Participation In Local Governance Research Articles

A Theoretical Review on Non-Formal Education and Women Empowerment in Bhutan

The exponential growth of the formal education system, albeit literacy, has remained a far-fetched ideology for many Bhutanese, especially among adult women and men in the less-sourced parts of the country. Therefore, non-formal education in Bhutan has been a critical and essential strategy for inclusion and empowerment of a sizeable population of citizens who missed the opportunity to acquire literacy due to several factors; including social, economic, and occupational circumstances at the time of their regular schooling. The non-formal education program, conducted through a somewhat structured network of learning centers across the country, has grown in relevance and popularity over the years. It is viewed as a significant enabler of learning, surpassing its original goal of promoting the national language, Dzongkha. The non-formal education programme has emerged as a veritable tool for self-realization and participation in local governance, social economic activities for the women in an increased space created by the advent of democracy. Thus, non-formal education has proven to be beneficial not only in enhancing literacy and numeracy but also as a crucial means of conveying important messages regarding issues that impact people's lives and broader societal concerns. We were able to delve into extensive research carried out by other researchers as our mode of collecting data for analysis. Our findings culminated to the fact that, till date the Non-formal Education (NFE) and Continuous Education (CE)programme have benefitted about 170,000 and 11,000 learners respectively. Numerous success stories illustrate how the program has transformed the lives of individuals, particularly in rural Bhutan. The programme helped to read and write, take better care of family, do simple calculations and helped toestablish small businesses.However, the drop-out numbers from the programme are significant and the reasons cited range from closure of centers following the departure of the instructor, competing claims of housework, distance to learning centers, shortage of helping hands, to perceptions of gender roles.Recommendations have been put forward to ensure that the programme is beneficial to the society, is viable and experiences longevity.

Problems of Good Governance in Managing Indonesia’s Borderland: The Case of Entikong Subdistrict

The present study explores the good governance processes of border management in Entikong Subdistrict. The Entikong Subdistrict in West Kalimantan is a priority district that receives special attention from Indonesian central and local governments. The Entikong border post started operating in 1989, making it the first land border in Indonesia. Nevertheless, despite its aged history and many development efforts within the area, the economic growth and welfare of the border community remained stagnant. The data for this article were collected through a field work in Entikong for four months in 2022 in which we conducted observation, interviews, and focus group discussion with local residents and government officers. This study reveals that good governance became the focal issue explaining Entikong’s lack of development by providing two problems in the border development at Entikong: 1) the government’s inconsistency on the road widening project and 2) the complexity of governance and bureaucracy. This paper further elaborates on the essence of locality in good governance practices while simultaneously addressing the authority division problems and communication towards the demands of the local community. This study argues that better public communication patterns should be implemented to avoid misunderstandings within the community and increase the participation of local citizens, government, and civil society in the development process of the border area.

Perceptions of women’s leadership in urban governance in the communes of greater Lomé, Togo

Perceptions of women’s roles and leadership in urban governance vary from country to country and culture to culture. While women are represented and participate fully in political decision-making in some countries, in Togo women’s participation in local governance is still limited. The aim of this research is to analyse perceptions of women’s leadership in urban governance in the communes of greater Lomé. Specifically, the study of the influence of general perceptions of the role of women on the development of their leadership in the urban governance of greater Lomé (i) and the implications of these perceptions on the participation of women in the urban governance of greater Lomé (ii). Semi-structured interviews were conducted in all the town halls of the thirteen greater Lomé autonomous district communes with 222 women and 162 men, i.e., a total of 384 people. The corpus created from the interviews, which were transcribed in their entirety, was analyzed using the theory of social dominance developed by Sidanius and Pratto to explain power relations and inequalities between social groups. The results show that perceptions of women’s participation in urban governance vary and are generally associated with several significant implications. The general perception is that women are not as competent or legitimate as men in political and administrative leadership roles. However, there is a growing recognition of the value of gender diversity in urban governance, with a growing awareness of the importance of including women in decision-making processes. From the point of view of the significant implications of perceptions, positive perceptions favor increased representation of women, innovation, and creativity, strengthening legitimacy, reducing inequalities, and presenting women as positive role models in urban governance.

