Choose your language / Choisissez votre langue / Wählen Sie Ihre Sprache (12/12/2024)

Pour lire le bulletin en français, sur la nouvelle page, cliquez sur l’icône du globe (en haut de la page) pour sélectionner la traduction française.

11th successful citizens’ initiative submitted to Commission (12/12/2024)

The European citizens’ initiative Cohesion policy for the equality of the regions and sustainability of the regional cultures’ has become the 11th valid initiative submitted to the European Commission, successfully gathering over 1.2 million signatures, with minimum thresholds reached in eight EU countries. The Commission will provide its official response by 4 September 2025.

ECI Organisers meet Commission representatives (13/12/2024)

Organisers of the ‘Cohesion policy for the equality of the regions and sustainability of regional cultures’ initiative were received by Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto on 25 March 2025, to present the objectives of their initiative. This meeting marks an important step in the examination process, with the next one being a public hearing at the European Parliament. Stay tuned!

Check out the photo news.

Happy Anniversary, ECI! (13/12/2024)

On 1 April, we celebrate the anniversary of the European Citizens' Initiative! Since the ECI rules came into effect on this day in 2012, citizens across Europe have raised their voices with 119 new initiatives. Join us in marking another year of empowering EU democracy.

Learn more about the ECI's journey, and check out these key figures.

Initiative updates: Status of support per initiative (13/12/2024)

To be considered by the European Commission, citizens’ initiatives require 1 million valid signatures, and minimum thresholds reached in 7 EU countries.

Several initiatives reached the following significant milestones.

Apply now: CERV funding available for citizen engagement projects (26/06/2024)

Looking for EU funding to support your project on citizen engagement, protecting diversity and civil rights, or empowering democratic participation? The Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme has launched a new call for proposals. Submit your grant application by 29 April 2025.

It’s a wrap! ECI Day: Empowering change (18/03/2025)

ECI Day, held on 18 March during EESC Civil Society Week 2025, featured insightful panel discussions and interactive workshops. The event provided an opportunity for current initiatives to present their work and engage with participants, sparking ideas for future civic action. Attendees encouraged EU institutions to strengthen their support and maintain transparent dialogue to help ECIs effectively reach their goals.

Read the EESC press release and check out these photos from the day.

Webinar recap: Building effective ECI campaigns (26/06/2024)

Missed our February webinar on Understanding Campaign Structures for Effective European Citizens’ Initiative? Watch this recording or read our latest blog post to discover practical role allocation strategies for transnational campaigns.

Master the ECI: Essential skills for a successful initiative (26/06/2024)

Join our online course on Essential Skills for ECI Organisers. or read our Guided by expert tutors, this interactive course covers all the key aspects of a successful initiative, from Commission competences, registration, campaigning, and signature collection to data protection, fundraising, advocacy, and building a pan-European support network.

Interested in launching an initiative? Don’t miss our webinar on the ECI Beginner’s Guide, coming in May! Stay tuned on the ECI Forum for more details.

Discover inspiring success stories on the ECI Forum (26/06/2024)

Take a deep dive into three successful initiatives featured on the ECI Forum. Learn about the impact and strategies of Fur Free Europe, Save Cruelty Free Cosmetics and Stop Finning – Stop the Trade.

Empower your Campus: Explore the European Citizens’ Initiative! (26/06/2024)

Are you a student or professor eager to learn how the ECI can empower EU citizens? Invite us to your university to give an engaging presentation contact us today to schedule a session and get involved!

New blog on Europe's water emergency: Initiative demanding clean water action (26/06/2024)

The ECI for a Water-Smart and Resilient Europe calls for stronger EU measures to protect water resources, tackle pollution, and improve access to clean water.

Find out more in this blog post by initiative organiser Piotr Sadowski.

Spread the word about the ECI on Europe Day! (26/06/2024)

Europe Day, celebrated on 9 May, is a great opportunity to promote the European Citizens’ Initiative. Check out our communication materials available in all official EU languages, including our Advocacy Handbook, which summarises everything you need to know.

Consultation on funding for EU values, civil society and more (26/06/2024)

Citizens, businesses and stakeholders are invited by the European Commission to share their views on the future of the EU’s long-term budget, particularly on priorities such as EU values, civil society, justice, education, external action, and other key areas, to ensure optimal use of funds from 2028 onwards.

#HaveyourSay on these and other topics through simple online questionnaires, available in 24 EU languages!

Choose your language / Choisissez votre langue / Wählen Sie Ihre Sprache (12/12/2024)

Pour lire le bulletin en français, sur la nouvelle page, cliquez sur l’icône du globe (en haut de la page) pour sélectionner la traduction française.

Initiative updates: Status of support per initiative (13/12/2024)

To be considered by the European Commission, citizens’ initiatives require 1 million valid signatures, and minimum thresholds reached in 7 EU countries.

Several initiatives reached the following significant milestones.

Updates to the online collection system (24/02/2025)

The European Commission is regularly improving the central online collection system, offered to ECI organisers free of charge for collecting signatures online. In a recent update, BlueSky has been added to the list of social media platforms that organisers can choose to invite signatories to follow their initiative.

