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  <front>
    <journal-meta />
    <article-meta>
      <title-group>
        <article-title>A Supply-Side Perspective on E-Participation and Digital Exclusion in Local Governments: A Thematic Analysis of Municipalities in Ankara, Türkiye⋆</article-title>
      </title-group>
      <contrib-group>
        <contrib contrib-type="author">
          <string-name>Niyazi Karabulut</string-name>
          <email>karabulutnyz@gmail.com</email>
          <xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1">1</xref>
        </contrib>
        <contrib contrib-type="author">
          <string-name>Nilay Yavuz</string-name>
          <email>nyavuz@metu.edu.tr</email>
          <xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff0">0</xref>
        </contrib>
        <aff id="aff0">
          <label>0</label>
          <institution>Middle East Technical University</institution>
          ,
          <addr-line>Ankara</addr-line>
          ,
          <country country="TR">Türkiye</country>
        </aff>
        <aff id="aff1">
          <label>1</label>
          <institution>Necmettin Erbakan University</institution>
          ,
          <addr-line>Konya</addr-line>
          ,
          <country country="TR">Türkiye</country>
        </aff>
      </contrib-group>
      <pub-date>
        <year>2025</year>
      </pub-date>
      <abstract>
        <p>This study examines digital exclusion and e-participation in municipalities in Ankara, Türkiye from a supply-side perspective. Its primary research question asks how municipalities define, perceive, and respond to digital exclusion in relation to e-participation. Using qualitative methods, the research involved semi-structured interviews with IT department representatives from one metropolitan and nine district municipalities in Ankara Türkiye. The interview data were analyzed using thematic analysis with MAXQDA software, identifying key themes such as e-participation tools, e-participation levels, digital exclusion, and the impact of the COVID-19 crisis. Preliminary findings reveal that although municipalities have expanded digital services via websites, social media, and mobile applications, these initiatives predominantly target citizens who are already digitally included. As a result, disadvantaged groups, such as the elderly, low-income individuals, and rural residents, are mostly confined to basic levels of einformation and e-consultation, with minimal opportunities for active engagement or e-empowerment. The study concludes that more holistic strategies, including digital engagement programs and targeted outreach, are necessary to bridge the digital divide and enhance inclusive e-participation.</p>
      </abstract>
      <kwd-group>
        <kwd>eol&gt;E-participation</kwd>
        <kwd>digital exclusion</kwd>
        <kwd>local governments</kwd>
        <kwd>Türkiye</kwd>
        <kwd>1</kwd>
      </kwd-group>
    </article-meta>
  </front>
  <body>
    <sec id="sec-1">
      <title>1. Introduction</title>
      <p>
        E-participation is a mechanism that refers to the use of information and communication technologies
(ICTs) to facilitate citizen participation in decision-making processes [
        <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref8">8</xref>
        ][
        <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref9">9</xref>
        ]. Digital citizen
engagement helps broaden participation processes to larger groups and has the potential to make
them more inclusive [
        <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref2">2</xref>
        ]. Municipalities are the most direct administrative units that serve citizens;
thus, they aim to encourage citizen engagement through the use of digital tools such as websites,
mobile applications, and social media [
        <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref1">1</xref>
        ][
        <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref6">6</xref>
        ][
        <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref7">7</xref>
        ].
      </p>
      <p>
        On the other hand, digital exclusion remains a significant barrier to e-participation in
municipalities, especially for the elderly, low-income groups, and individuals with limited access to
technology [
        <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref3">3</xref>
        ][
        <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref4">4</xref>
        ][
        <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref10">10</xref>
        ]. Digital exclusion is not only related to internet access but also to individuals'
digital skills, usage habits, and motivations [
        <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref5">5</xref>
        ]. The exclusion of groups with limited skills or access
to technology poses a significant challenge for municipalities especially in developing countries, for
setting up their digital services and addressing inequality in public participation processes.
Municipalities are responsible for developing technical infrastructure, promoting digital literacy, and
improving access to online services to minimize the problem of digital exclusion. Therefore,
analyzing digital exclusion from a supply-side perspective is essential for understanding
municipalities' capacities to provide more inclusive services to citizens.
