Increasing participation of youths and children in municipal budgeting through open innovation (MEBAR0005)

Commitment ID

MEBAR0005

Commitment Title

Increasing participation of youths and children in municipal budgeting through open innovation

Problem

The participation of the local population in the performance of public affairs in Bar is at a very low level. Namely, despite the efforts to apply the legislative framework, which follows EU standards in the organization of the public policy-making process, a proactive attitude of the public in this process is lacking. In order to respond to the low motivation of citizens and target groups to provide their proposals, suggestions, and criticisms during policy-making, it is necessary to explore new ways of involving them. New models are needed to bring the identification of political priorities in policy development, their implementation, providing feedback on how local government works, what is the impact of a certain policy, and closer to citizens through education and practical application. The lack of a systemic approach to this issue distances citizens from the position of a partner to the authorities, which should adopt policies in accordance with the needs and interests of citizens. This leads to the adoption of policies that are not long-term solutions and/or that cause a gap in relation to the principle of fairness of public policy.

Status quo

The legislative framework regulates several mechanisms and forms of citizen participation in the decision-making process, but the potential of these mechanisms has not been sufficiently promoted and used.
The planning of the annual budget of the Municipality of Bar is an example of positive practice in the application of policy-making standards, ending with the publication of a substantive report and the evaluation of that procedure. This process can be improved in such a way that it is closer to the citizens, that it is the subject of joint decision-making, and that it is an indicator of how to properly motivate and involve citizens to contribute to deciding on the allocation of funds for different purposes - projects, public services or infrastructure.

Action

Depending on the purpose, context, and scope of engagement, several models of citizen engagement have been recognized as effective, including open innovation.
As the creation of the municipal budget is one of the most important public policies, and the empowerment of citizens to participate is a continuous process, that requires a systemic approach, through the obligation of open innovation, we strive to obtain solutions from interested stakeholders and experts to strengthen the process of participatory budgeting with greater involvement of young people and children in Bar, but also with a proactive relationship between local communities.
Participation of children in participatory budgeting is based on Article 12 of the Convention. The aim is to improve the relevance of public services for children, develop their skills and self-confidence as active citizens, and increase social inclusion among children.
Such a new model of participation should contribute to a greater representation of different interests and the empowerment of more passive target groups in the decision-making process, the creation of generations of empowered individuals who will learn that a proactive attitude towards policymaking brings benefits for both individuals and the community, and ultimately the model should contribute to ensuring greater legitimacy of the policies that will be adopted/adopted.

How will the commitment contribute to solving the public problem described above?

A simple legal provision does not guarantee the actual introduction of participatory governance. Compared to traditional modes of participation, open innovation can lead to a deeper exploration of public policy opportunities, improving more interactive and effective communication, a wider range of ideas and knowledge, introducing new actors into the process, strengthening trust in institutions, improving civic awareness and education, and democratizing the community. Participatory budgeting can make budget spending more efficient and fair, and this way of directly involving citizens in making important decisions, bearing in mind comparative experience, has a positive effect on the motivation and willingness of citizens to be part of this process. This obligation also has the potential to include a larger number of vulnerable social groups (PWD, unemployed women, LGBTIQ+) in order to represent their needs in a timely manner through financial planning. Participatory budgeting is a broader strategy that underpins the aspiration for the administration to be more sensitive to citizens and their demands, and to avoid misunderstandings and respect expectations.

What long-term goal as identified in your Open Government Strategy does this commitment relate to?

This commitment contributes to open, efficient and accountable administration, and to the inclusiveness of the decision-making process at the local level, through innovative solutions based on the ideas and needs of citizens, but also the need for local government to be a more open service.

It is expected that this commitment will foster a better understanding of the administrative life of the administration and that economically and technically feasible projects will demonstrate all the benefits of applying the principles of good governance.

Primary Policy Area

Civic Space, Fiscal Openness, Legislative Openness

Primary Sector

Cross-sectoral, Education

What OGP value is this commitment relevant to?