The difference between citizen participation and community and social participation is that although the last two speak of a special type of interaction between society and the state, their objectives have a focus on the social level. In the case of citizen participation, this originates and unfolds at the social and state level.

The aim is to encourage new generations to participate each time, since the participation of citizens, whether social, political, community or citizen, is of utmost importance because in this way the type of society and coexistence that will exist among citizens is established. In addition to this, through participation, significant changes can be achieved in favor of all citizens.[6]​.

According to Abel Pérez Rojas, social participation is a "continuous training process through which people learn to solve their social problems and in turn progress in their own educational processes."[1].

The majority of the young population does not want to get involved in electoral participation because they do not believe that the institutions are trustworthy. Results of a study in the state of Mexico showed that around 60% of Mexican youth think that it is worth going to vote, while the remainder focused on the options "it is not worth going to vote" (25%), "it depends" (8.5%), with the remaining percentage being "don't know" and "did not answer".[7]

However, to promote a good exercise of citizen participation it is important to include the child population, because it fosters values ​​of coexistence and free dialogue in the environment where it takes place, promoting values ​​of equity, respect and tolerance in adult society. In this way, it becomes a habit that must be developed throughout our lives to contribute to social action. For example: In recent years Chile has encouraged child participation through participatory processes used as input for the design of the National Children's Policy[8]​.

Lately, state agencies form citizen councils for the administration or evaluation of public policies, made up of interested citizens and independent experts.

In contemporary democratic theory, citizen participation has the function of moderating or influencing the exercise of political power from the structure of the State through the expression of preferences and demands of the various sectors of society.[9]​[10]​.

The objective of citizen participation is to achieve a more democratic, inclusive and representative society of citizens. It is also important to ensure the participation of society to guarantee fair and effective processes of transparency and accountability. Disagreement with democratic decisions or processes can lead to a search for new forms of participation, which creates an environment that is more representative of society.[11]​.

Citizen participation is associated with mechanisms of direct democracy, for example bill initiative, referendum, plebiscite, public consultation, revocation of mandate,[12]​ as well as the integration of citizen councils in public organizations for the design or reorientation of public policies. Political participation, on the other hand, is related to the involvement of citizens in the formal structures of access and control of the positions of power of the State (political parties, elections, integration of the legislative power, contest for executive power). The fundamental difference between citizen participation and political participation is that the former seeks to influence public decision-making, while the latter seeks mechanisms for access to State control.

It is important to know a little more in depth about some of the mechanisms that are accepted by the law mentioned above.

Some authors consider that the conditions for citizen participation are:[14]​[15]​.

Citizen participation instruments contribute to democracy through the expected effects of:[12]​.

The participation of citizens in public decisions individually or collectively (e.g. through civil society organizations) cannot claim the legitimate representation of all the citizens of a political community, only "that of certain material, programmatic, or ideological interests of the participating actors, who can only appeal to a symbolic representation of causes or general interests when intervening in the public sphere."[16]​.

When institutional mechanisms are not found that allow the interaction between citizen demands and decision-making by the State, political actors can generate a legitimacy problem from the perspective of civil or citizen actors, since they do not have certainty or adequate channels in the interaction with the decision-making forms of formal political power.

It is very important to establish goals and values ​​for a group when carrying out citizen participation collectively. Otherwise, negative citizen participation would be exercised. If the group's values ​​are democratic, politically correct oriented, and tolerant of others then group members will learn democratically correct values ​​and become politically active as a benefit to the group. However, if the group adopts an undemocratic stance, putting politics aside and being intolerant towards other people, this group will probably be disengaged from the political system.[17]​.

Contenido

Los trámites participativos o las posibilidades de participar formalmente en los procesos de elaboración de normas dista entre unos países otros debido a su regulación específica:.

En España la Ley 50/1997, de 27 de noviembre, del Gobierno, prevé dos trámites de participación en la elaboración de disposiciones reglamentarias y de anteproyectos de ley. Por un lado, la consulta previa antes de la elaboración de un borrador de norma, y por otro lado, la audiencia e información pública, cuando ya existe un texto articulado. Ambos trámites se sustancian principalmente a través de las páginas web de los Ministerios responsables de la elaboración de cada norma. La evaluación de ambos trámites en el ámbito de la Administración General del Estado muestra que principalmente participan organizaciones y que los ciudadanos apenas utilizan estos trámites.[18]​.

En Argentina la elaboración participativa de normas es un mecanismo para que los interesados den sus opiniones y propuestas sobre proyectos de normas administrativas del Poder Ejecutivo Nacional y proyectos de ley que el Poder Ejecutivo Nacional quiere elevar al Congreso de la Nación, y tiene como finalidad lograr la participación de los ciudadanos en la elaboración de normas. Pueden participar todas las personas, empresas y asociaciones, públicas o privadas, que tengan un derecho o interés en el tema que debe decidirse, quienes se enteran de la apertura del procedimiento de elaboración participativa de normas a través del Boletín Oficial, de la página de internet de la autoridad que convoca o de la publicación en algún diario de circulación nacional o especializado en el tema.[2].

