Mechanisms for Implementing Participatory Democracy at the Local Level: The Tunisian Experience as a Model
Abstract
Participatory democracy currently represents a modern approach to democracy, aiming to involve all individuals and civil society organizations in the management of local affairs, as well as in decision-making processes, policies, and actions that have a direct impact on their personal lives. This approach seeks to reduce the complete reliance on elected representatives in various councils, especially at the local level.
Considering that municipalities are the regional bodies closest to citizens, there is a pressing need to establish tools that enable citizens to participate effectively in decision-making at the local level.
This study aims to identify the key mechanisms introduced by the Local Government Code in Tunisia to enhance citizen participation in managing local affairs, in order to evaluate their effectiveness.
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References
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16- Giannelos, K. (2023). Democratic Innovation in Europe : Conditions for Ethical Participatory Practices. In G. Rouet & T. Côme (Éds.), Participatory and Digital Democracy at the Local Level : European Discourses and Practices , Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-20943-7_23
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24- Naoui, I. (2021). Evaluating Participatory Democracy in the Maghreb Countries : Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria for Enhancing Development. Algerian Journal of Public Finance, 11(01),.
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27- Saoudi, M. (2019). Les budgets participatifs d’investissement : Un dispositif politique et/ou un dispositif citoyen. Gestion & Finances Publiques, 3(3), https://doi.org/10.3166/gfp.2019.3.003
28- Sarhal, Ahmad. (2002). On Constitutional Law and Political Systems : Framework and Sources (01 éd.). Majd University Institution for Studies, Publishing and Distribution.
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30- Simionov, L. M., Ţigănaşu, R., & Pascariu, G. C. (2023). The Relationship Between Participatory Democracy and Digitalization in Europe : Is There an East-West Divide? In G. Rouet & T. Côme (Éds.), Participatory and Digital Democracy at the Local Level : European Discourses and Practices , 99. Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-20943-7_7
31- Souikat, A.-A. (2017). The Role of Civil Society in Establishing Participatory Democracy : A Case Study of Algeria and Morocco. Journal of Politics and Law, 17.
32- Souilem, M. (2021). The Legal Framework for Implementing Local Participatory Democracy Approaches in Maghreb Countries : A Comparative Study between Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco. Oasis Journal of Research and Studies, 14(02).
33- Špaček, D., & Navrátil, M. (2023). ICT Use in Municipal Participatory Budgeting in Czechia : Similar Patterns or Heterogeneity? Springer,
34- the Internal Regulations of Municipal Councils, Approved by Governmental Order No. 744. Of 23-08-2018, Concerning the approval of the model internal regulations for municipal councils. (73-74). Tunisia: Official Gazette of the Republic of Tunisia, of 11-14/09/2018.
35- The Practical Guide for Local Observers,(2019), (1st ed.), Tunisia, Al Bawsala Association.
36- Thierry, C., Stephane, M., & Alexandre, S. (2023). Participatory Budgeting : Behind the Words, the Euros. Empirical Study of 4043 Projects in Paris (2014–2021). Springer, 245 https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-20943-7_15.
37- Vitalisova, K., & Jaroslav, D. (2023). Differences and Similarities in Local Participative Governance in Slovakia and Lithuania. Springer, 132 http://ouci.dntb.gov.ua/en/works/9jAM2Opl/
38- Waheed, R., & Waite, I. (1937). Constitutional Law. Al-Asriya Printing Press.
39- Youngmin, O., & Seunghoo, L. (2017). Le chaînon manquant entre participation à l’administration et participation politique : La fonction de médiation de l’efficacité politique. Revue Internationale Des Sciences Administratives, 83.
2- Al-Turki, Y. (2018). Technical Guide for Preparing the Municipal Investment Plan 2014-2018.
3- Announcement published in Gazette Issue No. 26, of 29-03-2016.
4- Aqboubi, M. (2016). Participatory Democracy in Local Elected Councils in Algeria. Journal of Law, 06.
5- Aubin, E. (2018). La protection constitutionnelle de la transparence administrative. Les Nouveaux Cahiers du Conseil constitutionnel, 59(2), https://doi.org/10.3917/nccc1.059.0035
6- Basic Law No. 22, Concerning the right to access information, Tunisia, Official Gazette of the Republic of Tunisia, of 29-03-2016
7- Basic Law No. 29 of 09-05-2018, Concerning local communities, of 15-05-2018.
8- Basic Law No. 33, of 14-05-1975, Concerning the issuance of the Basic Law of Municipalities.
9- Bozhinova, D., & Gueorguieva, P. (2023). (Dis)empowering Citizens at the Local Level in Bulgaria : Digitalization, Local Democracy, and Participatory Practices Before and Post-COVID-19.
10- Chareet, A.-A. (2008). Participatory Democracy : Foundations and Prospects. Al-Wasit Journal, 06.
11- Côme, T., & Rouet, G. (2023). Introduction : Local Participatory Democracy, Discourses, and Practices in Digital Age. Post-Print, Article hal-04461511. https://ideas.repec.org//p/hal/journl/hal-04461511.htmia
12- Daniel, K., Philippe, E. R., Su Yun, W., & Nico van, der H. (2020). Renforcer la gouvernabilité plutôt qu’approfondir la démocratie : Les raisons qui amènent les gouvernements locaux À Introduire La Gouvernance Participative ,Revue Internationale des Sciences Administratives, 86(03)
13- El-Agati, M., Mohsen, H., Hassan, A., & Khaled, K. (2011). Community participation through local councils in Egypt. Arab Alternatives Forum & Local Government Foundation of Denmark.
