PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING AS FORM OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN IMPLEMENTATION OF LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT: REGIONAL STRATEGY

Abstract

The article defines the modern stage features of involvement of the population into the budget process of municipal structures and the factors influencing the emergence of various regional practices of the implementation of this form of public participation. The criteria for distinguishing between participatory budgeting practices, related budgeting practices and self-taxation of citizens in the context of delineating the institutions of direct democracy and citizens’ participation is proposed. The reasons for replacing the institute of self-taxation of citizens by the institutes of participatory budgeting are named. Three strategies for implementing and institutionalizing participatory budgeting practices in those constituent entities of the Russian Federation, which had begun to develop these practices after 2015, are highlighted. The following practices are discussed: a pilot project strategy; a strategy to promote the autonomy and diversity of municipal practices of participatory budgeting; a strategy to help municipal structures in mastering new practices in the budget process through the normative unification of such practices in the region.