The text addresses the complex constitutional and political system of Bosnia and Herzegovina, highlighting its fragility and the challenges in achieving consensus and stability. It analyses the importance of citizen participation in local self-government as a means of strengthening democracy and trust, with a focus on relevant international and domestic legal frameworks. It identifies different forms of citizen participation, from institutional to non-institutional, and highlights the role of participatory budgeting as a way for citizens to influence public fund allocation directly. The problem of corruption and the lack of transparency and accountability in public administration is recognized as a significant obstacle, with examples of attempts at reform and whistleblower protection. Despite the ethnocratic model’s complexity and dominance, initiatives and tools aim to increase citizen involvement and reform public administration.