14- Feriana Municipality available on:
15- Fund for Loans and Support to Local Communities, Guideline Note to Governors and Heads of Local Authorities on the Establishment of a Complaints Management System 8174/20, Tunis ,2015.
16- Giannelos, K. (2023). Democratic Innovation in Europe : Conditions for Ethical Participatory Practices. In G. Rouet & T. Côme (Éds.), Participatory and Digital Democracy at the Local Level : European Discourses and Practices , Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-20943-7_23
17- Guide for Local Authority in Tunisia. (2019). Tunisia: European Union, (2 ed.)., Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.
18- House of Councillors. (n.d). Mechanisms of Participatory Democracy in Morocco. Publications of the Center for Studies and Research in Parliamentary Affairs. Publications of the Center for Studies and Research in Parliamentary Affairs.
19- Jiri, N. (s. d.). Participatory Democracy and Developmental Empowerment Towards Building a Participatory Public Policy. Adalah Journal of Legal and Judicial Studies.
20- Kermash, A. (2021). The Constitutional Enshrinement of Participatory Democracy in the Constitutions of the Maghreb Countries : Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco. Journal of Legal Research, 01
21- Kübler, D., Rochat, P. E., Woo, S. Y., & Heiden, N. van der. (2020). Renforcer la gouvernabilité plutôt qu’approfondir la démocratie : Les raisons qui amènent les gouvernements locaux à introduire la gouvernance participative. Revue Internationale des Sciences Administratives, 86(3).
22- Law No. 57, of 1-06-1959, the Adoption and Issuance of the Constitution of the Republic of Tunisia, Tunisia, Official Gazette of the Republic of Tunisia n 30.
23- Léonard, G. (2021). Participation citoyenne et processus budgétaires : Quelles configurations possibles ? | Cairn.info. Action Publique Recherche Et Pratiques, 13, https://shs.cairn.info/revue-action-publique-recherche-et-pratiques-2022-1-page-16?lang=fr
24- Naoui, I. (2021). Evaluating Participatory Democracy in the Maghreb Countries : Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria for Enhancing Development. Algerian Journal of Public Finance, 11(01),.
25- Presidential Decree No. 578. (2022, 06 30). Concerning the publication of the new draft constitution of the Republic of Tunisia, subject to the referendum scheduled for Monday, July 25, 2022.
26- Raytcheva, S. (2023). Participatory Democracy As Practice : Actors And Discourses (Springer), 13..
27- Saoudi, M. (2019). Les budgets participatifs d’investissement : Un dispositif politique et/ou un dispositif citoyen. Gestion & Finances Publiques, 3(3), https://doi.org/10.3166/gfp.2019.3.003
28- Sarhal, Ahmad. (2002). On Constitutional Law and Political Systems : Framework and Sources (01 éd.). Majd University Institution for Studies, Publishing and Distribution.
29- Scognamiglio, T., & Carrel, M. (2022). La participation citoyenne : Définitions, méthodologies et état des lieux. Action publique. Recherche et pratiques, 13(1), https://doi.org/10.3917/aprp.013.0006
30- Simionov, L. M., Ţigănaşu, R., & Pascariu, G. C. (2023). The Relationship Between Participatory Democracy and Digitalization in Europe : Is There an East-West Divide? In G. Rouet & T. Côme (Éds.), Participatory and Digital Democracy at the Local Level : European Discourses and Practices , 99. Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-20943-7_7
31- Souikat, A.-A. (2017). The Role of Civil Society in Establishing Participatory Democracy : A Case Study of Algeria and Morocco. Journal of Politics and Law, 17.
32- Souilem, M. (2021). The Legal Framework for Implementing Local Participatory Democracy Approaches in Maghreb Countries : A Comparative Study between Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco. Oasis Journal of Research and Studies, 14(02).
33- Špaček, D., & Navrátil, M. (2023). ICT Use in Municipal Participatory Budgeting in Czechia : Similar Patterns or Heterogeneity? Springer,
34- the Internal Regulations of Municipal Councils, Approved by Governmental Order No. 744. Of 23-08-2018, Concerning the approval of the model internal regulations for municipal councils. (73-74). Tunisia: Official Gazette of the Republic of Tunisia, of 11-14/09/2018.
35- The Practical Guide for Local Observers,(2019), (1st ed.), Tunisia, Al Bawsala Association.
36- Thierry, C., Stephane, M., & Alexandre, S. (2023). Participatory Budgeting : Behind the Words, the Euros. Empirical Study of 4043 Projects in Paris (2014–2021). Springer, 245 https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-20943-7_15.
37- Vitalisova, K., & Jaroslav, D. (2023). Differences and Similarities in Local Participative Governance in Slovakia and Lithuania. Springer, 132 http://ouci.dntb.gov.ua/en/works/9jAM2Opl/
38- Waheed, R., & Waite, I. (1937). Constitutional Law. Al-Asriya Printing Press.
39- Youngmin, O., & Seunghoo, L. (2017). Le chaînon manquant entre participation à l’administration et participation politique : La fonction de médiation de l’efficacité politique. Revue Internationale Des Sciences Administratives, 83.
Published
2026-06-10
How to Cite
BOUSLAH , K. (2026). Mechanisms for Implementing Participatory Democracy at the Local Level: The Tunisian Experience as a Model . Journal of Science and Knowledge Horizons, 6(2), 193-214. https://doi.org/10.34118/jskp.v6i2.4627
Section
Articles
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