Overview   News

To help initiative organisers whose campaigns have been impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak, in 2020 the EU Institutions took swift measures allowing for the extension of deadlines for the collection, verification and examination phases applicable to European citizens’ initiatives. New measures have just been adopted.

The European Citizens’ Initiative Forum is a collaborative platform, which aims to provide citizens with practical information and advice on the European Citizens’ Initiative. It has many features including a space for citizens to share and discuss their ideas. The most commented discussion topic this year was about the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on European citizens’ initiatives. Head over to the “Discuss” section to find out what else citizens have been talking about.

Thirteen European citizens’ initiatives are currently collecting signatures. Take a minute to check them out and lend them your support.

This year again, the European Citizens’ Initiative Forum has provided valuable support to European citizens’ initiative organisers. The Forum’s team answered 43 enquiries about launching and running a European citizens’ initiative. The most frequent queries received are related to the legal aspects of the instrument, followed by campaigning and fundraising.

Throughout the year, many key actors in the field of participatory democracy have shared their thoughts, experiences and tips on the European Citizens’ Initiative Forum. Check out the most viewed blogposts including “European Citizens' Initiative Secrets of Success Revealed: Insider Tips on How to Get 1,6 Million Signatures and Surpass the Threshold in Twenty-One EU Member States” among many others.

Get involved in raising awareness about the European Citizens’ Initiative. You can find communication material in all EU languages on the European Citizens’ Initiative website. You can also share information posted on social media by following the ‘#EUTakeTheInitiative’ hashtag.

In 2020, the European Commission launched the European Citizens’ Initiative ambassadors’ programme. The European Citizens' Initiative Ambassadors from all across the EU agreed to join our efforts to make the ECI better known by sharing information about the European Citizens’ Initiative with their networks. Take a look at the representatives who have joined the programme so far.

In November, the European Commission held a week-long digital event built around the European Citizens’ Initiative. Throughout the Week, institutional representatives, members of civil society, citizens and organisers of past and ongoing initiatives discussed: how to make the reformed European Citizens’ Initiative a success, what makes the ECI unique, how to launch an initiative and campaign in COVID-19 times and much more. All recordings are available on the event webpage.

In January 2020, new rules brought in by the reform of the European Citizens’ Initiative started to apply. They aim to make the European Citizens’ Initiative process easier and more user-friendly with the aim to encourage more citizens to get involved.

After a busy week, the event came to a close. But before saying goodbye, our speakers took us through the highlights of the week and shared their hopes for the future of participatory democracy in the EU. If you weren’t able to watch the session, the recording is now available.

On 30 November 2020, the organisers of the initiative “Right to Cure” launched their signature collection campaign. They have to collect one million signatures until 30 November 2021, meeting the required threshold in at least seven EU countries. Learn more about the initiative.

The European Citizens’ Initiative Week took place from 16 to 20 November. Throughout the Week, institutional representatives, members of civil society, citizens and organisers of past and ongoing initiatives discussed: how to make the reformed European Citizens’ Initiative a success, what makes the ECI unique, how to launch an initiative and campaign in COVID-19 times and much more. Read about the highlights of each session on the European Citizens’ Initiative Forum.

The European Commission’s Vice-President for Values and Transparency, Věra Jourová opened the European Citizens’ Initiative Week, setting the context and the aims for the Week. She was joined by representatives of other EU institutions and the civil society to discuss the impacts of the first year of the reform. If you weren’t able to watch the session, the recording is now available.

During the second session of the European Citizens’ Initiative Week, institutional representatives and members of the civil society discussed what makes the European Citizens’ Initiative a unique way for citizens to get involved in EU policy-making. If you weren’t able to watch the session, the recording is now available.

The European Citizens’ Initiative Week was also an opportunity to hear from past and current organisers. Two sessions were dedicated to their stories. They shared their experiences and gave some practical and useful tips on how to lead a successful campaign. If you weren’t able to watch the session, the recordings are now available.