Las personas o empresas que quieran intervenir en el procedimiento de elaboración participativa de normas pueden consultar el expediente en el que deben estar incluidas las opiniones y propuestas que se hayan presentado, pueden sacar copias, se debe anotar en un Registro para la incorporación de opiniones y propuestas, tiene que presentar sus propuestas u opiniones por escrito y puede enviar comentarios informales a la casilla de correo electrónico que le indique la autoridad responsable.

Las opiniones de los participantes no son obligatorias para el organismo, pero deben estar en el expediente. Al finalizar el plazo para recibir opiniones y propuestas, la autoridad responsable debe dejar constancia en el expediente de la cantidad de opiniones y propuestas recibidas, debe decir cuáles opiniones incorporó al proyecto de norma y en los fundamentos de la norma se debe dejar constancia de la realización del procedimiento de elaboración participativa de normas.

Recent municipal digital participation in Spain

In recent years, various municipalities have incorporated digital tools and innovative participatory models to encourage citizen intervention in local decision-making.

For example, in Castellón, a participatory process called “Censal Parc” was launched in 2025, through which nearly 5,000 residents contributed proposals to design an urban park. The process combined digital surveys with in-person consultations in markets, schools and cultural associations, guaranteeing intergenerational inclusion and diversity of profiles.[19]​.

In Xàtiva (Valencian Community), the participatory budgeting process “Decideix This experience is resumed after seven years and shows the impact of electronic tools to strengthen citizen commitment.[20]​.

Likewise, the Government of Navarra in 2025 opened a total of 50 plans and strategies to citizen participation, through the digital platform “Participa Navarra”, also enabled for local entities. The process integrated training for public personnel and inclusive mechanisms for children and youth, consolidating participation as a pillar of regional open government.[21]​.

Also in the Community of Madrid, the Coslada City Council submitted a new municipal regulation for citizen participation to public consultation in July 2025, including the creation of open Neighborhood Assemblies. The draft was submitted to citizen consultation and had contributions from local associations, reflecting a more collaborative and contextualized approach.[22]​.

These examples show a growing trend in Spain towards digital and mixed mechanisms that combine in-person and online participation, reinforcing transparency, inclusion and co-responsibility in local public action.

The difference between citizen participation and community and social participation is that although the last two speak of a special type of interaction between society and the state, their objectives have a focus on the social level. In the case of citizen participation, this originates and unfolds at the social and state level.

The aim is to encourage new generations to participate each time, since the participation of citizens, whether social, political, community or citizen, is of utmost importance because in this way the type of society and coexistence that will exist among citizens is established. In addition to this, through participation, significant changes can be achieved in favor of all citizens.[6]​.

According to Abel Pérez Rojas, social participation is a "continuous training process through which people learn to solve their social problems and in turn progress in their own educational processes."[1].

The majority of the young population does not want to get involved in electoral participation because they do not believe that the institutions are trustworthy. Results of a study in the state of Mexico showed that around 60% of Mexican youth think that it is worth going to vote, while the remainder focused on the options "it is not worth going to vote" (25%), "it depends" (8.5%), with the remaining percentage being "don't know" and "did not answer".[7]

However, to promote a good exercise of citizen participation it is important to include the child population, because it fosters values ​​of coexistence and free dialogue in the environment where it takes place, promoting values ​​of equity, respect and tolerance in adult society. In this way, it becomes a habit that must be developed throughout our lives to contribute to social action. For example: In recent years Chile has encouraged child participation through participatory processes used as input for the design of the National Children's Policy[8]​.

Lately, state agencies form citizen councils for the administration or evaluation of public policies, made up of interested citizens and independent experts.

In contemporary democratic theory, citizen participation has the function of moderating or influencing the exercise of political power from the structure of the State through the expression of preferences and demands of the various sectors of society.[9]​[10]​.

The objective of citizen participation is to achieve a more democratic, inclusive and representative society of citizens. It is also important to ensure the participation of society to guarantee fair and effective processes of transparency and accountability. Disagreement with democratic decisions or processes can lead to a search for new forms of participation, which creates an environment that is more representative of society.[11]​.

Citizen participation is associated with mechanisms of direct democracy, for example bill initiative, referendum, plebiscite, public consultation, revocation of mandate,[12]​ as well as the integration of citizen councils in public organizations for the design or reorientation of public policies. Political participation, on the other hand, is related to the involvement of citizens in the formal structures of access and control of the positions of power of the State (political parties, elections, integration of the legislative power, contest for executive power). The fundamental difference between citizen participation and political participation is that the former seeks to influence public decision-making, while the latter seeks mechanisms for access to State control.