      </p>
      <p>
        Despite Türkiye being a rapidly advancing country in the digitalization process as an example of
a developing country, digital exclusion poses a significant threat to ensuring citizen participation
[
        <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref4">4</xref>
        ][
        <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref11">11</xref>
        ][20]. Particularly, the regional disparities in digital literacy rates in Türkiye make it
challenging for individuals with lower educational levels to participate in local e-participation
processes [
        <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref12">12</xref>
        ]. Although efforts are being made at the municipal level to increase digital participation
opportunities, more research is needed to assess the inclusiveness and effectiveness of these services
[
        <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref4">4</xref>
        ].
      </p>
      <p>Therefore, this research seeks to understand how municipalities in Türkiye define and perceive
digital exclusion, how they shape their e-participation processes accordingly, and how they manage
the challenges they encounter in these processes. Particularly, it aims to answer the following
research questions:</p>
      <p>RQ1: How do the municipalities in Türkiye perceive digital exclusion issue in relation to
eparticipation?</p>
      <p>RQ2: How do they address this relationship in their strategies?</p>
      <p>In this context, interviews were conducted with the units responsible for the digital service
provision of 10 municipalities in Ankara, Türkiye. Through these interviews, a supply-side analysis
was provided to explore municipalities' motivations for offering e-participation opportunities, their
approaches to the digital divide issue, and their efforts to overcome digital exclusion in this context.</p>
      <p>The paper is organized as follows. It first discusses the study context and then reviews the relevant
literature. Next, it describes the research methodology and finally presents the preliminary findings
and future directions.</p>
    </sec>
    <sec id="sec-2">
      <title>2. Study Context</title>
      <p>
        Ankara, as the capital of Türkiye and the second-largest city, presents a significant sample for
examining e-participation processes. The city has a structure that includes citizens from various
socio-economic backgrounds, encompassing both urban and rural characteristics. The municipalities
in Ankara represent a large portion of local governments across Türkiye in terms of population
density, economic diversity, and their capacity to provide digital services [
        <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref4">4</xref>
        ]. There are significant
differences in the level of digitalization among municipalities in Türkiye. While metropolitan
municipalities generally offer more advanced digital platforms, small and medium-sized
municipalities often face challenges due to a lack of digital infrastructure, making their
eparticipation mechanisms less effective [
        <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref11">11</xref>
        ]. Therefore, this research conducted in Ankara provides
valuable insights into the common challenges faced by municipalities in Türkiye and the solutions
they have developed to combat digital exclusion. The sample of this study includes the Ankara
Metropolitan Municipality as well as nine district municipalities.
      </p>
      <p>
        According to the 2024 data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK), internet access across
the country has reached 92%, but this rate drops below 70% in low-income groups and rural areas
[
        <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref13">13</xref>
        ]. Particularly, elderly individuals, people with disabilities, and citizens with low levels of income
and education cannot sufficiently benefit from digital services [
        <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref4">4</xref>
        ][
        <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref12">12</xref>
        ]. Furthermore, the high
capacity of municipalities to provide online services does not always align with citizens' usage of
eparticipation. Factors such as a lack of digital literacy, cybersecurity concerns, and low trust in
governments make it challenging for citizens to participate in e-participation processes [
        <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref4">4</xref>
        ].
      </p>
    </sec>
    <sec id="sec-3">
      <title>3. Literature Review</title>
      <p>
        The existing literature includes various studies examining the importance of e-participation at the
municipal level and the impacts of digital exclusion. Digital exclusion is often approached from the
citizens' perspective, examining the barriers individuals face in participating in online processes, and
analyzing the consequences of digital exclusion based on individuals' experiences [
        <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref10">10</xref>
        ][
        <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref16">16</xref>
        ]. However,
there is limited information on how municipalities define digital exclusion, address this issue, and
shape their e-participation policies [
        <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref4">4</xref>
        ][
        <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref14">14</xref>
        ]. This creates a significant gap in understanding
municipalities' capacities for digital service provision and their strategic approaches. More research
is needed on how municipalities can develop more inclusive digital services to reach a broader
audience and eliminate digital exclusion. In addition, studies addressing this issue in Türkiye is very
limited [
        <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref4">4</xref>
        ][
        <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref14">14</xref>
        ].
