Distinción "Buena Práctica en Participación Ciudadana" 2025

The Citizen Participation Index of Medellín, which includes virtual voting, is an example of the coordination of good practices in the Secretary of Citizen Participation, and stands out in two ways:

First, the Medellín Citizen Participation Index (IPCM) is an innovative initiative that measures the quality of citizen participation rather than just quantifying it. Implemented by the Citizen Participation Secretariat in the District of Science, Technology, and Innovation of Medellín, this index allows for the evaluation of the real impact of participation in local decision-making processes.

Second, since 2017, Medellín has integrated virtual voting as a complement to in-person voting, facilitating the prioritization of projects by citizens. In partnership with the University of Antioquia, the IPCM was designed with a territorial approach, considering key dimensions, surveys, and variables that reflect the quality of participation on a scale from 0 to 1.

In this sense, to broaden access and transparency, virtual voting is implemented in the 16 communes and 5 rural districts through strategies of pedagogy, communication, and mobilization. In 2024, 222 mobile points with electronic tablets were set up, promoting more inclusive participation. Additionally, biometric validation with facial recognition was incorporated to ensure voter security and authenticity.

The strategy has a variable budget, which in 2025 reached 300 million Colombian pesos, allocated to technological infrastructure, human resources, and communication. The dissemination is reinforced with the Citizen Participation Knowledge Management and Information System (SIGC-PC) and the siciudadania.com platform, using community media, social media campaigns, and activations in public spaces.

The IPCM covers various population groups, including social organizations and vulnerable sectors, generating specific sub-indices by area, age, and gender. Its constant evaluation allows for identifying gaps and improving representativeness. Thanks to this model, Medellín has strengthened participatory democracy, with an average historical record of 79,910 voters in virtual voting sessions.

This practice has become a benchmark for participatory governance, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting inclusive societies, reducing inequalities, and encouraging citizen participation as a cornerstone of local development.

• https://siciudadania.co/ (Enlace externo)
• Resultados (Enlace externo)