CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT BUDGETS

1. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT BUDGETS Glendal Wright,STE 18-29 September 2006 Tepebaşı and Çanakkale Municipalities Support to Local Administration Reform Project

2. Citizen Participation in Local Government Budgets • Key element in Decentralization Process • Why Decentralization • Improved Service Delivery • Local Decision-Making • Transparency and Accountability

3. Citizen Participation in Local Government Budgets • Requirements for Decentralized System • Transfer of Functions to local governments • More Financial Resources • System of Intergovernmental Transfers • Borrowing

4. Citizen Participation in Local Government Budgets • EU Standards • Participation—Stakeholders Involvement • Openness and Accountability—Full Disclosure • Effectiveness—Process provides for access/information • Coordination—Feedback and Improvements in process

5. Citizen Participation in Local Government Budgets • Methods of Citizen Participation • Citizen Surveys/Questionnaires • Interviews • Complaints on Services/Problems • Advisory/Focus Groups(permanent and ad hoc) • Public Hearings/Forums • Workshops/Conferences

6. Citizen Participation in Local Government Budgets • Pros of Citizen Participation • Builds Confidence in Citizens • Allows for setting local priorities/needs • Builds Civic Culture • Provides for protection of rights/responsibilities • Better resource allocation (investments)

7. Citizen Participation in Local Government Budgets • Cons of Citizen Participation • Difficult to Achieve Consensus • Time Requirements • Lack of Information • Complexity of Issues

8. Citizen Participation in Local Government Budgets • Methods to Overcome Obstacles • Civic Education • Public Awareness Campaigns • Communication Strategies

9. Citizen Participation in Local Government Budgets • Steps in Participation Process • Preparation: • Define the Issue or Problem • Form Organizing Group (Key) • Plan and Schedule • Developing the Process: • Define Different Methods • Plan for Conduct of events/methods • Prepare information to public

10. Citizen Participation in Local Government Budgets • Implementation: • Conduct Event/Methods • Involve Stakeholders (Key) • Evaluate Results • Analysis • Prepare Report • Publish Report

11. Citizen Participation in Local Government Budgets • Feedback • Stakeholder Response/Acceptance (Key) • Evaluation • Evaluate Methods and Level of Participation

12. Citizen Participation in Local Government Budgets • Two Areas for Citizen Participation in Budget Process 1. Strategic Planning Process • Vision of the Municipality • Physical Development of the Municipality • Quality of Life • Services to be Delivered

13. Citizen Participation in Local Government Budgets • Citizen Input to Strategic Planning • Survey/Questionnaires • Focus Groups • SWOT Analysis • Commissions/Committees/Advisory Groups • Public Hearings/Forums • Neighborhood Groups

14. Citizen Participation in Local Government Budgets • Key Lessons for Strategic Planning Process • Rely on Strong, Stable Public Leadership • Use Sufficient Public Resources • Involve Key Institutions • Find Strong Process Champions • Use Consultants as Educators • Use a Creative Work Process in a Highly Symbolic Setting

15. Citizen Participation in Local Government Budgets • Key Lessons for Strategic Planning Process • Visualize Changes • Secure Broad-Based Citizen Participation • Use a Living Plan

16. Citizen Participation in Local Government Budgets • 2. Public Budget Hearings • Implementation of Previous Year Budget • Budget for Next Year • Municipal Current Budget • Capital Investment Plan

17. Citizen Participation in Local Government Budgets • Who Should Participate in Public Hearings • Citizen Organizations • Businesses • Different Professions (education, health, etc) • Local Media • Educators and Trainers

18. Citizen Participation in Local Government Budgets • What Information Should be Provided • Budget Calendar • Budget-In-Brief • Capital Investment Plan

19. Citizen Participation in Local Government Budgets • Advantages of Budget-In-Brief • Large volume of information summarized • Financial information in one document • Opens Discussion on Budget • Transparency of Budget

20. Citizen Participation in Local Government Budgets • Risks and Obstacles to Public Budget Hearings • Lack of citizen participation culture • Lack of training/facilitation • Lack of financial resources • Resistance of local officials • Lack of access to information • Lack of active NGOs/Civil Society Groups

21. Citizen Participation in Local Government Budgets • Experience from EU Countries • Legal Requirements for public budget hearings mandated by law • Financial Reports Audited and made public

22. Citizen Participation in Local Government Budgets • Citizen Advisory Groups: Czech Republic • Capital Investment Citizens Oversight Committee • Used Surveys • Public Relations Campaign • Municipal Staff support • Set Community Priorities • Final Report with Recommendations Accepted

23. Citizen Participation in Local Government Budgets • Citizen Investment Cards—Poland • Citizens able to express their development priority projects • Distributed to all possible public places • Information available from Municipal Investment Service Department • Local officials able to see the citizens’ preferences