      </p>
      <p>
        In the existing studies, indicators of digital exclusion include access to ICTs, levels of ICT usage,
and ICT skills, in addition to demo-graphic and socioeconomic factors [
        <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref16">16</xref>
        ]. First, two studies
analyzing the relationship between e-participation and the digital divide at the local government
level, like this research, stand out in the literature. Porwol et al. [
        <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref17">17</xref>
        ] examined the relationship
between e-participation, social exclusion, and the digital divide at the municipal level. They argued
that while citizens' access to ICTs and municipalities' ability to provide online information and
services have increased as technology advances, there has not been a corresponding increase in
citizens' levels of e-participation. They attributed this discrepancy to the issue of the digital divide,
noting that elderly citizens and those living in rural areas have low levels of digital tool usage and,
therefore, very low levels of e-participation. Consequently, they emphasized that the barriers to
eparticipation are directly related to the digital divide. As a solution, they proposed the "Citizen
Opinion Mining Channels" framework to over-come the barriers to e-participation [
        <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref17">17</xref>
        ].
      </p>
      <p>Similarly, Aikins and Chary [18] analyzed the relationship between e-participation and the digital
divide in local government units in the United States. In the analysis, they made recommendations
to increase citizens' access to ICTs based on the information and services provided by local
governments. Similar to this research, they examined the tendency of local governments to use ICTs
as a tool for communication or interaction with citizens. Additionally, they investigated how
variables such as age, income, ethnicity, and education affect this interaction. Their findings showed
that the deliberative features of local government websites are influenced by the size of the elderly
and Black populations residing in municipalities [18]</p>
      <p>
        Another study exploring the relationship between e-participation and digital exclusion is Ribeiro
et al.'s [
        <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref9">9</xref>
        ] research on the use of social media in e-participation initiatives in Brazil. They conducted
their analysis using national surveys related to the challenges in technology supply, citizens' access
to ICTs, ICT usage, and digital tool ownership. They found that living in rural or urban areas,
educational level, age group, and income level were critical variables influencing digital exclusion in
Brazil. They determined that the government's activity on social media was low and that, despite the
increase in e-participation options offered by the government, insufficient efforts were made to
ensure that marginalized groups had access to these options [
        <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref9">9</xref>
        ].
      </p>
      <p>Perez-Morote et al. [19] also analyzed the relationship between the development of e-participation
and the digital divide in 178 UN countries. To measure digital exclusion, they used variables such as
investment in telecommunications infrastructure, education, rural/urban location, age, gender, and
political freedom. The UN E-Participation Index was used as the dependent variable to measure
eparticipation. Their findings revealed that investments in telecommunications infrastructure and
educational level had a critical impact on the development of e-participation, while age groups and
living in rural areas had a negative impact [19].</p>
      <p>The insights obtained from such analyses have the potential to enrich demand-side analyses and
studies based on secondary data. However, research from developing countries reveals a gap in
understanding how local governments define, perceive, and respond to digital exclusion in relation
to e-participation. The present study addresses this supply-side gap in the context of municipalities
in Türkiye.</p>
    </sec>
    <sec id="sec-4">
      <title>4. Methodology</title>
      <p>This study conducted qualitative research to understand the digital exclusion and e-participation in
municipalities in Ankara, from the municipalities’ perspective. The interviews were conducted
between August 21 and September 24, 2024, with one representative from the information
technology (IT) departments of 10 municipalities, including 9 district municipalities and 1
metropolitan municipality in Ankara, through phone or email. The municipalities were selected
considering criteria such as population density, geographical distribution, digital service delivery
capacity, and socioeconomic diversity. This diversity, reflecting various economic and demographic
structures, is crucial for understanding how e-participation and digital exclusion are addressed.</p>
      <p>The interviews were conducted in a semi-structured format, allowing each participant to
elaborate on their experiences. Out of the 10 interviews, 5 were conducted via phone and 5 via email.