HAPPENING on 25/2 (TOMORROW): Understanding Campaign Structures for Effective ECIs (webinar) (25/02/2025)

In this 1-hour webinar, hosted by the ECI Forum, you can learn about the different campaigning strategies for ECIs, from centralised teams to coalition-based approaches. Join the organisers of ongoing ECIs, such as ‘My Voice, My Choice’ and 'Psychedelicare', to learn how to optimise your initiative’s results.

ECI Day 2025: coming up on 18 March! (18/03/2025)

The next edition of the traditional European Citizens´ Initiative (ECI) Day will take place on Tuesday 18 March 2025 as part of the Civil Society Week, organised by the European Economic and Social Committee under the title ‘Strengthening cohesion and participation in polarised societies’.

ECI Facebook Group – help us reach 2,000 members! (20/02/2025)

The ECI Facebook group has over 1,900 members - let's go for 2,000! As a member of the group, you can exchange with other citizens and ECI organisers on all matters related to the ECI; you can also get the latest updates on what various ECI communicators, from all around the EU, are doing.

Make sure you have joined and invite 3 friends to join today!

Welcome to new ECI Ambassadors! (21/02/2025)

The ECI Ambassadors spread the word about the ECI in their local context and empower citizens to make use of their EU citizenship rights.

Recently, the ECI Ambassadors network welcomed three new members:

The PEACE Formula: How 'My Voice, My Choice' reached over 1 million signatures (21/02/2025)

What does it take to run a successful European Citizens’ Initiative? Martina Rubino, campaigner for 'My Voice, My Choice' ECI, shares the strategic insights behind their groundbreaking campaign, which secured over 1.1 million signatures well ahead of the deadline.

Check how the revamped ECI Forum empowers EU citizens to launch new ECIs (21/02/2025)

The blog from the ECI Forum introduces the latest features of its revamped website, designed for a smoother user experience.

Have your say on the future EU Budget! (20/02/2025)

The Have Your Say portal is a one stop shop for all citizen engagement tools managed by the European Commission, including the ECI. Via this portal, the Commission invites Europeans to share their ideas for the next multiannual EU budget (post-2027).

Join the online debate on the Citizens’ Engagement Platform to ensure your insights inform the Citizens’ Panel on this topic.

Choose your language / Choisissez votre langue / Wählen Sie Ihre Sprache (27/01/2025)

Pour lire le bulletin en français, sur la nouvelle page, cliquez sur l’icône du globe (en haut de la page) pour sélectionner la traduction française.

New initiative registered (28/01/2025)

The HouseEurope! Power to Renovation initiative was registered on 21 January. It calls on the Commission to propose legislation that creates incentives to renovate and transform existing buildings.

It will be open for signatures on 31 January.

Open for signature collection (13/12/2024)

The organisers of the European citizens’ initiative ‘PsychedeliCare’ started their 12-month collection period on 14 January 2025. They collected over 10,000 signatures in the first two weeks.

This initiative calls for fostering equitable, timely, affordable, safe, and legal access to innovative psychedelic-assisted therapies.

Prepare your grant applications: CERV funding open (27/01/2025)

Are you looking for EU funding for a project related to citizens' engagement, safeguarding diversity and civil rights or empowering citizens in democratic life, among other topics?

The Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme is an EU funding programme that recently opened a new citizens engagement call. The deadline to submit your application is 29 April 2025.

The revamped ECI Forum website is live! (28/01/2025)

The European Citizens’ Initiative Forum has been redesigned to better meet the needs of organisers at every step of the process – from preparing their initiative for registration to its verification and examination. The updated platform offers streamlined navigation, thematic guidance, success stories, and expert advice to make your ECI journey smoother and more accessible.

Ask an ECI Forum Expert for advice (28/01/2025)

Planning to launch a European Citizens' Initiative? The ECI Forum provides free, personalised guidance on legal matters, campaigning or fundraising – available in your preferred EU language.

New guidance note: How to report financial support (27/01/2025)

Not sure where to begin when it comes to financial reporting for your ECI? Our new guidance note covers everything you need to know – from declaring sponsors and updating funds to maintaining transparency. Stay compliant and build trust with clear reporting practices.

Read two new blog posts (27/01/2025)

What donors look for in European citizens' initiatives and how to secure their support Learn how to attract financial support for your ECI! From aligning with donor values to crafting detailed budgets and clear communication plans, this blog dives into strategies for securing funding and building trust with donors.

Did you know...? EU around me map (28/01/2025)

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.

2024 in review (12/12/2024)

Another year has passed quickly for the European Citizens’ Initiative. There were 11 new citizens’ initiatives registered, 10 which opened for signature collection and at least 2.3 million signatures of support collected across all the open initiatives!

The Commission has further worked on the follow-up to 4 ECIs that were answered in 2023.

Welcoming the new European Commission (12/12/2024)

The von der Leyen II Commission took office on 1 December 2024 for the next 5 years. The European Citizens’ Initiative is included in the portfolio of the Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security; Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency, Maroš Šefčovič.

