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Diyarbakır: Reactivating and Digitally Strengthening Participatory Democracy in Diyarbakır

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Reactivating and Digitally Strengthening Participatory Democracy in Diyarbakır involved not only reviving an interrupted participatory institution but also transforming it into a resilient, digitally supported model of local governance.

Diyarbakır, a metropolitan city of 1.8 million people in southeastern Türkiye, is known for its multicultural and multilingual character. The city's participatory governance journey began in 2003 through the Local Agenda 21 framework, laying the foundation for inclusive civic engagement. This vision was institutionalized with the establishment of the City Council — a formal platform where citizens, civil society organizations, professional chambers, and local authorities could collaborate on urban priorities.

Between 2016 and 2024, this progress was interrupted when central government trustees replaced elected municipal administrations. Structured participatory mechanisms were suspended, weakening democratic dialogue and gradually eroding the trust that had developed between residents and local authorities.

The situation changed in July 2024 when elected local governance was restored. The Municipality reactivated the City Council and re-established ten thematic assemblies — covering Women, Youth, Children, Disabled People, Language, Health, Culture and Arts, Economy, Sports, and Cultural Heritage — creating structured spaces for civic dialogue across all segments of society.

Building on this foundation, the municipality launched a Digital Participatory Budgeting initiative in 2025 under the slogan "Vote for your city, you decide!" Residents submitted 231 project proposals, 21 were shortlisted following technical evaluation, and 3 were selected through city-wide digital voting. These projects were integrated into the 2026 implementation program, translating citizen input into concrete policy outcomes.

This hybrid model — combining deliberative assemblies with transparent digital tools — enables citizens to influence public spending in a direct and measurable way, offering an adaptable blueprint for cities seeking to rebuild civic trust and deepen democratic participation.

https://katilimcibutce.diyarbakir.bel.tr/ 


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Diyarbakır: Reactivating and Digitally Strengthening Participatory Democracy in Diyarbakır

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