European Citizens’ Initiative

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On 24 January, the European Commission registered two new citizens’ initiatives.

One titled ‘Ban on conversion practices in the European Union’ calls on the Commission to propose a ban on interventions aimed at changing, repressing or suppressing the sexual orientation, gender identity and/or gender expression of LGBTIQ+ citizens.

The second initiative, ‘European Citizens’ Initiative in Defence of Agriculture and Rural Economy in Europe’, requests the protection of European agriculture and rural economy through a regulatory framework. It also asks for the establishment of an EU Agency for Agriculture and Rural Economy.

Organisers have 6 months to open the initiative for signature collection, aiming to reach 1 million signatures of support.

On 10 January, organisers of the ‘Creation of a European Environment Authority’ citizens’ initiative started their 1-year signature collection period.

They call for the Commission to propose to set up a European Environment Authority as an independent authority with legal powers.

You can read more about its objectives on our website.

You have until midnight on 28 January to vote for your favorite student ideas in the ‘ImagineEU’ competition. You can vote 1 time on as many videos as you like. Following the public vote, the top 10 videos will be reviewed by a jury from the ECI community to determine the 3 winning teams.

Vote now and spread the word!

Polish citizens can now use eID (Profil Zaufany/mObywatel) to sign citizens’ initiatives. This makes it the 17th EU country to use an eID system to support initiatives.

Ever wondered how ECIs secure corporate funding, successfully build a coalition of NGOs, or communicate complex issues? Join us for an online World Café, where you can receive one-on-one advice and best practices from ECI organisers!

29 January, 16:00-17:15 CET

Want to learn more about communicating about the ECI as a participatory democracy tool and gaining social media traction about your own ECI? Tune in to the ECI Forum’s upcoming 1-hour webinar to learn how to develop your ECI communication strategy.

Come meet the ECI at the Vilnius Book Fair (Vilniaus Knygų Mugė)! Visitors can speak with the Lithuanian ECI national contact point and local ECI Ambassador and take part in activities. You can test your knowledge and share ideas for the ECI.

Find the ECI at the stand on the European elections.

The 2024 edition of Citizens' Initiative (ECI) Day will take place on Tuesday, 5 March in a completely new framework.

With the European elections in June setting the course for Europe's future, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is launching its first Civil Society Week (4-7 March) calling on people to Rise Up for Democracy!

More information about the event, and the ECI Day in particular, can be found on the #CivSocWeek webpage and on social media. Registration opens in the beginning of February.

Are you following the latest ECI community updates online? Join, post and engage with the ECI Facebook group today.

Planning to kick off a European citizens’ initiative or currently gathering signatures? Explore the success factors of the ‘Save Cruelty-Free Cosmetics’ ECI, which received over 1.2M signatures and met the minimum thresholds in a record-breaking 21 Member States. The Commission proposed several actions in their official reply in July 2023, marking a significant milestone for the initiative.

This is one of 8 success story resources available. Check it out.

Dive into the latest blog post and ‘meet & greet’video featuring Afryea Uiterloo and Rogier Vergouwen, the duo behind the initiative aiming to connect European capitals through high-speed rail. They discuss their experience organising an ECI.

You can also watch testimony from ‘Fur Free Europe’ (Elise Fleury) in the video.

Over the last four years, three-quarters of newly registered ECIs have received support from the ECI Forum. Explore the Forum’s latest blog post to uncover its evolution over the past four years and find out about the available guidance materials, tailored support, and more.

The ECI Forum proudly presents the new Welcome Package for European citizens’ initiative organisers! Dive into this go-to guide for navigating the ECI process, available in all 24 EU languages.

The EU has a central contact service and several networks across the EU that provide information, services and support. The ECI National Contact Points have been added to the ‘European Union around me’ map. Check out the services near you.

The applications for the 2024 edition of the European Charlemagne Youth Prize are open! Do you have any friends, EU residents and aged 16-30, working on youth-run projects that help change Europe? Tell them to apply and receive up to €7500!

The deadline is 12 February at midnight CET!

Apply now!