It is important to know a little more in depth about some of the mechanisms that are accepted by the law mentioned above.

Some authors consider that the conditions for citizen participation are:[14]​[15]​.

Citizen participation instruments contribute to democracy through the expected effects of:[12]​.

The participation of citizens in public decisions individually or collectively (e.g. through civil society organizations) cannot claim the legitimate representation of all the citizens of a political community, only "that of certain material, programmatic, or ideological interests of the participating actors, who can only appeal to a symbolic representation of causes or general interests when intervening in the public sphere."[16]​.

When institutional mechanisms are not found that allow the interaction between citizen demands and decision-making by the State, political actors can generate a legitimacy problem from the perspective of civil or citizen actors, since they do not have certainty or adequate channels in the interaction with the decision-making forms of formal political power.

It is very important to establish goals and values ​​for a group when carrying out citizen participation collectively. Otherwise, negative citizen participation would be exercised. If the group's values ​​are democratic, politically correct oriented, and tolerant of others then group members will learn democratically correct values ​​and become politically active as a benefit to the group. However, if the group adopts an undemocratic stance, putting politics aside and being intolerant towards other people, this group will probably be disengaged from the political system.[17]​.

Contenido

Los trámites participativos o las posibilidades de participar formalmente en los procesos de elaboración de normas dista entre unos países otros debido a su regulación específica:.

En España la Ley 50/1997, de 27 de noviembre, del Gobierno, prevé dos trámites de participación en la elaboración de disposiciones reglamentarias y de anteproyectos de ley. Por un lado, la consulta previa antes de la elaboración de un borrador de norma, y por otro lado, la audiencia e información pública, cuando ya existe un texto articulado. Ambos trámites se sustancian principalmente a través de las páginas web de los Ministerios responsables de la elaboración de cada norma. La evaluación de ambos trámites en el ámbito de la Administración General del Estado muestra que principalmente participan organizaciones y que los ciudadanos apenas utilizan estos trámites.[18]​.

En Argentina la elaboración participativa de normas es un mecanismo para que los interesados den sus opiniones y propuestas sobre proyectos de normas administrativas del Poder Ejecutivo Nacional y proyectos de ley que el Poder Ejecutivo Nacional quiere elevar al Congreso de la Nación, y tiene como finalidad lograr la participación de los ciudadanos en la elaboración de normas. Pueden participar todas las personas, empresas y asociaciones, públicas o privadas, que tengan un derecho o interés en el tema que debe decidirse, quienes se enteran de la apertura del procedimiento de elaboración participativa de normas a través del Boletín Oficial, de la página de internet de la autoridad que convoca o de la publicación en algún diario de circulación nacional o especializado en el tema.[2].

Las personas o empresas que quieran intervenir en el procedimiento de elaboración participativa de normas pueden consultar el expediente en el que deben estar incluidas las opiniones y propuestas que se hayan presentado, pueden sacar copias, se debe anotar en un Registro para la incorporación de opiniones y propuestas, tiene que presentar sus propuestas u opiniones por escrito y puede enviar comentarios informales a la casilla de correo electrónico que le indique la autoridad responsable.

Las opiniones de los participantes no son obligatorias para el organismo, pero deben estar en el expediente. Al finalizar el plazo para recibir opiniones y propuestas, la autoridad responsable debe dejar constancia en el expediente de la cantidad de opiniones y propuestas recibidas, debe decir cuáles opiniones incorporó al proyecto de norma y en los fundamentos de la norma se debe dejar constancia de la realización del procedimiento de elaboración participativa de normas.

Recent municipal digital participation in Spain

In recent years, various municipalities have incorporated digital tools and innovative participatory models to encourage citizen intervention in local decision-making.

For example, in Castellón, a participatory process called “Censal Parc” was launched in 2025, through which nearly 5,000 residents contributed proposals to design an urban park. The process combined digital surveys with in-person consultations in markets, schools and cultural associations, guaranteeing intergenerational inclusion and diversity of profiles.[19]​.

In Xàtiva (Valencian Community), the participatory budgeting process “Decideix This experience is resumed after seven years and shows the impact of electronic tools to strengthen citizen commitment.[20]​.

Likewise, the Government of Navarra in 2025 opened a total of 50 plans and strategies to citizen participation, through the digital platform “Participa Navarra”, also enabled for local entities. The process integrated training for public personnel and inclusive mechanisms for children and youth, consolidating participation as a pillar of regional open government.[21]​.

Also in the Community of Madrid, the Coslada City Council submitted a new municipal regulation for citizen participation to public consultation in July 2025, including the creation of open Neighborhood Assemblies. The draft was submitted to citizen consultation and had contributions from local associations, reflecting a more collaborative and contextualized approach.[22]​.

These examples show a growing trend in Spain towards digital and mixed mechanisms that combine in-person and online participation, reinforcing transparency, inclusion and co-responsibility in local public action.