After Reform: Citizen Councils and Participatory Budgets as Tools to Reduce the Periphery Effect

The new Municipal Law, effective January 1, 2023, introduced several citizen participation instruments aimed at reducing the so-called "periphery effect" – the risk that after the reform, residents in large municipalities feel disconnected from decision-making. The two main tools are citizen councils and participatory budgeting.

Citizen Councils

According to a study by the public policy center "Providus," approximately 251 citizen councils have been established in Latvia, operating in 23 of the 35 municipal territories. However, only four municipalities – Preiļi, Sigulda, Ropaži, and Ādaži – have councils in all their administrative territories.

A survey of 124 council representatives from 22 municipalities found that most believe the councils help reduce the risk that their area's interests are overlooked. 87% of respondents had a clear understanding of the council's mandate. However, cooperation with municipalities is weaker – councils are more often informed about everyday issues but less involved in strategic decisions such as budget development or planning.

Sustainability is a key challenge: 41% of council members are described as passive, and activity tends to decline over time. Only 13% of representatives report that residents frequently contact the council, and only a third believe that most residents are informed about the council's work.

Participatory Budgeting

Since 2025, participatory budgeting is mandatory for all municipalities. This year, 39 of 42 municipalities implemented it, with total funding reaching approximately €5.5 million, nearly half of which came from Riga. Several municipalities allocated more than the legal minimum.

Citizen activity varies greatly: for example, only three projects were submitted in Līvāni, while 40 were submitted in Aizkraukle. The median number of projects per 10,000 residents was 3.9. Of 658 submitted ideas, 78% (513) proceeded to a vote, while the rest were rejected for not complying with municipal regulations. Voter turnout also varied significantly.

Future Steps

The study emphasizes that first-year data is just a beginning. Effective implementation requires quality communication from municipalities, clear feedback, and support for residents. The role of councils in decision-making should be strengthened, and the participatory budget process needs to be more transparent. At the national level, continued monitoring is recommended to identify best practices and obstacles.