Abstract

ESPICHAN ESPINOZA, Zaida Liliana; MAYOR GAMERO, Juan Guillermo; ILLESCAS ARAUJO, María del Socorro  and  MARTINEZ ROJAS, Fanny Janet. Citizen participation and public value creation in Latin American local governments: A systematic review. Revista InveCom [online]. 2026, vol.6, n.3, e603100.  Epub Dec 15, 2025. ISSN 2739-0063.  https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17677719.

This systematic review examines how citizen participation contributes to the creation of public value in local governments in Latin America between 2023 and 2025. Following the PRISMA 2020 protocol and the PEO framework (Population: Latin American local governments; Exposure: participation mechanisms; Outcomes: dimensions of public value), 342 records were initially identified in academic databases such as SciELO and Scopus, of which 21 studies were selected for analysis and discussion. The results show that mechanisms such as participatory budgeting and sectoral or territorial councils strengthen the effectiveness and legitimacy of local governance, promoting territorial equity when spatial and prioritization criteria are incorporated. Although digital participation expands these possibilities, its hybrid design is crucial to avoid exclusions and biases. However, systemic barriers persist, such as regulatory misalignment, capacity deficits, representation gaps, and a lack of clarity in agendas and timelines. In conclusion, citizen participation can generate public value if mechanisms are designed to address its multiple dimensions, drawing on best governance practices in Latin America to foster effective co-production and establish feedback processes that benefit citizen well-being.

Keywords : citizen participation; public value; IAP2; Arnstein ladder.

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