Abstract:

The study examines the influence of community engagement on decision-making processes within the Rose Hall Town Municipality and the Kilcoy-Hampshire Neighbourhood Democratic Council in Guyana. Utilizing a quantitative descriptive design, data was collected from a stratified random sample across six villages and two wards in the municipality. A structured questionnaire measured residents' perceptions of transparency, accountability, communication, and inclusiveness in local governance. The findings revealed a strong support for participatory governance, with high levels of agreement on the importance of citizen involvement in planning and policy development. Socioeconomic factors and institutional limitations also emerged as barriers to inclusive engagement. The study concluded that while mechanisms for community participation are present, their effectiveness can be enhanced through structured advisory bodies, improved feedback loops, and more inclusive practices. These findings underscore the need for deeper institutional commitment to participatory governance in fostering democratic legitimacy and sustainable development at the local level.

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