Phone interviews averaged 30 minutes and were fully transcribed verbatim, while email responses
varied in length (approx. 700-2500 words) and were used in their original form. The interview form
consists of six questions. These questions aim to assess the goals and objectives behind the
technological tools and channels (websites, mobile applications, and social media accounts) provided
by municipalities for citizens' use, the criteria that municipalities utilize while designing the online
platforms, how municipalities define their target audience when delivering information and services,
and whether these tools are designed based on citizen demands, internal administrative procedures,
or political decision-making mechanisms. In addition, the form investigates how the processes
function when citizens interact with municipalities online, how the COVID-19 pandemic affected
municipalities' e-participation processes, and what impact online interactions have had on the
municipalities themselves.</p>
      <p>The interview data were analyzed using MAXQDA software and coded through thematic
analysis. Thematic analysis is considered a robust method for identifying patterns and meanings in
qualitative data [21]. In this study, thematic analysis was preferred as it enables a detailed
examination of complex issues such as digital exclusion and e-participation. Themes were created
based on the interview data and following Braun and Clarke’s [21] framework. The coding process
considered frequently repeated expressions, emphasized issues, and the strategies municipalities
presented regarding e-participation and digital exclusion. Initially, open coding was used to identify
individual codes, followed by categorizing similar codes, and finally, forming main themes. The
coding process began with the classification and association of key terms found in the interview
transcripts, based on the context of the sentences and expressions in which they appeared, and in
alignment with the research objectives. Subsequently, related codes were grouped under broader
themes, and meaningful relationships between these themes were analyzed within the text. In this
way, the themes were reviewed, defined, and named.</p>
      <p>In this context, a word cloud representing the interview data is presented in Figure 1 below.</p>
      <p>The word cloud in Figure 1 shows the most frequently mentioned words in the transcripts. These
keywords indicate that the interview transcripts contain concepts closely related to the research
topic. The most frequent words, "citizen" and "municipality," reflect the supply and demand sides
that are central to the study, while the frequent appearance of concepts related to the processes and
tools of e-participation also aligns with the research focus. After gaining familiarity with the data,
coding was conducted, and following the steps of the thematic analysis framework, codes,
subthemes, and four main themes were identified. The coding system is presented in Table 1 below. In
this context, to make more detailed inferences about e-participation and digital exclusion, the online
tools through which municipalities offer participation opportunities (websites, social media, and
mobile applications) and the different e-participation levels (e-information, e-consultation,
eempowerment) were examined separately. Additionally, the determinants of digital exclusion were
analyzed under two sub-themes: factors affecting access to and use of technologies, and demographic
factors.</p>
    </sec>
    <sec id="sec-5">
      <title>5. Preliminary Findings</title>
      <p>5.1.</p>
      <sec id="sec-5-1">
        <title>Dimensions of E-participation and Digital Exclusion</title>
        <p>Within the scope of the research, the first theme was identified as "E-Participation Tools." Codes
related to the online tools provided by municipalities and the services offered through these tools
were grouped under this theme. From the perspective of municipalities, websites are primarily used
by middle-aged and older adults with higher education levels since they offer official information
but often suffer from complex interfaces, requiring a user-friendly design. Social media, on the other
hand, appeals to young people and low-income groups, providing quick feedback and broad reach.
However, it is not usually integrated into official processes and carries the risk of misinformation.
Mobile apps are favored by young and middle-aged users with digital skills. They are user-friendly
and facilitate active participation through instant notifications. Yet, they are not widely used.</p>
        <p>The second theme was identified as "E-Participation Levels." Under this theme, codes related to
citizens' levels of engagement in municipalities' e-participation processes were gathered. The levels
of e-participation were examined within the framework of the three levels [22]. The first level is
einformation, which involves one-way information flow from the government to the citizen (e.g.,
providing information to the public on a government website). The second level is e-consultation, a
two-way interaction where citizens can provide feedback on the information and services offered by
the government (e.g., collecting feedback, opinions, and suggestions from citizens). The third is
eempowerment, where citizens actively participate in policymaking processes (e.g., engaging citizens
as co-participants and collaborating with the government). Among the codes, e-information (51) and
e-consultation (52) are the most frequently mentioned e-participation levels. Indeed, they provided
detailed information about feedback mechanisms, requests, and complaint processes, shedding light
on the role of municipalities. E-empowerment (11) is among the least mentioned topics.</p>
        <p>From the municipalities’ perspective, at the e-information level, the primary barriers are related
to access to basic information, particularly in terms of technology availability, infrastructure, and
accessibility. Citizens with limited access to technology may face difficulties in using online systems.
