Participatory democracy is a model of governance in which citizens are actively involved in decision-making processes rather than merely electing representatives who make decisions on their behalf. It emphasizes direct engagement, continuous participation, and shared responsibility in political, social, and economic life. In the context of peace and conflict resolution, participatory democracy is considered important because it reduces alienation, builds trust in institutions, and helps address grievances before they escalate into conflict. However, for such a system to function effectively, it requires specific institutional arrangements that ensure inclusion, transparency, accountability, and meaningful participation. At the core of participatory democracy is decentralization of power. This means that decision-making authority must not remain concentrated in central institutions alone but should be distributed across multiple levels of governance, including local, regional, and community institutions. Decentralization allows citizens to engage directly with issues that affect their daily lives. Local governance bodies such as village councils, municipal committees, and neighborhood associations become important spaces where people can participate in planning, implementation, and monitoring of public policies. This proximity between citizens and decision-makers enhances responsiveness and reduces the gap between government and society. Another essential institutional arrangement is the existence of strong and accessible deliberative forums. These are spaces where citizens can discuss issues, exchange ideas, and deliberate on policy choices. Deliberative democracy requires institutions that encourage dialogue rather than competition, ensuring that diverse voices are heard. Public consultations, town hall meetings, citizen assemblies, and participatory budgeting processes are examples of such mechanisms. These forums help in building consensus and reducing conflicts by allowing individuals and groups to express their concerns in a structured and peaceful manner. Transparent and accountable institutions are also crucial for participatory democracy. Transparency ensures that information about government actions, policies, and decisions is freely available to citizens. Without access to information, meaningful participation becomes impossible. Accountability mechanisms such as independent oversight bodies, ombudsman institutions, and judicial review ensure that public officials and institutions remain answerable to the people.