Life Itself - The State Budget DIY
15-25 ₪
An engaging meeting including a discussion about a possible economic future and an interactive simulation to understand the allocation of the state budget. The event will focus on a social-democratic approach, reducing inequality, and public investment. Participation requires a payment of only 25 ILS.
An engaging meeting including a discussion about a possible economic future and an interactive simulation to understand the allocation of the state budget. The event will focus on a social-democratic approach, reducing inequality, and public investment. Participation requires a payment of only 25 ILS.
Wondering how policy impacts the economy? How is the national budget divided? We're here to help!
Young people, come participate in a focused meeting that will both explain and let you experience building the national budget.
The fascinating meeting is structured in two parts:
1. Start with a conversation about a possible economic future with the CEO of Arlozorov Forum.
2. Continue with an interactive simulation to understand how the national budget is divided and how public investment is prioritized.
Part A: Civil Spending and Upcoming Elections
Amit Ben-Tzur, CEO, Arlozorov Forum
As elections approach, public discourse is expected to focus on security, narrow politics, recruitment, and immediate crises. However, behind all these stands one big question that doesn’t get enough attention: what does an economy look like that is capable of restoring Israel and ensuring real security for citizens even the day after?
The lecture will present a social-democratic future outlook based on investment in civil services, strengthening the public sector, and reducing inequality. It opens a conversation about the public demands that must be placed at the center of the conversation towards the 2026 elections.
Part B: How the National Budget is Built - Game and Discussion
Guri Seker
Building a Budget: A Simulation Game on the Behind-the-Scenes of the National Budget
How are decisions really made about where the state's money goes? Why, when it comes to education, health, welfare, or transportation, are we always told there's "no money" - but in reality, the state can find funds when it decides something is important enough?
In the simulation game, participants step into the shoes of the Ministry of Finance, the Budget Department, and various government ministries, experiencing the dynamics that shape the national budget: the Ministry of Finance sets boundaries, demands cuts, and claims there’s not enough money; social ministries try to fight for public investments; and participants must ask not only how much it costs but also what it returns to society.
The game demonstrates in an engaging and simple way that the national budget is not just a table of numbers but an expression of priorities. It invites participants to think differently about public investment: not as an expense that needs to be minimized, but as a tool for building a stronger, more equitable, and functioning society.
Limited space available! Participation costs only 25 ILS.
For any questions:
"What Does it Matter? Democracy 2026" >> Democracy Month hosted by the Youth and Young Adults Unit of Tel Aviv-Jaffa Municipality in collaboration with Centers for Social Justice. During July-August, events across the city will connect democracy with real life. In each event, we will try to answer the question "what does it matter?" from a different angle through games, courses, pop-up evenings, political imagination, lectures, and workshops.