However, for those who do have access, obtaining online information is easier compared to other
eparticipation levels, so barriers like digital literacy tend to have less impact at this stage. The
econsultation level presents additional challenges, as participation is not only influenced by
technology access but also by the frequency of usage and digital skills. Since this level involves
twoway communication, the lack of digital literacy and access can weaken participation. Finally,
eempowerment represents the deepest level of participation, where citizens at risk of digital exclusion
have very limited access. To engage in decision-making processes, citizens must overcome the digital
divide. Individuals affected by digital exclusion often face struggles even in accessing information or
engaging in e-consultation, which makes the impact of digital exclusion less significant at this level.</p>
        <p>The third theme, "Digital Exclusion," is divided into two sub-themes: "Access to Technology" and
"Demographic Barriers." Within the Access to Technology sub-theme, Accessibility (41) is the most
frequently mentioned code, as municipal representatives explained how they included disadvantaged
citizens through accessibility solutions. Under the Demographic Barriers sub-theme, Young Users
(12) and Elderly Users (11) were mentioned by almost all municipalities, whereas Rural Area Users
(5) and Disabled Users (6) were highlighted by only some municipalities. For municipalities, elderly
users (65+) often face a lack of technological skills and encounter complex interfaces, leading to lower
e-participation and a preference for traditional participation methods. Young users (18-35) are
generally familiar with technology but are concerned about security and trust. However, they are
active on social media, though they tend to have low engagement with formal feedback mechanisms.
Users with disabilities experience a lack of accessibility, which results in very limited e-participation
and a reliance on physical access to municipal services. Finally, residents in rural areas face
infrastructure deficiencies and low internet speeds, leading to low e-participation rates and weak
access to e-information tools. Digital exclusion, therefore, affects each demographic group in unique
ways, influencing their ability and willingness to engage in e-participation activities.</p>
        <p>Finally, the fourth theme was identified as "Crisis Period (COVID-19)." Three codes fall under this
theme: the overall impact of COVID-19 (10), its effect on citizens' communication habits with
municipalities (4), and its impact on the digital transformation of municipalities (9). The COVID-19
theme was incorporated into the research as a contextual variable to analyze how crisis periods
influence the municipalities’ approach to e-participation and digital exclusion. However, COVID-19
was rarely mentioned in the interviews. All three codes have low frequencies, and municipalities
mainly discussed the challenges they faced due to the mandatory digitalization of certain services
during the pandemic. In this context, the changes in e-participation during the pandemic were
perceived as a necessity-driven solution rather than a voluntary transformation.
5.2.</p>
      </sec>
      <sec id="sec-5-2">
        <title>Relationships among the Themes</title>
        <p>Based on the summaries above, it is possible to gain a basic understanding of municipalities'
approaches to e-participation and digital exclusion. A relational analysis between these themes
allows for more detailed interpretations. In this context, Figure 2 displays a relational network graph
based on the themes and the coding system, illustrating the relationship network among the codes.</p>
        <p>When analyzing the connections of Theme 1 (E-Participation Tools) and Theme 2 (E-Participation
Levels) to the digital exclusion theme, it is important to consider their interconnections to correctly
interpret the research findings. The digital tools provided by municipalities play a critical role in
determining the level at which citizens participate. At the same time, changes in citizen participation
at different e-participation levels also influence the use of online tools and services. It can be inferred
that online services and social media are mostly used for information provision and e-consultation.
The relationship between e-participation tools and more active participation forms, e-empowerment,
appears weaker in the relational analysis. From the municipalities' perspective, social media is the
primary online platform where citizens engage in feedback processes, its code is linked to all
subcodes under the e-participation levels theme. On the other hand, municipal websites are primarily
addressed for news, announcements, and online services, making them more active in e-information.
Among the e-participation levels, the most frequently discussed level in the interview transcripts is
e-consultation. Feedback and request processes are frequently mentioned in relation to
econsultation, highlighting their importance within this level. This could explain why social media is
more prominent than other tools.</p>
        <p>The relationship between Theme 1 (E-Participation Tools) and Theme 3 (Digital Exclusion)
exhibits strong and intense interactions. The fact that digital exclusion directly impacts citizens'
access to digital tools and their ability to use them effectively is a theoretically expected outcome.
