A fővárosi közösségi költségvetések lakossági aktivitásának tényezői

Abstract

Participatory budgeting is a prominent tool of democratic innovation that gives
citizens the opportunity to actively participate in the allocation of public funds
and in shaping local development. The aim of this study is to explore the characteristics and determinants of citizen participation in community budgeting in the
capital city, with a special focus on the examples of Budapest and Józsefváros.
Through interviews, the research examined the levels of and obstacles to public
participation, the involvement of various social groups, and the role of different
interest groups. A total of six interviews were conducted with participation experts and local residents.
Our results highlight that participatory budgets mainly reach highly educated
groups, while less educated groups find it more difficult to assert their interests.
Interest groups have significant influence on these projects. The research also
emphasizes communication and information as key determinants of public participation. The role of community budgeting in strengthening local identity is
particularly evident at the district level, where it can contribute to increased community cohesion and civic engagement.
Based on these findings, we provide recommendations for improving the effectiveness of participatory budgets, with particular attention to enhancing public
involvement, ensuring a balanced role for stakeholders, and improving communication strategies. The article contributes to a better understanding of how participatory budgets function in a metropolitan context, highlighting issues related
to inclusiveness and their primary causes within community budgeting