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Perceived barriers to engagement in municipal governance
Youth engagement in municipal governance faces several significant barriers that limit active participation. One of the most prominent challenges is the lack of awareness and information, as many young people are unaware of the programmes, policies, and mechanisms available for their involvement. This communication gap often leaves youth disconnected from opportunities to contribute meaningfully to local governance. Furthermore, distrust of municipal systems is a pervasive issue, driven by perceptions of corruption, inefficiency, and a lack of transparency in decision-making processes. Such negative views discourage young people from engaging, as they feel their contributions may not lead to meaningful outcomes.
Another critical barrier is the complex bureaucratic pro- cesses within municipalities, which can be intimidating and confusing, especially for youth with limited experience nav- igating formal governance structures. This complexity often results in disengagement, as participation appears overly complicated or inaccessible. Lastly, limited digital access and literacy further hinder participation. Unequal access to smartphones, internet connectivity, and the technical skills required to utilise digital platforms exclude a significant portion of youth from engaging through modern participa- tory tools, such as municipal apps. These barriers highlight the systemic challenges that need to be addressed to en- hance youth participation in municipal matters. The follow- ing insights from participants support the notion above:
“I don’t even know what programmes are available for youth in my community, let alone how to get involved.” Participant 28
“Why should I bother participating when nothing ever changes? It all feels corrupt.” Participant 76
“The process to engage with the municipality is too complicated. I don’t know where to start.” Participant 89
Incentives and opportunities for youth engagement
In exploring incentives and opportunities for youth engagement, participants consistently highlighted the
importance of recognition and rewards as motivators for participation. Many indicated that receiving tangible re- wards, such as certificates, internships, or public acknowl- edgement, would encourage them to engage more ac- tively with municipal affairs. Additionally, participants saw municipal participation as a valuable opportunity for skill development, with many expressing interest in learning leadership, communication, and civic skills through involve- ment. This suggests that the potential for personal growth plays a significant role in motivating youth. Moreover, the opportunity to contribute to platforms for social impact was also mentioned as a strong incentive. Youth were par- ticularly motivated by the idea of working on municipal projects that address local community challenges. Finally, participants pointed out the effectiveness of youth-specific engagement strategies, such as youth councils or targeted forums, which cater specifically to their interests and needs, making the experience more relevant and accessible. The thematic analysis of these responses underscores the im- portance of both intrinsic and extrinsic motivators in fos- tering greater youth involvement in municipal governance. The following quotes support the above-mentioned fac- tors in promoting youth participation in municipal matters:
“When young people see their efforts acknowl- edged through certificates or public recognition, it motivates them to keep participating. These small rewards make a big difference in how they perceive their involvement.” Participant 145
“Participating in municipal governance allows me to develop leadership and communication skills that are crucial for my future career. It’s more than just helping my community; it’s about learning valuable skills.” Participant 54
user-centric design and inclusivity
The third overarching theme, ‘User-centric design and inclusivity’, includes three essential sub-themes that emphasise crucial features to consider when designing the My Munici-Pal app. These features are key to creating an app that attracts its intended target audience – youth – effectively. A summary of these sub-themes and their associated codes can be found in Table 4.
table 4: Summary of the sub-themes and codes of the overarching theme ‘user-centric design and inclusivity’
theme
youth-focused interface and features
Gamification
Interactive design
Language and cultural sensitivity
Multilingual support
Cultural relevance
feedback and co-creation mechanisms
User input channels
App customisation based on feedback
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