Factors such as technological infrastructure, digital literacy gaps, and demographic barriers limit the
use of e-participation tools. Conversely, the quality, content, and scope of e-participation tools and
services directly influence digital exclusion levels.</p>
        <p>When focusing on the relationship between digital exclusion and e-participation tools, issues
related to accessing municipal websites and e-municipality services emerge as high-frequency
concerns under the technology access sub-theme. However, given that municipalities frequently
emphasize accessibility, user-friendly design, and citizen satisfaction, it can be inferred that they
prioritize policies aimed at addressing access, usability, and skill-related issues contributing to the
digital divide. When evaluated in the context of demographic barriers, it is observed that
municipalities mention fewer policies specifically targeting groups at risk of digital exclusion. Indeed,
the codes related to digitally excluded demographic groups mostly indicate that municipalities either
have no initiatives in this area or only have future goals regarding inclusion efforts. This is one of
the most significant findings of the study. From a supply-side perspective, municipalities frequently
discuss policies and initiatives aimed at addressing technological access issues. However, they
mention far fewer policies or initiatives targeting demographic and socio-economic barriers. It is
noteworthy that municipalities mostly refer to demographic inclusion policies as part of their future
plans rather than current implementations.</p>
        <p>Furthermore, municipalities recognize that social media is predominantly used by younger
citizens, while municipal websites, particularly for announcements and news, cater to all age groups.
Several municipalities also state that e-participation tools are designed with privacy and
cybersecurity concerns in mind. They mention that municipal mobile apps and websites are adapted
for citizens with low digital literacy. Some municipalities have implemented security measures such
as two-factor authentication and integration with the national e-Government Gateway.</p>
        <p>The relational analysis between these themes reveals that municipalities seriously consider issues
such as citizens' technology access, user-friendly design, accessibility options, security, and privacy
when offering e-participation opportunities. However, taking measures against these barriers and
developing policies is not sufficient alone. While municipalities focus on policies that enhance access
for those already capable of using technology, they fail to actively include disadvantaged groups who
should be targeted for digital inclusion policies. Although it is important to attract and encourage
digitally capable citizens to participate in local processes, it is clear that municipalities lack a digital
inclusion-oriented perspective for citizens at risk of digital exclusion, those with access issues, or
those with limited digital skills. Below are some interview excerpts regarding the relationship
between these two themes:
• Municipality 5: "Young people use our mobile applications more frequently, but elderly
citizens or those who are not comfortable with technology prefer to visit the municipal
building in person to complete their transactions."
• Municipality 1: "We don’t have a specific online application for the elderly and
disadvantaged groups, but we are working on policies for the future."</p>
        <p>Similar to the relationship discussed above, there is also a strong and intense two-way network
of relationships between Theme 2 (E-Participation Levels) and Theme 3 (Digital Exclusion).
Technological and demographic barriers may lead to the exclusion of citizens from e-participation
processes or limit their participation to only basic levels such as e-information or e-consultation,
preventing them from accessing more interactive processes like collaboration and empowerment.
On the other hand, municipal policies aimed at expanding e-participation opportunities at different
levels and ensuring citizens' access to these opportunities can lead to changes in digital exclusion
levels.</p>
        <p>When examining the relational network between digital exclusion and e-participation levels, the
results show that the causes of digital exclusion and the challenges faced by at-risk citizens are
closely linked to e-participation levels. Variables in the technology access category indicate that
citizens' concerns about privacy and security, as well as their levels of digital literacy, significantly
affect their online interactions with municipalities. Municipal representatives particularly emphasize
that user experience is a factor that increases citizen engagement in e-consultation processes.
Additionally, it has been noted that as access to technology becomes more problematic, citizens tend
to limit their interaction to following announcements on municipal websites or disengage entirely
from municipal services. However, the relationship between digital exclusion variables and the
eempowerment level remains extremely weak, suggesting that digital exclusion has little to no
meaningful impact on e-empowerment.</p>
        <p>In terms of demographic barriers, it is frequently stated that e-consultation, requests, surveys,
complaints, and feedback processes are mostly dominated by young people with high levels of digital
literacy. On the other hand, according to municipalities, elderly individuals, people with disabilities,
and those living in rural areas still tend to prefer traditional participation methods. This analysis
clearly reveals a lack of initiatives aimed at the digital inclusion of disadvantaged groups.</p>
        <p>When evaluating the relationship between e-participation levels and digital exclusion, most
municipal representatives emphasize that citizens' demands and feedback play a crucial role in the
digitalization process, which is why municipalities prioritize e-consultation processes. There is a
consensus that keeping e-information services active and up-to-date positively influences citizens'
perceptions of transparency and ensures that many citizens at risk of digital exclusion can access
einformation services.</p>
        <p>Although there is a strong relationship between these two themes, the connections between
eempowerment and digital barriers, remain relatively weak. One significant point for this research is
that as e-participation levels increase hierarchically, their relationship with digital exclusion
weakens. From the municipalities' perspective, it is believed that disadvantaged groups who are
digitally excluded or at risk of digital exclusion are most likely to engage in e-information or, at most,
e-consultation processes. In this regard, the first conclusion is that municipalities recognize and
acknowledge the impact of digital exclusion on e-participation. The second is that, in policies
designed to combat digital exclusion, municipalities generally focus on e-information, the lowest
hierarchical level of e-participation, and to some extent, on e-consultation processes. As seen in the
interview excerpts below regarding the relationship between these two themes, municipalities have
acknowledged the issue of digital exclusion, proposed solutions, set policies and goals, yet provided
very few examples of initiatives that actively include disadvantaged citizens.</p>
        <p>• Municipality 3: "On our website, there is a section where citizens can leave feedback, but
most people don’t use it. They usually call by phone or visit the municipality in person. We
need to make these platforms more user-friendly, especially for those with low digital skills."
