Enhancing Public Participation in Government Projects

In today’s increasingly interconnected world, fostering meaningful public participation in government projects is more crucial than ever. This presentation will explore innovative strategies and practical approaches to engage citizens effectively in the planning, execution, and evaluation of government initiatives.

We will begin by examining the current landscape of public participation, highlighting both its successes and challenges. Through real-world case studies and examples, we’ll identify key factors that contribute to successful public involvement and discuss common pitfalls to avoid.

1. Enhancing Public
Participation in
Government Projects
PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF A RESORT IN THE BOZZHYRA TRACT
Merekenov Sanzhar
Amirkulova Kamilla
Chsherba Kamilla
Kadyrbayeva Madina

2. Agenda
Introduction
Key Stakeholders
Analyzing the Case
Presentation and Reception of
Stakeholder Opinions
Consideration of Public Opinion
Impact of Public Hearings
Recommendations for Improvement
Key Shortcomings in Public
Engagement
1.
3.
2.
5.
4.
8.
7.
6.

3. are formal meetings or gatherings
where members of the public are
invited to express their opinions,
provide feedback, or raise concerns
about a particular issue or proposal.
Public hearings
Importance?
They promote
transparency by
allowing stakeholders
and the general public to
witness the decision-
making process
firsthand.
Public hearings provide
a platform for diverse
voices and perspectives
to be heard, ensuring
that decisions consider a
wide range of
viewpoints.
Holding public hearings
holds decision-makers
accountable to the public,
as they must justify their
decisions and respond to
feedback and concerns
raised during the hearing.
Transparency
Inclusivity
Accountability

4. The purpose of the
public hearings is to
discuss projects, the
implementation of
which may directly
affect the environment
and the health of
citizens, as well as
action plans for
environmental
protection.
Purpose and Form of Public Hearings:
Purpose
The form of
public hearings
1. Public announcement of the hearings and the
place, dates and time of their holding.
2. Presentation of the hotel construction project,
its plans, sketches and characteristics.
3. Open discussion of the project, possible
problems and potential risks.
4. The opportunity for citizens to express their
opinions, suggestions and comments about the
project.
5. Collecting and analyzing feedback from
participants in the hearings.
6. Publication of a report on the results of public
hearings and taking into account the opinion of
the public when making a final decision.

5. The purpose of the public hearings on the construction of a
hotel in Bozzhira:
It is to integrate the opinions and suggestions of citizens, as
well as interested parties, into the process of developing and
deciding on this construction project.
Public hearings are aimed at taking into account the interests
of the population, discussing possible problems and finding
optimal solutions taking into account public opinion.

6. Public hearings on the hotel project in the Bozzhira
tract are scheduled for February 5, 2021, 15:00 Aktau
time.
The hearings will be held online on the Zoom platform
Login: 979 9919 9294
Password: 538181
In case of quarantine cancellation, the hearings will be
held at the address: Mangystau region, Karakiyansky
district, Kuryk village, Central House of Culture.
participated: 100 people
The form of public hearing

7. Investors who launched the Rixos hotel in Mangistau
proposed to realize a unique boutique hotel project
"Bozzhyra Safari Hotel" on the territory of the region.
Investors presented this object as fully complying with the
requirements of "green" technologies, which will fit into the
surrounding landscape as much as possible, the buildings
will be single-storey, the external appearance will not be
dissonant with the local landscapes. However, despite all the
arguments and plans for the development of tourism did
not incline environmentalists and citizens who continued to
fight for the closure of this project. And in fact, we can see
that the investors tried to resist all the facts to continue the
construction of the resort in such a favorable geographical
location, but nevertheless, in the end, under public pressure,
the investor abandoned the scandalous project.
Investors and its impact on
decision making process

8. Stakeholders’ Perspective:
Ministry of Ecology's Perspective
Concerns Raised by
Environmentalists and Public
Ministry emphasizes preserving natural
resources and protecting the environment.
Any development in Bozzhyra area must
undergo public hearings and environmental
assessments.
Development proposed is for residential
centers, not a hotel.
Compliance with environmental regulations is
required.
Local executive bodies are responsible for
project oversight.
Public hearings did not adhere to Aarhus
Convention standards.
Lack of consideration for alternatives, water
supply, drainage, waste management.
Impact on natural and archaeological
monuments, wildlife, and the socio-economic
sphere.
Construction will disrupt the natural landscape,
endanger flora and fauna.
Potential impact on the UNESCO protected
status of the area.

9. Presentation and Reception of Stakeholder Opinions:
Stakeholders:
Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Natural
Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Akimat of Mangistau Region (regional
government)
Public (including environmentalists)
Investor

10. Resolutions and Actions Taken
Regional akimat acknowledges public concerns
about the hotel
Investor decides to relocate the project outside
the reserve
Environmental preservation is emphasized in this
context
Comprehensive Environmental Impact
Assessment is demanded
Transparent and inclusive public hearings are
required in this case

11. The opinions of the general population
Is another national park being
built up without an EIA and
public hearings? This time we
got the unique wild landscapes
of Mangystau, the whole value
of which was precisely in their
desolation and untouchability.
Does the Minister of Ecology still believe that his
opinion on the need for an EIA is more important
than the requirements of the law?
Pavel Khudyakov
ORGANIZER OF ECO-TOURS IN THE MANGYSTAU REGION
With the opening of Rixos, about 54 thousand
tourists visited the Mangystau region. Resting by
the sea, they also visited the Bozzhyra tract, and
we must understand that this flow will grow year
after year, so our task is to be ready to receive
tourists. And for this, appropriate tourist
facilities are needed. Without appropriate
conditions for the development of tourism, great
harm will be done to nature, so we need to
prepare those places that we can show to tourists
so that there are appropriate conditions.
Kirill Osin
ECOLOGIST

12. SOME MORE OPINIONS
On November 17, the intelligentsia of Kazakhstan wrote a letter addressed to the President of the country Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and the
head of the Mangystau region Serikbai Trumov.
The text of the letter is in Kazakh. Brief suggestions in the letter:
1.To assign the status of a "State monument of nature" of local significance to the objects of Zhylygan and
Tamshaly.
2.Allocate a plot of land necessary for the project for an observation and entertainment area and reduce it to
four hectares.
3.Appoint a person responsible for the system of removal, cleaning, disinfection, and transportation of garbage
from the territory of Bozzhira.
4.New facilities should be located in such settlements as Kyzylsai, Senek, Bostan.

