In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the significance of citizen participation in decision-making processes, particularly in the design and delivery of municipal services. In South Africa, where democratic governance is foundational, citizen advisory boards could present a unique opportunity to foster co-creation between citizens and local governments.
Citizen advisory boards are ordinarily composed of community members and critical stakeholders who provide input, advice, and recommendations to local government officials, agencies, and related organisations. These boards bridge the gap between the community and decision-makers, ensuring that public perspectives and interests are considered in various policy-making processes and the design of municipal services. By establishing these boards, we can harness the collective wisdom of diverse perspectives and create a more inclusive and effective municipal service delivery system.
This blog explores the potential benefits of these boards and how they can contribute to co-creating municipal services in South Africa.
- Enhancing Local Democracy:
Citizen advisory boards allow citizens to directly participate in local governance, thus promoting democratic values. By involving diverse community members, including marginalised groups and individuals, these boards ensure that decisions are not made solely by elected officials or bureaucrats. Instead, they encourage collaboration and co-creation between citizens and municipal authorities, resulting in policies and services that better reflect the needs and aspirations of the community.
- Bridging Communication Gaps:
One of the primary advantages of citizen advisory boards is their ability to bridge the communication gap between citizens and local authorities. These boards serve as intermediaries, facilitating these key stakeholders’ dialogue and understanding. By providing a structured platform for open discussions and feedback, citizens can express their concerns, propose solutions, and actively contribute to designing and delivering municipal services. This inclusivity helps build trust, transparency, and accountability within the community.
- Leveraging Local Knowledge:
Citizen advisory boards recognise that citizens possess valuable local knowledge and lived experiences. Combined with municipal practitioners’ technical expertise, this knowledge can lead to innovative and context-specific solutions. Local governments can tap into this collective intelligence by involving citizens in decision-making, resulting in more effective and sustainable municipal services. Consequently, citizen advisory boards promote co-creation by ensuring policies and programmes address communities’ real needs and challenges.
- Promoting Ownership and Empowerment:
Through citizen advisory boards, communities are empowered to take ownership of their local development. By actively participating in decision-making, citizens gain a sense of responsibility and agency, increasing community cohesion and engagement. When individuals feel empowered and have a say in shaping their environment, they are more likely to take ownership of municipal services, ensuring their success and sustainability in the long run.
- Strengthening Social Cohesion:
Citizen advisory boards have the potential to foster social cohesion within communities. These boards create spaces for dialogue, collaboration, and understanding by bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds. This process enables citizens to work towards common goals and builds relationships and networks, strengthening social ties and community resilience. Co-creating municipal services helps bridge social divides, promoting a sense of belonging and shared responsibility among citizens.
In conclusion, citizen advisory boards can offer a valuable opportunity for South African municipalities to foster co-creation in the design and delivery of municipal services. By actively involving citizens, these boards can enhance local democracy, bridge communication gaps, leverage local knowledge, promote ownership and empowerment, and strengthen social cohesion. Municipalities must recognise the potential of citizen advisory boards and invest in their establishment and sustainability. Suppose we are to improve local government outcomes. In that case, we need to embrace co-creation and pave the way for more inclusive, effective, and responsive municipal services that genuinely serve the needs of its diverse communities.
Luncedo Njezula is the Executive Manager: Governance, Strategy and Partnerships at the South African Cities Network (SACN). To contact him, email luncedo@sacities.net