Digital Citizen Participation and Sustainable Development Goals in Ecuadorian Municipalities: An Integrative Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56294/saludcyt20251574Keywords:
digital citizen participation, SDGs, municipalities, digital divide, bibliometricsAbstract
Digital citizen participation has emerged over the past decade as an essential component of local governance, particularly within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In Ecuador, municipalities have progressively incorporated digital technologies with the aim of promoting public consultation processes that are more transparent, inclusive, and efficient. The objective of this study was to analyse, through a systematic review and a bibliometric assessment, the impact of digital citizen participation in Ecuadorian municipalities and its relationship with the fulfilment of the SDGs. The search was conducted in the Scopus database, covering publications from 2015 to 2025. Out of a total of 176 identified documents, 26 met the inclusion criteria established in accordance with the PRISMA protocol. The PICo model was applied to structure the research question, and the Bibliometrix software in R was used to generate thematic maps, collaboration networks, factorial analyses, and co-occurrence structures. The results show a significant increase in scientific production related to digital participation, with a particular focus on governmental transparency, territorial planning, and civic engagement. However, limitations persist, including digital divides, low technological literacy, structural inequalities, and the absence of integrated public policies. The findings indicate that digital citizen participation contributes positively to SDGs 11 and 16, especially in relation to access to public information and institutional strengthening. Nevertheless, its effectiveness depends on factors such as technological infrastructure, political will, the inclusion of vulnerable groups, and citizens’ digital competencies. It is concluded that Ecuadorian municipalities require strategies focused on digital equity, technological interoperability, and the promotion of a participatory culture that enables more inclusive and sustainable governance.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Francisco Marcelo Alvarado Porras, Marlon Geovanny Salazar Torres, Vanessa Scarlet Navarro Moreira (Author)
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