Bağlar: Bağlar Participatory Budgeting Model

The Participatory Budgeting Bağlar Model (KBBM) is a democratic, ecological, and women's freedom-oriented governance practice allocating 10% of the municipal budget directly to citizens. KBBM aims to collectivize decision-making in Bağlar (pop. 402,275). The pilot phase specifically targeted two areas: Kaynartepe, the district's most impoverished neighbourhood, and Bağcılar, Türkiye's most populated neighbourhood (160,000 residents).

The practice launched in 2025 follows a cyclical structure: preparation, trainings, public meetings, proposal development, deliberation and public voting. During preparation, local CSOs were included to ensure collaborative groundwork. A 60-person field team directly contacted approx. 7,000 households weekly over two months, reaching thousands face-to-face. Eight inclusive, multi-lingual meetings were held with 500 citizens each, where co-mayors and deputy co-mayors actively took part. This high-level political commitment bridged the gap between administration and citizens, encouraging them to voice their needs directly.

After Neighbourhood Commissions' feasibility analysis of the proposed projects, citizens voted for their priorities among 53 projects via a hybrid system (mobile&fixed ballot boxes and baglarbutce.com), with 7,000 votes cast in Bağcılar and 4,800 in Kaynartepe. Six projects were selected: a swimming pool, library and park for Bağcilar; a drug treatment centre, library and playground for Kaynartepe. Consequently, the municipal council approved the allocation of 10% of the 2026 budget (approx. 10.5M US Dollars) to these projects.

Culture, Ecology, and Youth sub-commissions were formed to oversee every step from planning to implementation. This way, participation becomes not just a one-time vote; it is a continuous and accountable way of democratic governing. The model actively included women, children, youth, elderly, disabled, and migrants. Barriers were removed through multilingual engagement, accessible venues, and caregiver support.

Guided by decentralization, KBMM reflects a democratic, ecological and women's freedom-oriented local governance perspective. While initially 10% of the budget is open to citizen decisions, the long-term goal is to allocate all public resources to citizens' choice. This pilot has laid the groundwork for future years, influencing municipal policy and institutional culture while revitalizing society's capacity to address its own issues directly.

Learn more about: https://www.baglarbutce.com