Implementation of an E-Service for Participatory Budgeting (HRZAG0002)

Commitment ID

HRZAG0002

Commitment Title

Implementation of an E-Service for Participatory Budgeting

Problem

This commitment seeks to resolve the issue of inadequate citizen engagement and transparency in the budget allocation process. Currently, many residents of Zagreb feel disconnected from how public funds are distributed and utilized, leading to a perception of misallocation and a lack of trust in local government. By implementing an e-service for participatory budgeting, this initiative aims to empower citizens to have a direct say in budgetary decisions, ensuring funds are allocated according to community needs and priorities. This will enhance transparency, accountability, and public trust in the municipal budgeting process.

Status quo

The City of Zagreb is currently conducting a pilot project on participatory budgeting called "Daj prijedlog za bolji kvart! - e-Participativno budžetiranje" to enable citizens to actively engage in the budget-making process. Until now, there has been no formal mechanism for residents to influence budget allocations, leaving decisions solely in the hands of city officials without direct community input. This situation has led many citizens to feel that their needs and priorities are not adequately represented in the city's financial planning. The goal of this pilot project is to establish a participatory budgeting platform that fosters greater transparency, trust, and alignment of budget decisions with community priorities.

Action

This commitment involves developing and launching an electronic service platform that allows Zagreb citizens to participate directly in the municipal budgeting process.
Implementing e-service participatory budgeting in Zagreb aims to boost citizen engagement by encouraging active participation in proposing and voting on budget priorities, enhancing transparency, and ensuring equitable fund distribution aligned with community needs to foster stronger local governance trust.
The overall objective of this commitment is to empower Zagreb's citizens by providing them with a direct role in the budgeting process. By implementing an e-service for participatory budgeting, the city aims to create a more transparent, inclusive, and democratic system for allocating public funds, ensuring that the community's voice is heard and its needs are met. This initiative seeks to build a stronger, more engaged civic community and enhance the efficiency and responsiveness of municipal governance.

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

The commitment to implement an e-service for participatory budgeting in Zagreb will enhance democratic engagement, transparency, and equitable resource allocation, addressing issues of limited citizen involvement, opaque decision-making, and inequitable distribution of public funds.

The expected outputs of implementing an e-service for participatory budgeting in Zagreb include the development of an accessible online platform, increased citizen engagement in proposing and voting on budget priorities, and improved transparency in municipal budget decision-making processes.

The expected outcome of implementing an e-service for participatory budgeting in Zagreb is a more equitable distribution of public funds that better meet the diverse needs and priorities of the city's communities, fostering increased trust and satisfaction in local governance.

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

The commitment to implement an e-service for participatory budgeting in Zagreb relates to the long-term goal of developing an effective participatory governance system within the priority of social equality and quality social services in open government initiatives. By enabling citizens to propose and vote on budget priorities, the commitment aims to enhance democratic participation, transparency in decision-making, and the equitable distribution of public resources, thereby supporting the broader goal of fostering social equality and improving social services through inclusive governance practices.

Primary Policy Area

Fiscal Openness

Primary Sector

Public Services (general)

What OGP value is this commitment relevant to?