Strengthening Resilience: Social Responsibility and Citizen Participation in Local Governance

The concept of resilience has gained significant prominence across various disciplines, particularly in the context of regional development. Specifically, the Social Responsibility of Local Public Administrations (SRLPA) may play a significant role in fostering resilient territories. This study proposes a second-order model utilizing Structural Equation Modeling—Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) to investigate the complex relationships between the SRLPA and citizen participation in municipal affairs. The proposed model comprises six dimensions for the SRLPA: good governance values, efficiency, transparency, economic issues, environmental concerns, and socio-labor matters. One of the primary contributions of this study is the development and operationalization of a scale designed to measure the construct of the SRLPA. Additionally, empirical analysis shows that the relationship between the SRLPA and citizen participation is indirect. Instead, SRLPA exerts its influence through two mediating variables: citizen connection with the municipality and the perceived bond with the local government. The findings suggest that to positively impact citizen participation, the SRLPA must strengthen relationships with citizens, thereby enhancing their engagement in municipal affairs.

The Role Of Cooperatives In Enhancing Women’s Empowerment In Rural India

This study explores the role of cooperatives in enhancing women’s empowerment in rural India through a comprehensive analysis of secondary data. Cooperatives have emerged as a powerful tool for rural women, providing them with economic opportunities, social capital, and political influence. The research focuses on key indicators, including the female labour force participation rate (LFPR), access to finance, leadership roles, and participation in local governance. Data from various sources, including government reports and research publications, highlight that while cooperatives significantly contribute to women’s economic independence and social empowerment, challenges remain. Cultural barriers, lack of formal education, and restricted access to financial resources continue to hinder the full participation of women in cooperatives, particularly in states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. The study finds that states with better cooperative frameworks, such as Kerala and Tamil Nadu, exhibit higher participation rates and greater empowerment outcomes. Recommendations include enhancing financial literacy programs, promoting gender-sensitive policies, and improving cooperative infrastructure in underserved regions. These findings underscore the importance of cooperatives as a vehicle for holistic empowerment, but also emphasize the need for tailored regional interventions to address persistent barriers

Citizen perception and participation in local government in post-Soviet countries: Case of Kyrgyzstan

Citizen perception and participation in local government in post-Soviet countries: Case of Kyrgyzstan

Leveraging intergovernmental data sharing for digital transformation in ecological and environmental protection

The data-sharing problem in the digital transformation of ecological environmental protection is a result of complex interactions and continuous strategic interactions among governments. While existing research has focused on the application and impact of digital technologies in ecological environmental protection, there remains a paucity of micro-level investigations into data sharing among different local governments regarding ecological environment protection. Notably, the issue of data barriers between local governments is particularly prominent. This paper analyzes the data-sharing problem in the digital transformation of ecological environmental protection through an evolutionary game model involving central and local governments, providing new perspectives and methods for understanding and improving data sharing and governance of ecological environmental protection, thereby promoting the digital transformation of the ecological environmental governance system and governance capacity. It finds that six stable equilibrium strategies can form based on local government participation levels, with the superior government's active promotion and regulation being crucial for achieving stable, multi-party participation. Key factors include the superior government's administrative costs and incentives, and local governments' benefits, costs, and risk considerations. The study highlights the importance of benefit-sharing rules and provides optimization strategies for enhancing intergovernmental data sharing.

Analysis of Stakeholder Participation in the Road Rehabilitation Project in Jati Village, Garut Regency

In 2022, the Public Works and Spatial Planning Office (PUPR) of Garut Regency implemented a road rehabilitation project within the Garut Regency area. One of these projects was the rehabilitation of the road in Jati Village, Tarogong Kaler District. The road rehabilitation project involved various stakeholders. However, in practice, there were still issues with the low participation of stakeholders in the Jati Village road rehabilitation project in Garut Regency. The purpose of this study is to analyze stakeholder participation in the road rehabilitation project carried out by the PUPR office of Garut Regency in the 2022 fiscal year, with the research focus on Jati Village, Tarogong Kaler District. The research design uses a qualitative approach with a descriptive method as the research method. The data collection process used interview, observation, and documentation techniques. The research results concluded that stakeholder participation in the Jati Village road rehabilitation project has not been fully realized. This is evident from the findings that show: first, in terms of the voice aspect, the delivery of ideas and suggestions from stakeholders has not been accommodated by the office. Second, in the access aspect, the government has not provided stakeholders with access to openly learn about the project. Third, in the control aspect, the level of community involvement in overseeing the project is very low. To improve the success of the road rehabilitation project, continuous support from the local government and active participation from all stakeholders are needed