13. The next day, November 18, Berik Wali
published a new post with explanations.
"The Head of State instructed the government
to review the hotel construction project, but
this does not mean the cancellation of the
project. We are talking about the selection of
a new location for the construction of a hotel,
taking into account the agreed opinion of
public councils, environmental experts and
government departments," Berik Wali wrote.
This means that the opinions and interests of
both sides have been taken into account.
Which means that each side has won, and won
back its own.
Mini conclusion:

14. Impact of
Public
Hearings
link to the video:
https://rus.azattyq.org/a/kazakhstan-
mangistau-region-public-hearings-on-
construction-in-bozzhyra-
020820221/31092260.html

15. Results of hearing:
Therefore, at the suggestion of
local residents, scientists and
public figures, the construction
of the facility will be moved
outside the territory of the
Zhabayushkan reserve.
Representatives of the investor
company, for their part,
confirmed their readiness to
review the site for the
implementation of the project
and choose another place outside
the reserve," Magzum
Mirzagaliyev wrote on Twitter.
https://www.kt.kz/rus/ecology/_
1377908963.html
Results of the public participation
process

16. Effectiveness of the public hearings
Situations from the public hearing
THE PROJECT IS NOT READY, BUT YOU APPROVE
A queue is forming for the microphone, which is held by a guy in a
formal suit. The "owner of the microphone" walks along the row where
veterans and deputies are sitting, and does not seem to notice the
activists who also want to ask questions.
Activists with posters ask the person who brings the microphone. He's
heading in their direction. "Bermender olarga!" ("Don't give them!")
— a man's voice sounds from the rows where the members of the public
council are sitting.
At six o'clock in the evening, the activists again ask for a microphone.
They are again denied and the hearings are declared over. Those who
connected online via the Zoom platform were also unable to ask their
questions. The organizers said they would respond to the comments
within seven days.

17. However, in order for
public hearings to be
truly effective, it is
necessary to ensure the
availability of
information about the
project, conduct a
constructive dialogue
between various
parties, and take into
account suggestions
and comments from the
public when further
developing the project.
Effectiveness of the public hearings
Opinions
They are an important
tool for making
informed decisions and
taking into account
public opinion. Public
hearings allow
residents of the local
community to express
their concerns,
suggestions and doubts
about the construction
of a hotel in a
particular area.
Public hearings
promote
transparency in
decision-making,
increase the level of
citizen engagement
in the decision-
making process and
help to take into
account different
points of view and
interests.
As for the hearings on the Bozzhyra hotel, the rights of the public were violated
during the hearings, and all questions were not asked, but despite this, the opinions
of the public were assisted in making a decision in their favor.

18. Implications of public participation:
Improved
relationships
Changes
in the
project
Public
innovation

19. Shortcomings of Public Hearings
During the hearings, according to Svetlana Mohyliuk, not all
participants had the opportunity to ask questions, express
opinions and comments. There were also a number of
procedural violations stipulated by the rules.

20. 1. The principle of alternativeness
stipulated by the instructions for
conducting Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA) was not observed.
2. The water balance of the future
object is not given. It is not clearly
shown how water supply will be
organized. The specified demand of 191
cubic meters per day is 69,715 cubic
meters per year. Where will this water
come from?
Lack of transparency and
limited access to information
3. The assessment is for the construction period only, no operational impact assessment is
provided.

21. Recommendations
for Improved
Public
Participation in
Bozzhyra Tract
Development

22. Recommendations:
Transparency and Accessibility
Early and Clear Communication
Detailed Project Information
Multiple Channels for Information Sharing
Meaningful Public Hearings
Early and Clear Communication
Detailed Project Information
Multiple Channels for Information Sharing

23. Recommendations:
Consider Alternatives
Comprehensive Water Management Plan
Detailed Waste Management Strategy
Impact on Wildlife Assessment
Engage Early with Stakeholders
Transparency in Decision-Making
Long-Term Sustainability Focus
Strengthen EIA
Increased Public Trust

24. Recommendations:
Online platforms for public engagement
should be considered. This step is allowing
wider participation for those unable to
attend physical meetings.
Utilizing Technology for Participation

25. References:
https://www.lada.kz/aktau_news/society/88051-ey-vy-tam-naverhu-ekolog-zayavila-o-
narusheniyah-na-slushaniyah-po-stroitelstvu-v-urochische-bozzhyra.html
https://tengrinews.kz/kazakhstan_news/investor-otkazalsya-stroitelstva-skandalnogo-otelya-
466316/
https://dknews.kz/ru/v-strane/134731-obshchestvennye-slushaniya-po-stroitelstvu-otelya-v
link to the video:
https://rus.azattyq.org/a/kazakhstan-mangistau-region-public-hearings-on-
construction-in-bozzhyra-020820221/31092260.html

26. Thank you!