British Politicians Propose Online Contest for Foreign Aid

In a sign of the growing popularity of contest-like grant making, the Tory political party in Britain is proposing that everyday citizens be allowed to vote on how part of the government’s foreign aid budget is spent.

Under the proposal, Britain’s Department for International Development would set aside about $65-million that the public would control by voting online between 10 aid projects in Africa and elsewhere, reports The Independent, a newspaper in London.

Several international aid charities are objecting to the idea, saying that people would probably vote for projects involving well-know nonprofit organizations. What’s more, they said projects that benefit needy children, for example, would likely be chosen over complex ones, like projects that seek to build democracy and good governance.

One political observer called the idea “popular gimmickry.” A Tory official said it is “morally right to give people greater control” over how their tax dollars are spent.

Several foundations and corporations have explored integrating online voting into their programs to mixed results. Read The Chronicle’s article about such efforts. (A paid subscription or free temporary pass is required to view the Chronicle article.)

What do you think of the Tory proposal? Should America adopt a similar strategy?