• Municipality 9: "Our goal is for citizens to avoid the need to visit the municipality and handle
everything online, so they don’t have to go through the hassle of coming here. However, for
elderly or those not familiar with ICTs, we also provide information through billboards."
Finally, the relationship between Theme 4 (Crisis Period - COVID-19) and the other three themes
was analyzed through network graph and interview transcripts. While the relationships between
Theme 4 and the other themes are generally strong, the low frequency of references to COVID-19 in
the interviews makes these connections appear weaker. Municipal representatives acknowledge that
COVID-19 period increased the demand for e-participation tools. However, they also express that
the exclusion of citizens who could not access online opportunities further deepened the digital
divide. From their perspective, the accelerated digital transformation during the pandemic not only
increased citizens' use of various online tools for communication and information access with
municipalities but also intensified participation processes at different e-participation levels.
However, the temporary solutions provided for citizens facing digital literacy and infrastructure
issues during the pandemic did not result in permanent digital inclusivity. In summary, although
rarely discussed in the interviews, citizens' access to ICTs and their ability to engage increased during
the pandemic. However, this increase mostly remained at the e-information level, while more active
forms of participation, such as e-empowerment, remained limited.</p>
        <p>Municipalities have particularly identified that access to digital tools remained insufficient during
and after the pandemic in rural areas and low-income groups. Additionally, the wireless internet
infrastructure and mobile support points provided by municipalities during the pandemic were not
sustained afterward, preventing the equitable adoption of online services. Therefore, while the
pandemic triggered digital transformation and increased citizens' use of digital tools, some
demographic groups reverted to their old habits after the pandemic. Below are some interview
excerpts regarding the relationship between these two themes:
• Municipality 2: "Citizens learned how to handle their tasks online. Previously, they used to
visit the municipality to submit petitions, now they send their complaints or requests online."
• Municipality 4: "During the pandemic, some citizens learned how to handle their municipal
affairs online. However, some still continue to visit the municipality in person.</p>
      </sec>
    </sec>
    <sec id="sec-6">
      <title>6. Discussion</title>
      <p>The findings of this research highlight the complex interplay between e-participation tools,
eparticipation levels, and digital exclusion within the context of municipalities in Ankara. The data
indicate that while municipalities are actively working to provide online services and promote online
citizen engagement, various factors continue to limit the effectiveness of these e-participation
initiatives. Interviews show that municipalities have a positive approach to digitalization but face
some challenges. They emphasize that they have taken significant steps toward transitioning to
emunicipality by reducing face-to-face processes, developed different digital tools to encourage
eparticipation, and implemented various strategies to reduce digital exclusion.</p>
      <p>
        According to the preliminary findings, the first implication is that municipalities have increased
the information and services they offer to citizens via online tools, but they tailor their target
audiences depending on the specific e-participation tool. The thematic analysis results suggest that
municipalities generally believe that citizens with lower levels of digital inclusion can more
frequently access municipal websites and find them easier to use. Therefore, they prioritize
accessibility and user-friendly design for websites. From a supply-side perspective, as more formal
and information-focused tools, websites appeal to a broad user base. On the other hand, social media
and mobile applications reach also broad audiences despite digital exclusion; however, these
audiences typically possess higher levels of digital literacy and access to technology. In this context,
municipalities must consider the differences between the tools while producing policies for
eparticipation processes carried out through various online tools [
        <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref4">4</xref>
        ], but they should also develop
unique strategies to include disadvantaged groups for each online tool.
