The article analyses the theoretical foundations of participatory governance, identifies the main challenges and prospects for the digitalization of public participation. The authors examine international experience of digital governance, including the Czech model of participatory budgeting, the use of mobile applications for interaction between the authorities and citizens, as well as online platforms for electronic voting and discussion of local initiatives. Special attention is paid to the possibility of integrating European practices into the Ukrainian public administration system.

One of the key challenges of digital democracy is digital inequality, which limits the access of certain social groups to online civic participation tools. Insufficient digital literacy, the lack of a single integrated ecosystem of electronic services, as well as cybersecurity threats and the possibility of manipulation in digital processes remain significant obstacles to effective e-governance.

The article offers practical recommendations for improving digital public participation mechanisms in Ukraine. In particular, the author justifies the need to create a single national platform for e-democracy that will integrate existing services such as Diia, e-petitions and participatory budgets, ensuring transparency, accessibility and efficiency of decision-making. In addition, the study emphasizes the importance of raising the level of digital literacy of the population, introducing a multi-level cyber defense system, and empowering citizens to use digital technologies safely and effectively.

The research findings confirm that the digitalization of democratic processes contributes to the formation of an open civil society, expands the opportunities for citizens to influence political and administrative decisions, and increases the level of trust in the authorities. At the same time, it requires a systematic approach to overcoming challenges related to technological, regulatory and social aspects of its implementation.