The purpose of this study is to explore the involvement of citizens in the administration
of local budgets, which significantly contribute to the financial and economic independence of rural areas. The study presents the findings of a sociological research conducted in the Turkestan region, Kazakhstan. The survey included 259 rural residents
from 14 rural districts and two significant cities in the region, all aged 18 and above
and permanent residents of these areas.
The analysis is based on the survey results, focusing on the overall level of citizens’
engagement in decision-making regarding local budget formation and distribution in
rural areas. The study reveals a low level of citizen participation in managing the local
budget. While general meetings and local gatherings serve as primary avenues for citizen involvement, only 79.9% of respondents reported participating in budget discussions, with only 20.1% of their opinions considered during budget allocation.
Finally, the study identifies several factors that negatively affect effective citizen participation in local budget management. These factors include a lack of timely awareness
and information about upcoming planning and budget meetings (56.4%), insufficient
transparency in the actions of local executive leaders (Akims) (14.3%), bureaucratic
complexity and a formal approach to budget discussions (3.5%), and low levels of citizen trust in rural district Akims (5.4%).