      </p>
      <p>Municipalities recognize digital exclusion as a multifaceted issue, encompassing both
technological and demographic barriers, and they acknowledge the significance of user-friendly
design, accessibility, and security as potential solutions. However, the second implication is that their
policies mainly focus on improving access for those who are already somewhat digitally included.
Meanwhile, disadvantaged groups are often overlooked in current initiatives. This discrepancy
suggests that while municipalities are making strides in digitizing services, they are not sufficiently
addressing the deeper socioeconomic and demographic factors that perpetuate digital exclusion. By
using their data indicating that disadvantaged groups have a high demand for traditional methods,
most municipalities have prioritized meeting these groups' demands rather than including them in
online participation processes.</p>
      <p>Thirdly, municipal representatives frequently emphasize their focus on request, survey,
complaint, and feedback systems, stating that they make decisions and design services based on data
collected from citizens. Establishing various systems to gather feedback from citizens and shaping
their services accordingly represents significant progress in observing the outcomes of
eparticipation. In this context, municipalities clearly observe that citizens’ participation in
econsultation processes increases as their level of digital inclusion improves. However, there is a
noticeable shortcoming in integrating these processes with broader digital inclusion strategies.
Indeed, discussions about the e-empowerment level rarely address groups at risk of digital exclusion
or the challenges that cause digital exclusion.</p>
      <p>Finally, although the COVID-19 pandemic was not a dominant topic in the interviews, the data
reveal that the accelerated digitalization of certain services accelerated citizens’ adoption of
eparticipation tools. Municipalities experienced a surge in online requests, feedback, and service
usage. Nonetheless, they realized that this rapid transformation did not necessarily lead to permanent
digital inclusion. Consequently, the pandemic underscored both the potential for rapid digital
transformation and the entrenched barriers that prevent certain citizens from fully benefiting from
e-participation opportunities.</p>
      <p>This research provides important insights into how municipalities in Ankara perceive and address
the relationship between e-participation and digital exclusion. The preliminary findings demonstrate
that a purely supply-side focus on technological provision is insufficient to combat digital exclusion
effectively. Municipalities need to adopt a more holistic approach that includes targeted outreach,
training, and policies addressing socioeconomic and demographic barriers. By doing so, they can
foster deeper e-participation, reduce inequalities, and move toward genuinely inclusive governance.</p>
      <p>Overall, these results underscore the importance of integrating both technological and
socioeconomic considerations into municipal e-participation strategies. Addressing digital exclusion
requires a nuanced understanding of the different factors that shape citizens’ online engagement. By
developing inclusive policies, investing in long-term digital engagement programs, and actively
encouraging collaboration at the e-empowerment level, municipalities can help ensure that
eparticipation truly serves all segments of society. Based on the research findings, it can be stated that
municipalities in Türkiye should develop digital literacy programs, diversify accessibility options
tailored to different disadvantaged groups and online tools, conduct further research on groups with
low digital engagement, and ensure the sustainability of the digital services they offer. These
measures will help minimize digital exclusion and make e-participation processes more efficient and
inclusive.</p>
      <p>The study is based on a limited number of interviews and only reflects supply-side perspectives.
The sample of the study was limited due to the low number of municipalities that adequately provide
online services to citizens. This limitation poses challenges for the generalizability of the study’s
findings. In this context, as part of the future work, it is intended to support and strengthen the
preliminary findings by analyzing the online channels and official documents of the municipalities
included in the sample, in addition to the interviews. Strategic plans, digital service reports, website
content, and social media policies of the municipalities will be analyzed to examine whether the
strategies mentioned in the interviews are actually reflected in official documents and policies.
Therefore, future work will combine the interview data with new qualitative data for providing more
in-depth analyses.</p>
    </sec>
    <sec id="sec-7">
      <title>Acknowledgements</title>
      <p>This study is derived from Niyazi Karabulut’s thesis titled “Examining the Relationship between
Digital Exclusion and Citizens' E-participation in Municipalities: The Case of Ankara, Türkiye.” It
was supported by TÜBİTAK (Project 223K161) and METU BAP (Project TEZ-D-401-2023-11368). This
study was also supported by TÜBİTAK 2224-A program for presentation in EGOV2025.</p>
    </sec>
    <sec id="sec-8">
      <title>Declaration on Generative AI</title>
      <p>During the preparation of this work, the authors used GPT-4o for grammar and spelling check. After
using this tool, the authors reviewed and edited the content as needed and take full responsibility for
the publication’s content.
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