Who Gets to Decide? Citizen Agency and Institutional Distrust in Waste Management

Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between citizen participation and institutional trust in the context of waste management in the city of Split, with a particular focus on the controversial Waste Management Center project in Lećevica. Based on a quantitative survey of 450 residents from Split and surrounding areas, this study explores citizens’ perceptions of their involvement in decision-making processes, the degree of trust in local and national institutions, and how these factors intersect with environmental awareness and practices. The results reveal a significant gap between citizens’ declared environmental concern and their participation in pro-environmental behaviors, such as waste separation. Furthermore, the findings indicate widespread distrust in political and administrative institutions, contrasted by relatively greater confidence in environmental experts and civil society actors. Participation is widely perceived as symbolic, with little impact on policy, leading to emotions like fear, a sense of injustice, and vulnerability – especially regarding the Lećevica and Karepovac waste management projects. These sentiments reflect broader concerns about exclusion, lack of transparency, and procedural fairness. The research highlights the need for designing participatory frameworks that move beyond formal consultation toward meaningful inclusion and power-sharing. The study concludes that building public trust and enhancing citizen agency are essential for developing effective, legitimate, and sustainable waste management strategies, particularly in urban settings defined by environmental pressures and socio-political tensions.