"Participation budget" in Kazakhstan: the expert urges to be more active

The Participation Budget project is recognized as an effective tool for public participation and has been applied in more than 2000 cities around the world.

Sholpan Aytenova, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Zertteu Research Institute, noted the importance of implementing the Participation Budget project.

“There is a clear political will in Kazakhstan to support the participation budget as a tool to increase citizen involvement in decision-making. The first experience of the participation budget in Kazakhstan was initiated by the akimat of the Saryarka district of the city of Nur-Sultan. Last year, residents of the district proposed 68 projects in the field of landscaping courtyards, 40 projects were allowed to vote, 8,935 people voted and 13 projects received funding for implementation, ”said Sh. Aytenova.

In foreign countries, the participation budget is recognized as an effective tool for public participation and is already used in more than 2000 cities around the world.

In this regard, the expert proposes to involve representatives of governmental organizations in the work to increase civic engagement.

Let us remind you that the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev stated the need for the participation of Kazakhstanis in the discussion of all aspects of the life of the state.

“In order to take into account the opinions of residents of a particular region regarding public expenditures, a draft budget for public participation will be implemented,” the President said at a meeting with the Presidential Youth Personnel Pool.

According to the Ministry of Information and Social Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the country is implementing a social project “Welfare of Local Communities: Citizens Participation in Decision Making”, which is aimed at involving citizens and public organizations in the development of local self-government and promoting socio-economic development.