European Citizens’ Initiative

Organisers of the ‘Win It on the Pitch’ initiative started the signature collection period on 13 March. This citizens’ initiative calls for adopting a Council Recommendation on protecting the model of sport (especially football) in Europe, based on values, solidarity, sustainability, and open competitions.

Learn more below.

The European Commission decided to register a new European citizens’ initiative called ‘Fur Free Europe’ on 16 March. Organisers are asking to prohibit the keeping and killing animals for fur production and to stop products containing farmed animal fur from entering the EU market.

After registering an ECI, organisers have 6 months to start the collection of 1 million signatures from at least 7 EU countries. Learn more about this citizens’ initiative in the press release or by clicking ‘more’ below.

In its March plenary session, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on three instruments for engaging citizens, including the ECI. The resolution, entitled “Engaging with citizens: the right to petition and refer to the European Ombudsman, the European Citizens’ Initiative” was prepared by the Committee on Petitions.

See the full text of the resolution by clicking ‘more’.

The European Economic and Social Committee gave the floor during the 23 March plenary session to the initiators of the European citizens' initiative ‘Save bees and farmers! Towards a bee-friendly agriculture for a healthy environment’, which has been backed by some 1.2 million people across the EU.

Helmut Burtscher-Schaden, GLOBAL 2000 – Friends of the Earth Austria, made the case for the phase-out of synthetic pesticides by 2035, restoring biodiversity and supporting farmers in the transition towards a bee-friendly agriculture. While many members congratulated the organisers for their achievement and showed support for their objectives, there were also voices underlining the potential negative impact of the measures proposed on farmers and food systems and calling for a stronger involvement of farmers in the debates.

Click 'more' to view the recording.

This whole year we honor 10 years of the European Citizens’ Initiative. Whether you want to mark the day the Regulation about the ECI entered into force (1 April), the day the first citizens’ initiative was registered (9 May) or use the ‘ECI Day’ of the European Economic and Social Committee and partners (2 June) - we hope you will join us in marking this special milestone.

Head over to our Communication material page for resources in all EU official languages to help spread the word. Share your activities with us: SG-ECI-COMMUNICATION[at]ec.europa.eu

The Fundamental Rights Agency organises a webinar on “European Citizens' Initiative: how can civil society organisations make use of it?” on 6 April at 10:00 CET.

This webinar will help understand what the ECI is and discuss how to use citizens’ initiatives for civil society’s advocacy. Organisers of ECIs in the field of fundamental rights will present their case and there will be room for discussion during this webinar lasting 1 hr 45 minutes. Representatives of organisations and interested individuals are welcome.

Register below.

With Covid-19 restrictions slowly lifting across Europe, there will be greater possibilities to campaign for a European citizens’ initiative in person and a greater opportunity to collect signatures on paper.

This online workshop will look at local successful initiatives and their approaches to in-person campaigning as well as review the paper signature collection strategies from former successful European citizens’ initiatives. The workshop will also look at the practicalities of collecting signatures on paper, as well as offer best practices of campaign websites from successful campaigners.

Join us if you are a current or potential European citizens’ initiative organiser and need campaigning advice. The workshop takes place 12 April, 15-16:15 CET.

Do you want to become an ‘expert climate activist’? Then join Young European Ambassadors in the EU for a hands-on workshop in Rome on Saturday, 30 April.

The workshop (10:00 – 17:00) – created for and by young people – aims to showcase experiences of youth participation to counteract climate change. A practical activity on the European Citizens’ Initiative will be an important part of the event, inviting participants to develop their own ideas. Former ECI organisers will also share their experience.

This event is in Italian (and English). Registration is open between 1 and 10 April. Read more details by clicking ‘more’ below.

Taking the initiative matters! Join us to discover how to make a difference with the European Citizens’ Initiative on Tuesday, 3 May 2022, 18:00 – 19:30 CET.

This webinar is for European citizens who want to find out about this unique participatory democracy tool. You can meet and interact with people who have started initiatives, ask your questions and more.

The webinar will be held in English. Registration is open below. The event will be recorded and included as part of the European Commission Open Days online. You can also visit the ECI stand at the physical Open Days in Brussels on 7 May.

Young people can shape the EU agenda with the European Citizens’ Initiative. Many young people are organisers of past and ongoing initiatives and for many, taking part in an ECI has been a life-changing experience. For the occasion of the European Year of Youth, we want to make more young people aware of their right to get involved with the European Citizens’ Initiative. That’s why information about the ECI can now be found on the policy initiatives section of the European Youth Portal.

Take part in the European Year of Youth by sharing this with the young people around you.

CitizenCentral puts a spotlight on the people behind European citizens’ initiatives. Organisers, policy experts and citizens share their views about the topics raised by various initiatives.

The most recent episode features the ‘Freedom to Share’ and ‘Right to Cure’ initiatives and intellectual property rights specialists.

Tune in and discover the podcast on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify, and SoundCloud.

If you enjoy CitizenCentral, you may also like other podcasts by the European Commission, including “Europe Calling” and “Food for Europe”.

We asked Daniela a few questions about her work as an ECI Ambassador and this is what she has to say:

“Democracy International believes that the European Union needs more direct citizens’ participation in political decision-making, and the European Citizens’ Initiative is the perfect starting point for increasing people power! I enjoy promoting and activating European democracy and citizenship by sharing the latest ECI news and regularly organising events, workshops and activities with ECI community members.

I am (positively) surprised to meet people all across the EU from all walks of life who are just as passionate and nerdy about European democracy as I am! At the same time, I find it challenging that there is not enough EU-wide media coverage about the ECI when there are great and positive stories to share.”

One tip for ECI organisers: “Start early, build a strong network, and find creative and effective ways to multiply your campaign message.”

Meet your ECI Ambassadors by clicking ‘more’ below.

A new blog post is waiting for you on the ECI Forum: explore why the organisers of "Reclaim Your Face" chose to launch a European citizens' initiative. Coordinator Ella Jakubowska talks about her approach and experience in the interview.

During the European Year of Youth, the ECI Forum will be a pivotal instrument to connect with young Europeans!

In March, ECAS (the European Citizens Action Service, managing the ECI Forum) explained the basics of the ECI and the opportunities provided by the ECI Forum during sessions with the Babes-Bolyai University (Romania), University of Wroclaw (Poland), Leiden University (Netherlands), and Universidade Lusófona (Portugal).

Would you like your university to host such a session too? Contact the ECI Forum via eciforum[at]ecas.org

Do you face the same incorrect statements about the European Citizens’ Initiative over and over while campaigning? Take a look at the Myths & Reality Factsheet on our Communication material page to combat misinformation. The reality behind six common myths is outlined and available in all EU languages.

Check out this and other factsheets by clicking ‘more’.

The EU stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine. Many citizens and organisations are taking direct action to assist and protect those fleeing the war. For information on the EU’s political, financial and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, click ‘more’ below.