This article explores the relevance of citizen participation in the context of democratic governance and the right to development. It aims to identify key concepts and relationships through a systematic literature review in indexed academic databases, discerning good practices to encourage citizen participation. Using the PRISMA method, the authors formulated research questions and searched for articles on the relationship between citizen participation, democratic governance, and the right to development. Out of 45 initially identified documents, 21 articles were selected, which had a direct impact on the study topic. The results show a complex relationship, highlighting the importance of legitimacy, constitutional provisions, and contextual conditions. The study also identifies findings on legal, economic, and social dimensions of the right to development linked to citizen participation. The main conclusion emphasizes the complexity of this relationship, stressing the need for adaptive and contextual approaches to strengthen citizen participation as a means for effective democratic governance in the framework of the right to development. This study offers a basis for future research, policies, and practices that seek to deepen understanding and promote comprehensive and sustainable development through citizen participation.This article explores the relevance of citizen participation in the context of democratic governance and the right to development. It aims to identify key concepts and relationships through a systematic literature review in indexed academic databases, discerning good practices to encourage citizen participation. Using the PRISMA method, the authors formulated research questions and searched for articles on the relationship between citizen participation, democratic governance, and the right to development. Out of 45 initially identified documents, 21 articles were selected, which had a direct impact on the study topic. The results show a complex relationship, highlighting the importance of legitimacy, constitutional provisions, and contextual conditions. The study also identifies findings on legal, economic, and social dimensions of the right to development linked to citizen participation. The main conclusion emphasizes the complexity of this relationship, stressing the need for adaptive and contextual approaches to strengthen citizen participation as a means for effective democratic governance in the framework of the right to development. This study offers a basis for future research, policies, and practices that seek to deepen understanding and promote comprehensive and sustainable development through citizen participation.