Technology and Participatory Budget:

Opportunities and challenges for Latin America

Abstract

This research work analyzes the importance of the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in Participatory Budgeting (PB) processes to promote forms of direct participation of citizens in establishing priorities in public investment. The methodology used was descriptive documentary research, followed by a discussion on the possible uses of ICTs in developing countries and their implementation challenges. The results show that ICTs provide opportunities to increase citizen participation and improve trust in public institutions, through an improvement in monitoring processes. However, ICTs can accentuate inequalities in citizen participation, and virtual debate and deliberation processes do not always encourage participatory debate.