Building communities from the ground up: Local participatory governance and its link to SDG 16
- Yuki Kimura
- May 6
- 4 min read
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all UN Member States, underscores the importance of peace, inclusion, and accountable institutions as cornerstones of human development. Within this framework, SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – stands out as a transformative goal, seeking to foster transparent governance, reduce violence, and ensure equal access to justice for all. Central to achieving this objective is the role of local participatory governance, a democratic model that places citizens at the heart of decision-making.
Strengthening participatory governance is essential not only to advance SDG 16, but also to accelerate broader efforts across the SDGs, including gender equality, climate action, and economic equality. By building institutional trust from the bottom up, this approach enhances resilience and social cohesion, especially in societies facing historical exclusion or political instability.
Understanding local participatory governance
Local participatory governance is defined by the active engagement of citizens in shaping public policy and managing public resources. Unlike traditional top-down models, this approach empowers individuals and communities to influence decisions through direct involvement in budgeting, service delivery, and policy evaluation.
According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), local governance mechanisms that involve citizens directly have been shown to improve institutional performance and foster social empowerment. Studies in Latin America and Europe suggest that participatory mechanisms can lead to measurable improvements in service delivery and transparency, with a reported 20–30% increase in citizen trust where these practices are institutionalised.
Global examples of participatory governance in action
Participatory budgeting, originating in Porto Alegre, Brazil, is one of the most studied and replicated models. In Porto Alegre, the model helped reduce infant mortality rates by 20%, improve access to sanitation, and ensure more equitable distribution of public resources. Today, cities like Madrid and Lisbon have adapted the practice, enabling residents to propose and vote on projects funded by municipal budgets.
In Peru, Participatory Budget Monitoring Committees provide oversight for local projects, particularly in rural areas where corruption and resource mismanagement have historically undermined development. These citizen-led mechanisms have brought a marked reduction in misallocated funds, highlighting the role of civil society in safeguarding justice and strong institutions.
Meanwhile, digital innovations in countries like Estonia and South Korea are revolutionising public access to information. Open government portals allow citizens to track budgets, participate in legislative consultations, and even submit policy proposals. In South Korea, the "People's Idea Box" platform has received over 800,000 citizen suggestions, many of which have shaped national legislation.
The challenges of inclusive participation
Despite clear benefits, participatory governance is not without its limitations. Often, the most marginalised voices – including women, youth, and indigenous populations – are underrepresented. Without deliberate design, participatory processes can become symbolic, dominated by elite or already-empowered groups.
Moreover, local authorities frequently face technical and financial constraints. According to the World Bank, nearly 60% of municipalities in low-income countries lack the capacity to implement participatory mechanisms at scale. These gaps highlight the need for international support and capacity-building, especially in fragile or post-conflict settings.
Addressing these barriers requires deliberate incorporation of gender-sensitive frameworks, culturally relevant methods, and digital tools tailored to local realities. Integrating these strategies can support the broader global goals by ensuring no community is left behind.
The intersection with other SDGs
The impact of local participatory governance extends beyond SDG 16. It intersects with multiple other SDGs, reinforcing the holistic nature of the Sustainable Development Goals:
SDG 5 (Gender Equality): ensuring women's leadership in governance processes contributes to more inclusive outcomes. In Rwanda, a quota system has led to over 60% female representation in local councils.
SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): engaging marginalised communities in policy development helps address systemic exclusion.
SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities): urban resilience is strengthened when citizens contribute to planning and resource allocation.
SDG 13 (Climate Action): community-driven climate initiatives, such as coastal management committees or indigenous forest governance, are proving effective in advancing environmental protection at the local level.
Realising the full potential of participatory governance requires a unified effort. The Global Society – comprising governments, international organisations, civil society, academia, and local communities – must collaborate to create enabling environments for local action.
Initiatives such as the Global Partnership for Social Accountability and the Open Government Partnership have demonstrated the importance of cross-sector collaboration in scaling citizen-led governance models. These alliances also highlight the critical role of science, evidence-based policymaking, and digital innovation in creating accessible and equitable governance frameworks.
Looking forward: Building sustainable futures from the grassroots
In an era of increasing global complexity and institutional distrust, building communities from the ground up may be the most effective way to restore confidence in democracy and governance. As global challenges – from climate emergencies to social inequalities – continue to unfold, local participatory governance offers a tangible strategy for embedding justice, sustainability, and peace into the everyday lives of citizens.
By investing in inclusive mechanisms that truly reflect the needs of all members of society, the global community takes a critical step towards achieving the SDGs. The future of sustainable development lies not in centralised mandates but in empowering citizens to become architects of their own communities.
Further reading: Explore how local participatory governance is helping advance the SDGs:
