@article{76cd4e34eb8a4db1806781d20879e630,
title = "Evaluation of environmental actions by local citizens–a choice modeling application",
abstract = "Little is known about citizens{\textquoteright} judgment of nature conservation actions financed by public funds. The present work contributes to this topic with empirical evidence coming from a Choice Modeling (CM) study designed in an innovative mode. Using the participatory budget format, a CM exercise elicited respondents{\textquoteright} choice between the allocation of public funds for nature conservation actions versus other actions (e.g. social or economic interventions). The case study comprises an EU-LIFE project managed by a Portuguese municipality. Results highlight the importance of awareness of and accessibility to environmental goods, as those that are more willing to pay use the area for leisure activities and have a greater knowledge about it. In addition, we suggest that CM can be used as a tool to uncover citizens{\textquoteright} preferences regarding public budget allocation which can contribute to a democratization of decision making at this level.",
keywords = "choice modeling, EU-LIFE program, nature conservation, public budget allocation, public policy",
author = "Guimar{\~a}es, {Ma Helena} and Nunes, {Luis Catela} and Ana Rodrigues and L{\'i}via Madureira and Tomaz Dentinho",
note = "Funding Information: The case study consists of one project funded by the EU-LIFE program developed and managed by a Portuguese municipality. To the best of our knowledge, no previous study has attempted to assess citizens{\textquoteright} evaluation of the actions planned within a project funded by this program. Although the EU-LIFE program contemplates a strong interaction with citizens through dissemination activities, the actions to be funded are part of a project proposal submitted for approval by the coordinating beneficiary (Lehmann et al. ). There is no direct influence of citizens on the design and prioritization of the actions included in each project. Therefore, one could ask whether citizens{\textquoteright} preferences are in accordance with such allocations of public funds. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2021 Newcastle University.",
year = "2023",
doi = "10.1080/09640568.2021.2002276",
language = "English",
volume = "66",
pages = "698--714",
journal = "Journal of Environmental Planning and Management",
issn = "0964-0568",
publisher = "Taylor & Francis",
number = "4",
}
