| Abstract [eng] |
The master's thesis examines the participation of citizens in public decision-making at the local government level. The aim of the work: after analyzing the benefits, methods and possibilities of citizens' participation in public decision-making, to investigate the situation of citizens' participation in the Municipality of Šiauliai and to justify the direction of this participation development. The first part of the final work analyzes the theories that are applicable when investigating the participation of citizens in public decision making. Based on the insights of various scholars, the definitions of citizen participation are named, the causes, significance, benefits, opportunities and problem areas of this participation are identified. It also analyzes legislation and other documents regulating the participation of citizens in the public decision-making process. The second part of the paper describes the analysis methodology of citizen participation in public decision making. This section details the research strategy, qualitative and quantitative research methods and tools used, describes the organization of the research and the ethics of the research. The third part of the thesis analyzes the situation of citizens' participation in public decision making in Šiauliai city municipality, using questionnaires, expert interviews and monitoring methods, detailed results of the research are presented. After completing the questionnaire survey (n=174) of the residents of Šiauliai, interviews with representatives of the city municipality of Šiauliai (n=7) having experience of communication with citizens, as well as knowing and able to evaluate the processes of communication with the population and direct monitoring of the technical project for reconstruction of the central park of Šiauliai City, it has been established that the high activity of the urban population occurs only when certain resolutions affect their close environment. Senior citizens are more active in the decision-making process than those of the younger age, and it is often difficult for municipal representatives to make an appropriate decision that would satisfy the interests of most citizens. The survey also revealed the importance of residents’ participation in public deliberation, because during participation the citizens can make the largest impact on decision-making, but so far only a small part of the population of Šiauliai is involved. Based on the analysis of the scientific literature and the results of the research, the main recommendations were formulated on how to strengthen the effective participation of citizens in the public decision-making process: strengthening citizenship; involving citizens in the early stages of decision-making; improving the content of the information and its accessibility; periodic surveys of communication between citizens and municipality representatives; project delivery time adjustment; publicity of successful cooperation with the residents. |
