Public Trust in Government: The General Vector of Russian and International Initiatives

Abstract

Alongside improvements in territorial development management, the need for effective mechanisms of interaction between citizens and public authorities is growing. Such mechanisms can improve the quality of management decisions and strengthen public trust in territorial governance. Competitions for community-led projects, which address local issues based on residents’ interests and with their direct participation, represent one such mechanism. The article systematizes Russian and international practices of citizen participation in local decision-making, focusing on their potential to strengthen public trust and improve territorial development mechanisms. It considers increased public trust in government as a common objective of citizen engagement initiatives in Russia and other countries. An analysis of international practices identifies three broad models of citizen participation: European, American, and Asian. The study assesses these practices and identifies tools that could be adapted to other contexts to support civic initiatives. The article also examines the development of the Russian legislative framework for public participation in decision-making and conducts a SWOT analysis of competitions for community-led projects implemented in Russia. The findings highlight the importance of developing effective mechanisms for citizen participation in territorial governance, particularly as a means of strengthening long-term public trust. The results can support public authorities in developing measures to enhance citizen participation and trust in territorial governance.