Active citizen participation in budgetary processes is a crucial prerequisite for increasing the transparency, accountability, and effectiveness of local self-government. Based on this principle, with my direct involvement as a representative of the Civil Society Institute (CSI) and as the process coordinator, numerous meetings and activities were carried out in Batumi to strengthen the engagement of citizens, especially youth, in budgetary processes.
One of my main tasks as a coordinator was to create an environment where representatives from various sectors – activists, employees from private and public sectors, students, members of community organizations, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) – had the opportunity to freely express their opinions and develop concrete budgetary initiatives.
One of the recent meetings conducted in
this direction involved 37 participants (including 9 students and 9 PWDs, with
the participation of a sign language interpreter) and was conducted using the
open space methodology.
Participants, with the help of provided materials (Batumi's 2023 program budget, budgetary calendar, initiative form), worked around five main budgetary priorities: municipal infrastructure; education and culture; youth and sports; healthcare and social security; and municipal services.
As a result of this intensive work, participants developed a total of 23 well-founded budgetary initiatives. These initiatives covered important issues such as the construction of multi-story parking spaces, adaptation of public transport stops for visually impaired individuals, vocational training for vulnerable youth, creation of art hubs, training of social workers and personal assistants in sign language, adaptation of the youth center for PWD youth, psychological support for single mothers and female victims of violence, implementation of feedback mechanisms by the municipality, and more.
My role as a coordinator did not end merely with
organizing and moderating the meeting. A crucial stage was the further
processing of these initiatives, consultations with field experts, and their
submission to the Batumi Mayor's Office and City Council for consideration.
According to participant feedback (over 70%), the meeting format and
methodology were very interesting and productive. The active involvement of
PWDs and the opportunity to freely present ideas were particularly noted. This
process served not only to share theoretical knowledge but also to develop
practical, community-tailored initiatives and to increase readiness for their
advocacy. This experience once again confirms that the timely informing of
citizens, especially youth, and facilitating their involvement in budgetary
processes, is a cornerstone for better addressing local needs and achieving
more effective governance.