Geochang-gun Operates Resident Budget School to Realize Fiscal Democracy

Enhancing Understanding of Resident Participatory Budgeting Through Case-Based and Practical Workshops

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Soon-kyung] Geochang-gun, Gyeongnam announced on the 27th that it will operate a Resident Budget School to expand awareness of the resident participatory budgeting system.

The resident participatory budgeting system is designed to realize grassroots democracy by involving residents in the entire process from budget formulation to settlement. This year, the county is operating its own budget school for the first time to enhance understanding of the system, strengthen residents' capabilities, and activate participation.

The education is being conducted with a minimal number of participants considering the COVID-19 situation, and is focused on case studies and practical training, including understanding the resident participatory budgeting system, discovering and selecting local agendas, and jointly creating proposed projects.

The county held budget schools on the 21st for the Geochang-eup area, on the 23rd for the Jusang, Ungyang, and Goje areas, and on the 27th for the Mari, Wicheon, and Buksang areas. It plans to hold budget schools on the 30th at Eoullim Village in Namsang-myeon for the Namsang, Namha, and Sinwon areas, and on the 4th of next month for the Gajo and Gabuk areas.

Gu In-mo, the mayor of Geochang-gun, said, “I hope that interest and participation in the resident participatory budgeting system will be further activated through the budget school,” and added, “I expect that the new ideas and creative ideas of the residents will transform Geochang and bring more opportunities.”