Participatory budgeting in Trogir (Croatia) 

About the Historic City of Trogir

The Historic City of Trogir was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1997 under criteria (ii) and (iv). The city presents a remarkable example of urban continuity. The orthogonal street plan of this island settlement dates back to the Hellenistic period and it was embellished by successive rulers with many fine public and domestic buildings and fortifications. Its beautiful Romanesque churches are complemented by the outstanding Renaissance and Baroque buildings from the Venetian period.

Participatory budgeting

Since 2018, the City of Trogir has developed a yearly model for participatory budgeting and decision-making, which enables local residents to decide on the application of a modest part of the city budget. The participatory budgeting project, pioneer in the Dalmatian region and among the few in Croatia, aims to raise the level of citizen participation in the decision-making process at the local level.

The model is applied to all eight neighbourhoods in the city of Trogir, including the historic centre which forms part of the World Heritage site. The total amount ranges from 1.350.000 KN (approx. 180.000 EUR) for the whole city, to 145.000-300.000 KN (approx. 20.000-40.000 EUR) for a single city borough or committee, such as the Historic City. 

Residents can propose projects in eight local committees representing each of the neighbourhoods, after the yearly tender officially opens. The tender is promoted through the City’s official platforms and local media. Citizens can propose their suggestions of small communal investments via e-mail, online form, by post or in person, by filling out the form on the spot and inserting it into the provided box.  

After the financial and technical evaluation of all citizen proposals, a public voting is organised. Any citizen living in a particular neighbourhood can give a vote, either in person or through an online form, to a project they consider a priority for their neighbourhood. Voting is also open to people who were not involved in submitting a project. All Trogir residents are invited to participate in a public discussion event in their neighbourhood. Once projects have been selected, the City undertakes their implementation in the following year. Projects located in the historic centre are developed in close cooperation with the Conservation department of the Croatian Ministry of Culture, in order to ensure their positive or neutral impact on the Outstanding Universal Value of the property.

The Municipality of Trogir reports that the participatory budgeting process has contributed to build a direct relationship and mutual trust with citizens, as well as the successful development of approximately 100 practical projects such as small infrastructure upgrades (street furniture, balustrades, lighting), construction of children playgrounds and enhancement of open and green spaces.

Source: Ms Ruža Kovačević Bilić, City of Trogir, 2020-2021