How to increase citizens' involvement in public participation using blockchain technologies?

Abstract

Public participation plays a crucial role in democratic governance, as it allows citizens to contribute their opinions and influence decision-making. However, traditional methods of public participation often face challenges such as lack of transparency, limited accessibility, and low citizen engagement. This master thesis explores the potential of blockchain technologies to increase citizens' involvement in public participation processes. The thesis employs a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative research methods to provide a comprehensive understanding of the topic. Through multiple interviews and surveys, it analyses the current pain points of the public participation methods and finds the missing pieces of the blockchain technology that still has to be developed. The research presents multiple future research areas for further development, providing starting points and ideas that could be further evaluated.