Public Engagement Strategy

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Recommended: Benefits of participative budgeting

Public engagement is a vital step in creating a collaborative, inclusive and open budget process. The more accessible and inclusive public engagement strategy the better and broaden the conversation around budgets. The result is a better representation of the priorities to both the city and the residents for which the budget applies.
Budgeting is a fundamental activity of any government, symbolizing an explicit agreement between community or agency, their government and the public. It is resources utilized in exchange for public services and benefits that fulfill priorities and objectives. Citizens rightfully expect organizations and governments to deliver on that promise. Public budgets are also expected to be equitable, fair, and transparent. …show more content…

Resistance will occur and if it is believed that the organization/agency does not represent the public/clients overall interests. Transparency and openness of public budgets promote social accountability and restores the total confidence in the program or government. Enabling citizens/clients to become more engaged and, in the process, learn more about the budget and fiscal policy concerns. With the learning process acceptance of the hard budget choices and cynicism should dissipate bringing with it trust.
Organizationally, there is increasing recognition of the importance of public engagement in budgeting. Public involvement in budgeting raises the individual stake in the game. Within the budgeting process, the participation of citizens is often in the form of partnership with civil or societal organizations. Local municipalities and public authorities where citizens are actively involved show promising results (Faccioli, …show more content…

The government also can provide access to the information required by society to understand fiscal policies and performance. Budget officials by improving the presentation, quality, style, and techniques of budget information can non-expert audiences have the opportunity to learn and become more informed about the budget. This allows citizens to become more thoughtful about government, attain realistic expectations about fiscal situations and opportunity, allowing for better preparation and the ability to hold their elected representatives

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