Eficiencia de los presupuestos participativos en la gobernanza local: Caso GAD parroquiales del cantón Santa Ana - Manabí

Abstract

Abstract: Participatory budgeting has become one of the most relevant mechanisms of participatory democracy at the local level, allowing citizens to directly participate in the allocation of public resources. In the Ecuadorian context, this instrument is particularly important in rural parish-level Decentralized Autonomous Governments (GADs), characterized by budgetary constraints and multiple social demands. This research aims to analyze the efficiency of participatory budgeting in rural parish-level GADs. Methodologically, the study adopts a qualitative approach, based on semi-structured interviews with local authorities, social actors, and citizens, as well as on documentary analysis of current regulations and institutional documents. The results show that, while participatory budgeting constitutes a significant space for deliberation and collective decision-making, its efficiency is limited by factors such as restricted institutional capacity, unequal citizen participation, and weaknesses in monitoring and evaluation processes. Finally, recommendations are made to strengthen and improve the efficiency of public resource use at the parish level.