explaining how participoatory budgeting can take participation the next level.

Making Participation Fun and Accessible

We were pleased to contribute content to the participation playbook on participatory budgeting, alongside SFCIC associate Caroline Tosal-Suprun, who added information on citizens’ assemblies (pictured above at the playbook’s exciting launch event ).

“If you, like us, believe that the solutions to some of our biggest challenges are found in communities not institutions then the playbook is for you! Take a look for ideas and inspiration for how you can #PressPlay on participation!”
Steph Riches, Participation and Insights Manager at
Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

---

Download the Participation Playbook from the GMCA website

Find out more from the accompanying resources guide