Information for Citizen Engagement Ambassadors
Date: 20/03/2025
Dear former participants,
We want to thank you once more for your interest in becoming Citizen Engagement Ambassadors! Many of you mentioned that participating in the European Citizens’ Panel was a life-changing experience that strengthened your desire to continue raising awareness about the EU and its democratic values. This is precisely the reason why we are seeking your support. You also posed us several questions concerning this initiative and here we would like to provide our answers.
Please note that this text was originally written in English, and it is available in all 24 EU languages via automatic translation. If you want, you can change the language setting on your personal profile page.
What does the role of Ambassador entail?
Being an Ambassador means helping the European Commission to raise awareness about the various opportunities where citizens have a say in the EU policymaking process, including the European Citizens’ Panels and the Citizens’ Engagement Platform. How you want to do this is up to you! Here are some examples of activities you may decide to carry out:
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Mobilising communities around you to contribute to policy debates around citizen engagement activities.
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Communicating with the public via social media or other channels about your experience and the most recent developments related to the European Citizen Engagement and other relevant initiatives. Becoming a public face/local hero of the Panels and thus giving testimonials in the local press/media about your experience.
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Meeting with the new participants of other Citizens’ Panels to share your experience and help them understand their role.
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Collaborating with the European Commission Representations and the Europe Direct Centers on citizen engagement activities and events.
Please note that this is a different role than the one played as an ambassador during the panel. The network of former participants offers the possibility to any former member of a panel to step up and become a Citizen Engagement Ambassador. This aims to be a long-term collaboration but if you want to withdraw, you can do so at any moment. You just need to send us an email to COMM-CITIZENS-PANELS@ec.europa.eu.
How will the European Commission support me in my role as Citizen Engagement Ambassador?
We will provide you with training opportunities and materials to support your role as a Citizen Engagement Ambassador. As soon as they are ready, we will share them with you in all EU 24 Official languages. Moreover, we will remain in touch with you via this newsletter to inform you about opportunities and initiatives where you could further engage.
How much time will the role of Ambassador require?
The collaboration is flexible, and it adapts to your workload and availability. You can use the channels for communication that you prefer, and you are welcome to come up with more ideas on how to reach out to as many people as possible (e.g. social media, press, direct outreach in your neighborhood, events, etc.). It does not matter if you live in a city or a village as we aim to reach all Europeans.
Is it a problem if I don’t speak English?
This collaboration does not require you to speak English. You can communicate about citizen engagement and your experience in the citizen panels in any language you prefer. The aim is to reach out to all EU 27 Member States.
Will I have to travel?
This initiative does not require you to travel. However, on certain occasions and if you agree, we will randomly select ambassadors who will be invited to attend events in Brussels. There is of course no obligation to participate. Additionally, it is possible that you may also be invited to participate in events organised in your own countries.
Will I be paid to act a Citizen Engagement Ambassador?
Undertaking the role of Citizen Engagement Ambassador is entirely voluntary and it does not foresee an economic compensation. In certain specific situations, for example if you are invited to attend an event in Brussels, some costs such as travel and accommodation will be covered. However, these will be exceptional situations.
I want to be a Citizen Engagement Ambassador. What are the next steps?
As a Citizen Engagement Ambassador, you can now start spreading the word about the latest European Citizen Engagement actions! Therefore, we would like to ask for your help in promoting the new debate on the New European Budget that is now open on the Citizens’ Engagement Platform. You can start contributing to the discussion yourself and, most importantly, you can encourage your friends, family, colleagues, and anyone else to do the same! This will help us to increase the use of the platform and will ensure that more European voices are truly heard.
Click here to join the debate, you can change it to any other EU language by using the button at the top of the page.
We will soon share more information about the next European Citizens’ Panel on the next European budget. We will also send you images and texts that you can share on your social media. Once again, you are free to dedicate to these collaborations as much time as you wish, and you are free to decide which initiatives and which collaborations you would like to undertake.
If you have any additional questions, write an email to COMM-CITIZENS-PANELS@ec.europa.eu. If you would like to interrupt your engagement as a Citizen Ambassador, please inform us via email and we will make sure to delete your contact details from our records.
Thank you once again for your enthusiasm and your support!