More and more Spanish municipalities are realizing the value of citizen participation in designing public policies and services that better meet the needs of their inhabitants. Although there are several studies that explain this phenomenon from an academic point of view, very few have a practical approach, with simple recommendations that councilors and citizen participation technicians can apply immediately.
That is why we have carried out this study focused on the real concerns and needs of local governments. To this end, we interviewed councilors and participation technicians from various municipalities and conducted a survey among young people between 18 and 34 years of age, with the aim of identifying new strategies to encourage their participation in institutional processes. The study was carried out by Marvin Frömming, associate researcher at the Avans University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands.
Three main conclusions can be drawn from the study:
Participatory budgeting is booming in Spain, offering a new way to promote collaboration between municipalities and their citizens. However, several factors have been identified as decisive in the successful completion of this type of project.
The design and execution of participatory processes is a complex activity that is not always carried out in the most appropriate way. The study reveals the persistence of problems - both internal and external - that end up generating tensions in the participation departments of municipalities. Technology, in addition to being a useful tool for measuring public opinion, can smooth out some of these tensions.
There is a total disconnect between local governments and younger citizens. Municipalities are struggling to involve younger people in their participatory processes. The right choice of communication channels can have a big impact on the rate of youth participation.
The report shows how the investment that Spanish municipalities have made in citizen participation has evolved and which autonomous communities invest the most. And finally, some practical recommendations are made. This document will be of interest to anyone involved in participatory processes at the local or regional level: Councilors or Secretaries of Citizen Participation, municipal technicians, project managers or leaders of neighborhood associations.
By filling out this form you will receive the report totally free of charge in your e-mail.
