Paper/Speech Details of Conference Program for the 29th NISPAcee Annual Conference Program Overview WG1/WG5 Joint Session (Physical) Author(s) Elżbieta Szulc-Wałecka Maria Curie-Sklodowska University Lublin Poland no Title Citizen Participation and Engagement in Participatory Governance - Perspective of Polish Local Officials in Selected Municipalities of the Lubelskie Region File Paper files are available only for conference participants, please login first. Presenter Elżbieta Szulc-Wałecka Abstract In the last few decades we have noticed transformation of local representative democracy from government to governance. The governance-type reforms influence on the fact that many European countries and local governments as well, find a new solution to improve the governing process and it’s institutions. In this context, it has become very popular, to involve citizens in the decison making process, and hence, the emergence of new civic engagement tools, that offer citizens a real impact on the decision-making process. As a result, participatory governance has received renewed attention and become one of the trend. This current of governance gives particular attention to active participation of citizens in the decision-making process. Poland is among the states where the above-mentioned process - implementing participative democracy tools - are visible.The aim of the article is to present the perspective of councilors and city mayors regarding the ideas and forms of civic participation and determine the degree of their influence on the decision making process. Based on quantitative and qualitative research, the article examines the role of the local representative bodies (mayors and councilors) in the governing process. The article based on the empirical data gathered in selected municipalities one of the polish self-government called region. The result of the research confirm that polish local officials had positive approach towards increasing citizens involving in the decision-making process. However, voting in local elections is still consider as a key instrument of civic engagement in Poland. Most of polish local officials claimed that the forms of citizens participation in their cities are sufficient, while at the same time they postulate to improve their operation.