Methods and Strategies to Enhance Community Participation in Local Governance

With the deepening of the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity, local governance has also shown new characteristics. Among them, as an important unit of grassroots governance, the level of community participation directly affects the effectiveness of governance. This article explores strategies for enhancing community participation in local governance. Firstly, analyze the new characteristics of local governance, and then take R community as an example to point out the existing problems and solutions of participatory governance. This study provides useful references for improving community participation.

Vietnamese Citizen Participation in Local Governance

Local governance is characterized by the interaction between government agencies and people in the local social management process, in which people are encouraged to actively play a part in government management activities as regulated by laws. This study addresses the people's rights to directly and indirectly participate in local governance activities in Vietnam. A survey of 360 people from 4 localities representing three regions of Vietnam, including Thai Binh province, Hung Yen province (Northern region), Quang Binh province (Central region), Ca Mau province (Northern region) was conducted to evaluate citizen participation in governance activities of commune-level authorities. The results show that the citizen participation in local governance activities do exist, but are limited to the direct participation. To some extent, the people also have rights to self-determine local issues on infrastructure construction and public welfare projects with their own contributions; however, their self-development of programs and projects and proposals to local authorities for implementation has not been clearly demonstrated. These findings suggest expanding the people's rights to participate in local governance activities as innovations for the improvement local governance effectiveness.

Pengembangan Potensi Curug Leuwi Pamipiran Sebagai Objek Wisata Melalaui Sosialisasi Penguatan Kelembagaan Di Desa Tanjungsari Kabupaten Ciamis

Management Community-based natural resource management and conservation is an effective approach in maintaining environmental sustainability and improving the welfare of local communities. This research aims to analyze the natural resource management and conservation strategies implemented by the people of Tanjungsari Village, Sadananya District, Ciamis Regency. The research method used is a qualitative approach with data collection techniques through in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and documentation studies. The results showed that the Tanjungsari Village community has developed various local initiatives to preserve water sources, and manage tourist attractions in the village. The active participation of the community in conservation activities, support from the local government, and cooperation with non-governmental organizations are key factors in the success of this program. The study concludes that a community-based approach to natural resource management is not only able to preserve the environment, but also contributes to improving the economic and social welfare of local communities. In addition to management, socialization was held. The implementation of these socialization activities is proven to increase the understanding and skills of the community in managing tourism potential in a sustainable manner. In addition, support from the local government and active participation of the community are important factors in the development of curug lewi pamipiran as a leading tourist attraction in Ciamis Regency. This study concludes that institutional strengthening through socialization and training is an effective strategy to optimize regional tourism potential, improve community welfare, and encourage local economic development.

Menciptakan Ruang Gerak yang Bebas dari Ancaman Kekerasan

This service was carried out in Perian Village involving several elements consisting of the local community, regional office, village government and KKN participants. The aim of this service is that it is hoped that participants can understand the factors that cause sexual violence and can avoid it, thereby creating a space for movement that is safe and free from the threat of violence. The methods used in this service are the lecture method, FDG and two-way discussion between resource persons and participants. Whatever the results of this service, Perian Village is still classified as vulnerable to sexual violence, therefore it is hoped that the local community will be more alert and the relevant government should pay attention to the risks for perpetrators as early as possible through the formation of regulations and sanctions for perpetrators and intense guidance for victims so that victims not disturbed by his psychology.

The Potential of Spatial Planning as a Tool for Cities' Pursuit of Sustainable Development Goal 11 in Zimbabwe

This article analyses the extent to which the applicable legal and policy frameworks in Zimbabwe enable cities to use spatial planning to pursue the vision encapsulated in SDG 11. This article argues that although the existing legal framework makes adequate provision for features that can hypothetically guide cities to use spatial planning to pursue the vision envisaged in SDG 11, their potential is constrained by diverse factors such as lack of effective public participation in local governance, the inability of local authorities to generate sufficient revenue, systemic corruption in spatial planning processes, and under-utilisation of a flexible and accommodating legal framework. The research is based on an integrated analysis of primary and secondary sources of law.

