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Three webpages are displayed in a layered fashion against a gray background. The pages feature various elements like text, images, and navigation menus. The designs are modern, with green and blue accents. The main focus is on community engagement.

Participatory Budgeting Project (PBP) Resource Library

I led the design and build of a resource library for the Participatory Budgeting Project (PBP) as part of their website redesign.

The goal was to make PBP’s tools, guides, and case studies easy to access, organized clearly, and useful for organizers, government officials, and community members alike.

The Challenges

The Challenges

  • PBP had lots of different kinds of resources (PDFs, guides, case studies) and needed a way to organize them so people can find what they need without frustration.
  • Users vary a lot: some are deeply familiar with participatory budgeting, others are exploring it for the first time. The interface needed to work well for both.
  • The library had to be future-proof: new resources would be added over time, so admin usability (for PBP staff) and design consistency were important.

The Solutions

The Solutions

  • Focused on usability first, structuring the library so that both newcomers and experts could find what they need quickly.
  • Balanced flexibility and clarity by designing a system that could accommodate multiple resource types without overwhelming the user.
  • Built a scalable framework so the library can grow over time without losing consistency or adding administrative burden.
  • Centered the design in PBP’s mission of accessibility and transparency, ensuring the look and flow of the library reinforce their values.

The Details

Custom Post Types

I developed a custom post type framework on WordPress, using Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) to create flexible and modular content fields tailored to PBP’s needs. This structure allowed for simple management of diverse resource formats while ensuring that PBP staff members could add new resources easily.

Screenshot of a WordPress post editor interface. It includes fields for adding a title, resource description, PDF, excerpt, and resource categories. Options on the right allow saving drafts, previewing, and publishing. SEO score is displayed.
A webpage displaying a document library with thumbnails and titles. Categories and search options are on the left. Three documents titled Change From Within are visible on the right, with preview images and brief descriptions.

Smart Filters

To enhance usability, I implemented smart filters for intuitive sorting and search functionality enabling users quick access to relevant materials.

Custom Templates

I designed custom Elementor templates for each resource page, aligning with PBP’s brand and accommodating resource-specific details ensuring a cohesive visual experience across the library.

A webpage screenshot showing a guide titled Change from Within: PB for Organizations: Part 1 Advocating & Planning for PB. The page offers options to download a PDF and shows details like year, license type, and tags related to participatory budgeting.

The Outcome

The Outcome

The launch of the resource library transformed how people interact with PBP’s content.

Instead of sifting through long lists or outdated PDFs, users can quickly locate the guides, case studies, or tools they need.

This has strengthened PBP’s reputation as a go-to source for participatory budgeting resources and created a scalable platform for continued growth.