2024 Award "Best Practice in Citizen Participation"
18th Edition
Istanbul: Bütçe Senin (Your Budget)
With the Katılımcı Bütçe Implementation, the wishes, demands and expectations of citizens in Istanbul have been projected in a more professional environment. In order to transform citizens' ideas and suggestions into projects, Istanbul City Council organises "Idea Marathons", where participants are provided with technical information on how to transform an idea into a project around the themes created. Information about the process is provided through the Istanbul City Council website, social media accounts, and IBB's communication channels. The timetable for each year regarding the steps of the project is also shared on the website and citizens are guided. Applications are made through the website bütçesenin.istanbul and the "Bütçe Senin" section of the "İstanbul Senin" application. After the applications are completed, the projects are shared with the relevant units of the municipality for evaluation and the Preliminary and Technical Evaluation Phase is completed. Here, projects that are feasible in accordance with IBB legislation and municipal law are presented to Istanbulites for voting. At this stage, citizens are informed via social media and sms to ensure that the projects are evaluated by all Istanbulites.
When the voting is finalised, the "Selected Projects" are shared with the public on the Katılımcı Bütçe website and mobile application. In addition, citizens whose projects are selected are informed by IBB and Istanbul City Council. In the 2024 process, applications and voting are open to the participation of citizens from all over Turkey. It is understood that the processes are completely transparent, accountable and traceable as each of these stages is shared with the public. Since 2021, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Participatory Budget Implementation is a good example in terms of democratic participation and social communication in local governments with its contribution to participation in decision-making mechanisms, shaping the budget according to the demands of citizens and the way the municipality provides services. The fact that the project has completed its 3rd year, that it has been continued every year in a way that is not detached from social events and the environment - this year the project was announced with the theme of disaster due to the earthquake on 6 February - and that citizens follow the processes and ensure their participation is an indication of the success of this project in practice.
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