In Tunisia participatory budgeting was introduced for the first time in 2014 in four municipalities: La Marsa – which allocates 10% of its investment budget to the participatory budget – Menzel Bourguiba, Tozeur and Gabès, on the initiative of the association Action Associative. To date, 19 municipalities have adopted the participatory budgeting system. According to officials and civil society in La Marsa and Sfax, participatory budgeting has helped to build confidence between citizens and the municipality, and has increased participation and legitimacy in a context in which towns are governed by special delegations nominated to run the cities until the first local elections since the revolution of 2011 will take place.
Throughout the world, there are a great many different approaches to participatory budgeting. In Tunisia, Action Associative is a key actor, which increases awareness and offers training in a well-defined methodology. In line with this system, participatory budgeting takes place according to the following stages.
The process often begins with an official decision by the municipal council to create a budget line for the participatory budget. Next, an agreement is signed between civil society and the municipality, defining the rules of cooperation.
The first phase is that of communication and raising awareness of the participatory budget and the possibility of engaging in the process. Forums are then organised in the various residential areas, hosted on a voluntary basis by local facilitators proposed by signatory associations to the conventions. The facilitators also have the task of informing citizens and raising awareness among them through brochures, messages broadcast on loudspeakers, house-to-house visits, etc.
Each forum lasts two days, generally from Saturday to Sunday. The Saturday is given over to a presentation by the municipality or the technical service of the participatory budget, projects planned achievements and local finances. The Sunday is used for discussions between citizens, allowing them to present their needs and vote for projects. At the end of the forum, three delegates, who must include one woman, one man and one youth, are chosen to represent the residential area/district to which they will be accountable.
After the vote has taken place in all neighbourhoods, a delegates’ forum is organised, during which a vote is held for the projects that will subsequently be adopted by the municipal council.
The methodology also provides for the involvement of citizens in the implementation phase. Citizens’ monitoring committees are formed to oversee the procurement process and the carrying out of the works. (OECD, 2019[15])
In addition, several municipalities, including La Marsa, Menzel Bourguiba, Gabès, Tozeur, La Manouba, Sfax and Gafsa, have signed an intermunicipal mutual aid agreement on participatory budgeting. The aim of this intermunicipal network is to provide support for the participatory budget and secure its long-term future.