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  • Digital tools promoting citizen engagement in participatory budget practice at the local level – examples from Slovenia [Elektronski vir]
    Brezovar, Nejc ; Bahovec, Maša, 1996-
    Participatory budgeting (PB) has gained global attention as a democratic innovation, allowing citizens to influence local government decisions on public investment. This paper explores the impact of ... digital tools on citizen engagement in the PB voting (decision-making) phase in Slovenia, where PB was formally introduced in 2018. Utilizing content analysis and survey research, the study examines municipal practices and voter turnout across 58 municipalities, which were recognized as municipalities practicing or planning to practice PB. Findings reveal a (slowly) growing acceptance of PB. Despite varied voting methods on PB projects, digital tools are increasingly favored, with 48 percent of PB practicing municipalities enabling voting through specialized digital or online tools. However, despite municipal support for digital tools, voter turnout remains low, averaging 13,1 percent. While 43,1 percent of actual voters use digital tools, factors such as digital (il)literacy and (lack of) access to technology may influence participation. The study suggests a need for further research to understand barriers to participation and possibilities to further tailor and combine voting methods to municipality-specific needs in an attempt to improve voter turnout. In general, the research results presented in the paper shed light on the evolving landscape of PB practices in Slovenian municipalities and the role of digital tools in enhancing citizen engagement in voting and decision-making PB processes.
    Source: The 32nd NISPAcee Annual Conference, Tbilisi, Georgia, May 23-25, 2023 [Elektronski vir] (13 str.)
    Type of material - conference contribution ; adult, serious
    Publish date - 2024
    Language - english
    COBISS.SI-ID - 199882243

    Link(s):

    https://www.nispa.org/conference/2024

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