Kinek a hangja? Közéleti részvétel, bizalom, hozzáférés, hatékonyságérzet. Kutatási beszámoló, 2026.

This report presents an independent online survey (n = 36) of members of two NGOs in two Hungarian settlements on public participation, trust in decision-making and expectations of participatory methods. The sample is small, self-selected and unrepresentative, so the findings indicate directions only. Respondents feel informed and active but see little consequence of their involvement. They believe that voting matters but that voice between elections does not. Trust is highest towards NGOs and experts and lowest towards elected representatives and parties. They want a say and feedback from authorities, but prefer prepared, filtered forms of participation to equal participation for everyone. Two thirds see a randomly selected citizens’ council as a possible alternative to elected representatives, yet hardly any would serve on one. The results point to a weakness of representation and to stratified access to democracy. Keywords: public participation; political efficacy; trust; democratic access; sortition; local governance; Hungary About the author Judit Mihalik is a social researcher and communication specialist. Her website: www.mihalikjudit.net