DEVELOPMENT OF PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF UKRAINE: ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL RELATIONS

The article reveals trends in the development of participation in local self-government of Ukraine. The purpose of the article is to study trends in the development of participation in local government. The methodology in this article is based on a number of normative legal acts of Ukraine, which today regulate the components of participation in local self-government, in particular the Constitution of Ukraine, normative legal acts on local self-government and public participation in local self-government, as well as international reports and norms. The main result of the research is the study of the development of local self-government from the foundations of democracy to its implementation in the national legislation of Ukraine at the current stage. After all, understanding the essence of partisanship is impossible without the concept of the essence of "participatory democracy", which is an innovative concept and is a mixed form of direct and representative democracy. The concept of participatory democracy as a basis for the development of participation in local self-government of Ukraine is revealed, the legal basis of the concept of "territorial community" as a subject of participation in local self-government is analyzed, and the basis the principles of community coexistence and local self-government are synthesized. The main problems of participation are identified and the main forms of public participation in local self-government are presented as a promising innovative method of management at the local and local levels. This article successfully delineates the transformation of participatory democracy in Ukraine, marked by a profound commitment to enhancing the mechanisms of public participation within local government structures.

Game Theory Applications in Equilibrium Water Pricing of Multiple Regional Sources and Users

China has been facing a contradiction between its water supply and demand for a long time, and it is urgent that it builds a “water-saving society”. Previous research on water pricing mainly focused on the policy level, only considering the supply and demand sides and ignoring the participation of local governments. Due to the inconsistent approval mechanisms, different times of cost formation, and lack of a scientific pricing relationship between multiple water sources and multiple users, with the current water pricing in China, it is difficult to solve the complex problem of water resource allocation. This study aimed to promote the qualitative supply of water and the reuse of reclaimed water, achieve a high-quality and low-cost water supply, and explore the role of water-pricing mechanisms in the regulation of multi-source water supply configurations. The mechanism of regulation is constructed for the complex, multi-source, multi-user water resource system, and a three-party game model is established among local governments, water supply enterprises, and water users. A reasonable pricing system with a rational price relationship is obtained, and Pinghu City in Zhejiang Province is taken as the research area. The prices of the external water supply to residential users, non-resident users, and special users are 4.48 CNY/m3, 6.28 CNY/m3, and 7.12 CNY/m3. The external supply prices for resident users, non-resident users, and special users are 3.81 CNY/m3, 5.25 CNY/m3, and 6.05 CNY/m3. The external supply price for non-resident users is 2.62 CNY/m3 for reclaimed water. The results of the study showed that when the government’s contribution did not exceed the amount that it would have been without the inclusion of recycled water and the annual payment of water users did not exceed their ability to pay, the income of water suppliers increased by 69%. The three balanced objectives of rational water resource configuration by the local government, reasonable profit for the water supply enterprise, and reasonable payment by water users have been achieved. This study provides theoretical and methodological support for the implementation of water pricing for multi-source and multi-user water supplies in water-scarce areas.

The Decentralised Governance in Kenya: Implications on Citizen Participation in the Local Governance

Abstract This study sought to examine the extent to which decentralisation efforts have affected citizen participation in local governance in Kenya. Survey research designs was employed. 371 questionnaires were administered and 16 interview conducted with key stakeholders. The findings revealed that decentralisation influences citizen participation in devolved Governance. 77.3% of the respondents agreed decentralization had promoted political entrepreneurship while 75% contended that decentralization had influenced citizen participation in development of policies and legislation. Moreover, 57.2% of the respondents felt that citizen participation in decentralized policy-making was high while 69% of the respondents were satisfied that decentralization had made it possible for citizens to participate in county budgeting. Only 49% approved the effectiveness of decentralization in promoting citizen participation in participatory budgeting and planning process. The national and county governments should put in place measures to safeguard the independence of the counties in realizing the objective of citizen participation in governance.

