An approach to the participative limitations of civic crowdfunding

Abstract

In this research we analyse the commitment dimension of civic crowdfunding. The main objective is to determine the characteristics and the citizen involvement profile which, through donations, contribute to the financing of social and civic motivation initiatives. To do this, we carry out a descriptive analysis based on eight variables that collect information on sociodemographic particularities, key information sources for participation, involvement experience and the degree of prior knowledge of the promoting entity. The study variables are based on a sample of 46 individuals who participated in any of the 27 civic crowdfunding and matchfunding projects of public-private collaboration hosted on the Goteo platform, and included in the Crowdfunding ZGZ 2017 and Conjuntament Desarrollo Económico de Proximidad 2018 programs that were promoted by the municipalities of Zaragoza and Barcelona. The results show a type of participant formed hegemonically by adult individuals, highly educated, with an income level above the average, close to the group that promotes the fundable cause and with previous involvement experience at the social, civic and political level. In conclusion, we must point out the limitations of civic crowdfunding as a participatory instrument for the integration of individuals and social groups outside of social and civic processes.