|
|
|
|
29 June 2022
|
|
|
European Citizens’ Initiative
Newsletter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Highlights
|
|
Read this newsletter in all official EU languages!
|
Dear readers,
This newsletter has a new feature – automatic machine translation into 23 EU languages! Want to switch languages? Click here to select the language of your choice at the top of the page. Make sure to look for the icon similar to the picture here.
Thanks for keeping in mind this is machine-generated and a few technical bugs are still being worked out!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
News
|
|
1 initiative registered and 3 closed for signatures in June
|
|
|
|
|
|
European citizens’ initiatives feed policy proposal on pesticides use
|
On 22 June the Commission made a proposal for renewed pesticides rules to meet the goal of reducing by 50% the use and risk of chemical pesticides by 2030. It drew inspiration, among others, from two European citizens’ initiatives (each with more than 1 million signatures) and citizens’ proposals at the Conference on the Future of Europe, mentioned in the proposal's foreword.
These were, on one hand, the successful 2017 ‘Ban glyphosate and protect people and the environment from toxic pesticides’ initiative with a view for a pesticide-free future, and on another, the initiative ‘Save bees and farmers! Towards a bee-friendly agriculture for a healthy environment’ (under verification of signatures by Member States authorities) aiming to phase out synthetic pesticides in EU agriculture by 2035.
Watch the recording of the press conference by clicking ‘more’.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Belgium – the fifth country to allow supporting ECIs below the age of 18
|
Minimum age to support European citizens’ initiatives corresponds to the age to be entitled to vote in elections to the European Parliament. Belgium has lowered the minimum voting age for these elections from 18 to 16 for all EU citizens living in the country. This measure will enter into force on 1 May 2023. As of this moment, young people aged 16-18 will also be able to support European citizens’ initiatives.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New update of the Central Online Collection System
|
The Central Online Collection System has new features to improve functionality for ECI organisers. The sample social media messages have more formatting options, and the initiatives’ logos can be displayed in Facebook messages. In addition, organisers can easily download the latest metrics, find translations added in the user feedback pages and there is better guidance for citizens entering an incorrect postal code.
Finally, feedback shared in a survey by people supporting the initiatives will allow the Commission to prepare other future improvements. The majority of open initiatives use COCS, and all new initiatives registered from 1 January 2023 will be required to use it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Status of support per Initiative – Congratulations for reaching milestones!
|
The organisers of European citizens’ initiatives are obliged to inform the European Commission of the number of collected statements of support (both online and on paper) at least every two months. This information is then made visible on our website.
Congratulations to those organisers whose initiatives reached certain milestones recently:
|
|
|
|
|
ECI Day 2022 highlights
|
The 2022 edition of the ECI Day, organised by the European Economic and Social Committee and its partners on 2 June, focused on the theme "European Citizens' Initiative 10 years on: ready for the future?".
The workshop on the Central Online Collection System (COCS) allowed to present new features of the COCS and to collect feedback from users and stakeholders for the continuous improvement of the system. The workshop on 'Successful initiatives: when NGOs across the EU unite for a common cause' gave several insights into civil society's engagement with the ECI.
Read more in the conclusions prepared by the European Economic and Social Committee, or watch the full recording.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Events
|
|
Meet the ECI in France!
|
The ECI is being featured at several festivals in France this summer!
If you’re in Marseille for the Delta festival - a three-day music, sport, and arts festival – you can visit the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) stand and learn more about how to actively get involved in participatory democracy in the EU. Come meet ECI Ambassadors from Mouvement Europeen and Democratie Ouverte who will share their experience and answer your questions, challenge your friends to the ECI quiz, and learn how the ECI can help you have a say on issues that matter for Europe and the world.
The ECI will also be present at the European Commission’s stands at the Les Eurokeennes (Belfort, 30 June – 3 July), Vieilles Charrues (Carhaix, Bretagne, 14-17 July), and Rock En Seine (Saint-Cloud, Île-de-France, 25-28 August) festivals.
|
|
|
|
![](https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom//img/newsletter/generic/spacer.gif) |
![](https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom//img/newsletter/generic/spacer.gif) |
|
date |
|
29/06/2022 - 03/07/2022
|
![](https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom//img/newsletter/generic/spacer.gif) |
|
|
|
|
|
Upcoming ECI Forum webinar – effective campaigning
|
Interested in learning how to do effective campaigning during challenging times due to external circumstances?
Join us online Wednesday, 6 July as communication expert, John Holland, and ECI organiser from ‘Stop Finning – Stop the Trade’ , Nils Kluger, share their expertise and experiences. Starting at 12:30 CET – this webinar lasts 1 hr 15 min.
To register to this webinar please send an email to: ECIforum@ecas.org
Find further information on the webinar by clicking ‘more’ below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The ECI is coming to Denmark and the Netherlands!
|
Mark your calendars for two more opportunities to meet the ECI in person this summer! Currently confirmed opportunities include: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Take the Initiative campaign
|
|
New podcast series in preparation - share your views!
|
With 7 episodes released in season 1 and production for season 2 kicking off, we invite you to share your views on the 'CitizenCentral' podcast. This survey takes approximately 8-10 minutes and is open until 15 July – click more below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From the ECI Forum
|
|
|
Learn
|
|
Updated infographic: Data from the ECI
|
The ECI Forum has updated an infographic where you can find interesting facts and figures on citizens’ initiatives between 2012 and 2022, their organisers (country of origin and residence, age) or funding.
For instance, did you know that more than 1.4 million people - in Germany, France and Italy alone -signed ECIs through the Central Online Collection System between January 2020 and May 2022? Find more figures in the PDF by clicking ‘more’.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If this Newsletter was forwarded to you and you would like to receive it directly you can subscribe. You can unsubscribe here. The European Citizens’ Initiative Forum Moderation Privacy policy is applicable to the e-newsletter service. It is available here.
|
The European Commission is committed to personal data protection. Any personal data is processed in line with the Regulation (EU) 2018/1725. Please read the privacy statement
|
|
|
|