Citizens' input is valued, and officials suggest opportunities for public involvement in decision-making - Vladimir Blochin
👨💼 Vladimir Blohin, a State Council deputy of the Komi Republic, is all about putting power in the people's hands. He's a big believer in the "People's Budget" program, which lets citizens take part in decision-making and influence change for the better.
One example he points to is fixing up the Vodnyansk cultural center so it's accessible for folks with mobility issues, situated in the Uhta municipal district. This move was made possible by the "People's Budget" project, and now this cultural hotspot keeps on proposing issues that need fixing in a constant cycle of improvement.
"I reckon initiatives like this have a solid future ahead. The more positive examples we've got, the more people will be convinced they got the power to shape their own lives," Vladimir emphasized.
He backs up his stance with some stats: In the Komi Republic, there are currently 2,145 winning projects, with the numbers growing each year – from 143 in 2017, 125 in 2018, 276 in 2019, 236 in 2020, 440 in 2021, 533 in 2022, to 392 in 2023 and counting.
As if that don't convince ya, Vladimir hammers it home: "Power listens to citizens and lets them have a voice in decision-making. This happens through programs that give citizens a say in how public funds get spent, through community voting for improvements to shared spaces, through competitions for project funding, and through supporting projects in the 'People's Budget' program. The 'People's Budget' is like community members coming together, united, to achieve a common goal."
In case ya were wonderin', this "People's Budget" business is under the watchful eye of Rostislav Goldstein, the current Komi Republic leader. He's planning on shelling out over half a billion rubles on these participatory budgeting projects in 2025, which means more than 530 projects get the green light to move forward.
In essence, the "People's Budget" program aims to elevate community voices and influence in decision-making, promote transparency, and ensure that public funds meet community needs. By empowering citizens to have a say in local governance, this program increases civic engagement, fosters trust, strengthens local democracy, and improves the responsiveness of budget allocations to community priorities.
In the face of challenges like political repression and resource development pressures, programs like the "People's Budget" could prove to be a vital tool for indigenous communities and citizens to safeguard their interests and influence development policies in a positive way. Keep your eyes peeled for more updates on how the "People's Budget" changes lives in the Komi Republic! 🚀💥💰💪
- Vladimir Blohin, a State Council deputy, firmly believes that the "People's Budget" program, which empowers citizens to participate in decision-making, is a crucial aspect of politics, particularly in the Komi Republic.
- The 'People's Budget' policy-and-legislation initiative, overseen by Rostislav Goldstein, the Komi Republic leader, is aimed at increasing general-news coverage of community voices and influences in decision-making, ensuring transparency, and responding to community needs.