Perceived local government performance and people’s life satisfaction: the role of trust in local government and political participation

ABSTRACT Life satisfaction (LS) has received widespread attention, but few studies explored the determinants of people’s LS in China from the perspective of perceived performance of local government (PPLG). Therefore, taking trust in local government and political participation into consideration, this study employed the data in 2021CSS to analyse the relationship between PPLG and LS. The results showed that PPLG had a direct positive relationship with people’s LS. Citizens’ trust in local government played a mediating role in this relationship. That is, PPLG had a significant positive association with citizens’ trust in local government, which in turn had a significant positive relationship with people’s LS. Unexpectedly, institutional and non- institutional political participation played different roles, namely, institutional political participation rather than non-institutional political participation played a mediating role in this model. The conclusions provided a meaningful supplement for related studies, but some potential limitations require further discussion.

Assessing Demographics, Perceptions, and Participation: A Study on Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Effectiveness and Improvement Suggestions

The Sangguniang Kabataan is an important institution in the Philippines that represents the interests of youth and engages them in local governance. This study examines the perceptions of young Filipinos regarding the Sangguniang Kabataan’s (SK) participation in local government, focusing on understanding how youth perspectives influence the efficacy of SK initiatives. The research integrated a descriptive quantitative research design. A total of 32 participants were involved in the study, providing insights into their demographic profiles, perceptions of SK duties and functions, levels of participation in SK activities, and suggestions for improving SK officials and their activities. The findings reveal that while respondents generally recognize the importance of the SK in representing youth in local government, there are areas where its effectiveness can be enhanced, such as in implementing youth-focused programs and initiatives. The study also highlights barriers to youth participation in SK activities, including lack of awareness and time constraints. Recommendations for improving youth engagement in the SK include prioritizing advocacy for youth-related issues, enhancing communication with young individuals, and focusing on initiatives that address critical issues like poverty, education, and mental health. By implementing these recommendations, the SK can better serve the needs and aspirations of the youth population and create a more responsive and inclusive local governance structure.

Localization of the counterinsurgency in Sinai: A case study on integrating local population into counterinsurgency combat operations in Sinai

AbstractIntegrating local militias in the counterinsurgency (COIN) operations in Sinai has achieved tangible successes. The presence of local fighters contributed to the penetration of the Islamic State—Sinai Province network. The integration of locals into the ongoing COIN process has imposed a degree of local participation in local governance and decision‐making. Nevertheless, this article argues that there are two approaches to local integration into the COIN operation; the first is institutional integration, in which the state integrates local fighters at an institutional level in the ranks of the security apparatus. The second is the collaborating militia approach. In this pattern, the state resorts to warlords and tribal chiefs to mobilize irregular militias, coordinating with the regular forces in the COIN process without formally merging them into security institutions’ ranks. The Egyptian model in the Sinai is one of the latter type. The collaborating militia integration approach into COIN operations contributes to wooing elites to create narrow patronage networks of cronies, preventing systematized community participation in the decision‐making process, which leads to keeping the factors of rebellion alive below the surface even if the rebels are defeated militarily.

Analysis of the role of local government in the prevention of environmental damage in Kuala Tanjung Industrial Park, North Sumatra, Indonesia

The development of active industrial areas in the production process of course produces waste that can damage the surrounding environment. Kuala Tanjung Village is a Priority Industrial Area based on Presidential Regulation Number 56 of 2018. A review of environmental impacts needs to be carried out. Active local government participation is needed, of course through regulation. This research aims to examine the efforts made by the Government of Batu Bara Regency to prevent environmental damage to the industrial area in Kuala Tanjung village. The research method used is a qualitative method with a descriptive type of research. While the data used are primary data and secondary data. The result showed that the Regional Government of Batubara Regency has Regional Regulation Number 2 of 2022 concerning the implementation of environmental protection and management. However, it is a pity that the regulation has just been issued, even though several companies have been operating for a long time. Furthermore, there are also programs and activities carried out, namely monitoring river water, routine monitoring of companies, and planting mangrove forests. The entire program is still limited to liquid waste, while air quality is far from being a concern. Coupled with the lack of budget allocations, the programs that are run are still very limited.