Gobernanza Participativa y Presupuestos Democráticos: Análisis Crítico del Modelo de Gestión Municipal en Cotacachi, Ecuador (2015-2020)

Abstract

This article analyzes the implementation of participatory budgeting as a democratic governance mechanism in the Decentralized Autonomous Municipal Government of Santa Ana de Cotacachi, Ecuador, during 2015-2020. Through a mixed methodological approach combining systematic documentary analysis of 147 official documents, 42 semi-structured interviews, participant observation in 12 deliberative sessions, and statistical analysis of management indicators, the institutionalization of the Cantonal Participation System and its multidimensional impact on local public management is examined. Results show that normative formalization through the 2016 Ordinance consolidated a two-decade participatory process, achieving mobilization of 8,347 unique citizens (21.3% of adult population) and execution of 312 priority projects with investment exceeding USD 8.4 million. Econometric analysis reveals significant correlation (r=0.76, p<0.001) between national transfers and participatory resources, evidencing structural fiscal vulnerability. Three critical success factors are identified: multilevel institutional articulation, accumulated social capital (186 active organizations), and contextualized methodological adaptation. However, structural challenges persist related to fiscal dependency (68% of revenue from transfers), power asymmetries in participation (73% male overrepresentation in leadership), and tensions between economic development and environmental sustainability. Comparative analysis with 15 Latin American experiences positions Cotacachi as a paradigmatic case of institutional innovation, albeit with scalability limitations. The study concludes that the model represents a significant contribution to democratization of subnational public management, requiring structural reforms in fiscal architecture and inclusion mechanisms to ensure sustainability.