Gözde Atalay (Independent Researcher) , Şaban Ertekin (Associate Professor)
This research focuses on a pilot experience of digital participatory budgeting in Kırşehir Municipality in Turkey using applied action research methodology. Citizens living in Kırşehir municipality used digital voting for the first time for the service prioritization of municipal projects. After the end of the digital voting process, four projects received a total of 277 votes. The total budget amount allocated to the projects was approximately 0.023 (2.3%) of the estimated expenditure amount of the budget of Kırşehir Municipality for 2024. The meaning of this experience, from the perspective of both citizens and public administration, was analyzed qualitatively through semi-structured interviews. Participants on the supply side of local politics stated that the application strengthens budget transparency and accountability, is an innovative governance model in terms of ease of prioritizing services and saving costs, but is vulnerable to the digital divide, lack of infrastructure and the risk of political manipulation. Those on the demand side of local politics mentioned ease of participation, freedom of expression, awareness for participation and insecurities about digitalization. The common recommendation of both groups is to strengthen the legal and institutional infrastructure by preferring a hybrid method in local participation, to establish Research and Development units for municipalities and to approach municipalism in an academic-scientific way. This study is a scientific reference that contributes to the development of digital democracy experience in Turkey.
This doctoral thesis, was funded by the Scientific and Technological Research Institutes of Turkey (Tübitak- 222K054 Project)