Creating a smart budget model for public expectations in local governments (A case study on Sakarya Metropolitan Municipality)

The aim of study is to conceptualize participatory (smart) budgeting, which is a part of smart governance, and, based on global practices, to propose a participatory budgeting model that can be implemented in Turkey. In light of this model, the study also aims to identify the position of participatory budgeting within the Sakarya Metropolitan Municipality. Additionally, the study seeks to determine whether the views of citizens and municipal administrators regarding participatory budgeting practices are aligned. A study was conducted with both qualitative and quantitative research methods, in other words, mixed method. Surveys were administered to citizens over the age of sixteen residing in Sakarya, while semi structured interviews were conducted with senior executives directly involved in the participatory budgeting process at the Sakarya Metropolitan Municipality. The main findings of this study indicate that participatory budgeting is a mechanism through which citizens can directly participate in the decision-making process regarding the use of public resources. It is noted that non-governmental organizations, neighborhood representatives, and city councils are the most significant actors in this process. Based on examples from various countries, it is observed that there are diverse implementations of participatory budgeting. The elements of the participatory budgeting model, derived from global practices, include holding neighborhood meetings to understand citizens' service demands, facilitating interactions between the mayor and citizens on both physical and digital platforms, prioritizing the needs of disadvantaged groups, conducting e-surveys, implementing digital voting, and ensuring that participatory budgeting actors remain active throughout the process. Lastly, it was concluded that the views of citizens residing in Sakarya and municipal administrators regarding participatory budgeting approaches and the actors involved in the process are aligned. However, while the level of agreement on participatory budgeting practices in Sakarya is generally consistent, attitudes diverge on certain issues.