CIVIC BUDGETING AS AN ELEMENT OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

Abstract

The article considers new elements of regional development strategy with a focus on institutional and methodological aspects of planning socio-economic progress. Special attention is paid to the role of public participation in the processes of development and implementation of strategic documents, including such mechanisms as public hearings, expert consultations, focus groups, digital platforms of e-governance and, in particular, civic budgeting. The author analyzes both theoretical foundations and practical examples of the introduction of such tools in international practice (Brazil, Spain, France, China) and the prerequisites for their application in the Republic of Belarus. The author presents the key directions for improving the system of strategic planning at the regional level: legal framework, institutional infrastructure, approval procedures, monitoring and evaluation, as well as identifies the existing institutional barriers. It is demonstrated that strengthening the role of civil society and introduction of mechanisms for direct participation of the population in the distribution of budgetary resources contribute to increasing the transparency of public decisions, strengthening trust in the authorities and more accurately reflecting the interests of the local population. The conclusion is that it is necessary to integrate new approaches into the current system of state planning to ensure sustainable and balanced of regional development.