[GSEF2016]: Participatory governance, establishing a relationship of trust after an authoritarian regime

Category: 
Africa
Local Government
Class: 
Social Finance / Impact Measurement
Governance / Eco-system
Public Policy / Legal Framework

Presented at: GSEF2016 Montreal

Organisation: Municipalité de La Marsa (Government and public agencies)

Date: September 7, 2016

Presenter: Ms.Amira Khammassi (Communications manager)

Contactskhammassi_amira@yahoo.fr

Summary:

With its municipal by-lay of January 9, 2014, La Marsa initiated the participatory budget (PB) mechanism by opening the “public lighting” heading to citizens’ decision. Thus, during the first edition that took place in the first quarter of 2014, citizens from the five zones of La Marsa (the four neighbourhoods + Bhar Lazrag) meeting at public and plenary sessions allocated the sum of 550.000 TND for public lighting projects. For the second edition that commenced on February 7, 2015, also at a public municipal meeting, continuing with the “public lighting” heading, the community offered its residents the choice of a second heading, for citizen participation in the municipal budget. The citizens selected roadways (with an annual budget of 550 000 TND) from among the six new allocations proposed: Green spaces – Roadways – Sidewalks & pavement – Sports facilities – City embellishments – Rainwater evacuation.