The Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development (VARAM) received the Celmlauzis Award for creating a participatory budgeting platform – an innovative solution that gives residents the opportunity to have a real impact on the development of their local government.
The Celmlauzis award is given to institutions for courage and innovation in public administration. This year, it was awarded in three categories: Process, Precedent, and Practice. In the "Practice" category, which evaluates solutions that have already been implemented and are sustainably maintained, the VARAM participatory budgeting platform was recognized as one of the four best initiatives in Latvia.
A digital platform that gives citizens a voice
The participatory budgeting platform allows every citizen to participate in the development of their community by submitting ideas and voting on projects that improve life in their municipality.
It is part of the broader vision of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development to create modern, open, and transparent governance, where society is an active decision-maker, not just an observer.
The platform is available on the GeoLatvija.lv website under the section "Participatory Budget". There, residents can propose projects such as the creation of children's playgrounds, the construction of bicycle paths, the improvement of public spaces, and other significant initiatives. If a project receives enough votes, the local government will implement it in real life.
An innovation that inspires other municipalities
The platform was developed and implemented as part of a project by the Recovery Fund. It is currently being used by several Latvian municipalities, and interest in the solution continues to grow.
Ilze Oša, Deputy State Secretary at the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development, emphasizes that this is one of the most important steps in strengthening public participation, as it combines digital accessibility with democratic decision-making.
During the conference, upon receiving the award, the ministry team shared their experience in developing and implementing the platform and the results it has achieved in helping local governments get closer to their residents.
"We are truly proud that this platform allows people to feel that their opinions matter. It is a step towards more open, modern and engaging governance," emphasizes I. Oša.
https://www.geolatvija.lv
