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Making citizen participation not an occasional moment or a simple consultation, but a stable and ordinary method of government. This is the objective of the bill “Regulations for the promotion of citizen participation in public policies in Calabria”, filed by the group leader of Tridico, President of the Regional Council, Enzo Bruno.
A proposal born from the belief that the quality of public decisions improves when institutions and citizens share real, transparent and structured comparison paths. The basic idea is simple but profoundly innovative: involving communities, associations, local authorities, universities, schools, social organizations and citizens in the construction of choices regarding the future of the territories.
«Participation cannot be considered a formal fulfillment or a ritual to be celebrated when decisions have already been made – states Bruno -. It must become a permanent instrument of democracy, capable of strengthening trust in institutions, improving the quality of public policies and reducing the distance that too often separates citizens from the places where decisions are made.”
The focus on internal and peripheral areas
The proposed law looks in particular at Calabria’s internal areas, small municipalities, mountainous and peripheral areas, where depopulation, reduction of services and distance from decision-making centers risk producing growing democratic marginalization.
The tools of participatory democracy
Among the most innovative elements of the proposal is the introduction of concrete and structured tools of participatory democracy: from public debate for works and interventions with the greatest territorial impact to participatory budgeting, from civic assemblies to citizen juries, up to co-planning laboratories and digital platforms for the direct involvement of citizens.
The role of the Ombudsman and the Regional Council
The proposal also provides for the relaunch of the role of the regional Ombudsman, called upon to carry out functions of guarantee, supervision, certification and methodological support for participatory processes, as well as the creation of a regional council for participation as a permanent place of discussion between institutions and civil society.
Rewards for virtuous Municipalities
Particular attention is also paid to virtuous local authorities. In fact, the law introduces a reward system for Municipalities that will adopt regulations on participation, activate participatory budgets, civic consultations and other permanent tools for citizen involvement.
«We want to reward the administrations that choose to invest in participation and transparency – underlines Bruno – because a stronger democracy arises from institutions capable of listening and engaging with communities».
Financial sustainability at zero cost
Another relevant aspect of the proposal concerns financial sustainability. In fact, the law does not provide for new costs for the regional budget, but uses already available resources, European and national funds and existing instruments, enhancing synergies with universities, schools, third sector bodies and local entities.
A signal against mistrust in politics
«In a historical phase marked by mistrust towards politics and growing disaffection with democratic participation – concludes Bruno – I believe that Calabria can give an important signal. This proposal aims to build a more open, more transparent and closer to citizens Region. A Region that does not limit itself to administering, but which chooses to govern together with its communities.”