Follow-up to the ‘Stop Finning – Stop the Trade’ ECI on sharks (13/12/2024)

Since July 2023, the Commission has taken several steps announced in its reply to this citizens’ initiative. For example, an additional 13 customs codes were created. These will allow, as of January 2025, for collection of import and export data for both carcasses and fins of the most caught and traded shark species.

eID activated for Danish ECI supporters (13/12/2024)

Danish citizens can now use their eID (‘MitID’) to support European citizens' initiatives online. Denmark is the 19th EU country enabling the use of a national eID system for signing citizens' initiatives.

Check the status for all EU countries.

Updated Step-by-Step infographic (13/12/2024)

Recent updates to the ‘Step-by-Step' infographic. (helping people visualise the ECI process) are now published on the ECI communication materials page. In addition to making some parts more visually accessible, a QR code to the ECI website has been added.

New blog: Key to ECI success: Preparation, collaboration, and strategic campaigning (12/12/2024)

Successful citizens’ initiatives require thorough preparation, from building a diverse organisers' group to aligning your proposal with EU priorities and running a long-term campaign. The insights from a recent ECI Forum’s webinar highlight how the ECI Forum can help you navigate the process and maximise your impact at the EU level.

Initiative updates: Status of support per initiative (21/11/2024)

To be considered by the European Commission, citizens’ initiatives require 1 million valid signatures, and minimum thresholds reached in 7 EU countries.

Follow-up: ‘Fur Free Europe’ ECI (21/11/2024)

The Commission replied to the ‘Fur Free Europe’ initiative in December 2023. Since then, there has been a lot of follow-up work to this answered citizens’ initiative.

On-site visits to fur farms to explore the ‘One Health’ controls in place happened in Finland (March) and more recently in Poland (September) and Spain (October).

15th Anniversary of the Treaty of Lisbon (21/11/2024)

Looking for a way to promote the European Citizens’ Initiative?

The 15th Anniversary of the Treaty of Lisbon is coming up on 1 December.

The Treaty introduced a right to “citizens’ initiative” in 2009, paving a way for the ECI to be born (it became operational in April 2012). Since the ECI started, more than 20 million signatures have been collected in support of more than 100 citizens’ initiatives.

New ECI communication materials (21/11/2024)

New video resources are available featuring ECI Ambassadors and a National Contact Point. They tell us why they support the European Citizens’ Initiative and invite others to take part. We’d like to thank them for getting involved!

Find the videos with subtitles in all official EU languages on the communication materials page of the ECI website.

New blog: Building momentum – the funding and strategy behind the ‘My Voice, My Choice’ initiative (21/11/2024)

Discover the behind-the-scenes efforts of the ‘My Voice, My Choice’ initiative, aiming to facilitate access to safe and legal abortion across the EU. This blog dives into the funding sources, strategic planning, and coalition-building driving its impressive progress towards 1 million signatures.

Forum online course (21/11/2024)

Are you planning to launch a European citizens' initiative? The ECI Forum offers a free online course, "Essential Skills for European Citizens’ Initiative Organisers". Learn from experts on how to get your initiative registered and successfully collect one million signatures for your ECI.

ECI Ambassadors: Activate your inspiration (21/11/2024)

Throughout the year, ECI Ambassadors spread the word about the ECI in their local context. Over the next few months, we’ll be sharing examples so you can get inspired to #EUTakeTheInitiative!

New ECI Ambassadors: Welcome! (21/11/2024)

We’ve welcomed three new ECI Ambassadors to our network recently. The ECI Ambassadors help make information about the ECI available at national and local levels and they empower citizens to make use of their EU citizenship rights.

Communication tip: messages that matter (23/10/2024)

When was the last time you encouraged someone to visit the European Citizens’ Initiative website?

Tip: remind people to visit the homepage a few times a year to review the open citizens’ initiatives. Each initiative has 1 year to collect signatures, so frequent visits make sure you don’t miss your chance to support an initiative of interest. Use your right - support citizens’ initiatives.

Choose your language / Choisissez votre langue / Wählen Sie Ihre Sprache (23/10/2024)

Pour lire le bulletin en français, sur la nouvelle page, cliquez sur l’icône du globe (en haut de la page) pour sélectionner la traduction française.

Lesen Sie den Newsletter auf Deutsch. Wählen Sie auf der neuen Seite (oben) das Globus-Symbol aus, um die deutsche Übersetzung auszuwählen.

A kind reminder: this newsletter has automatic machine translation into 23 EU languages. Want to switch languages? Select the language of your choice at the top of this page. Thanks for keeping in mind this is machine generated.

Open for signatures (23/10/2024)

On 23 October ‘ECI for a Water-Smart and Resilient Europe’ started collecting signatures.

The initiative organisers aim to create an action plan for water by elevating water resilience to the same priority as decarbonisation. They focus on water-efficient industry and agriculture, skills for a water-smart economy and the right to clean and safe water and sanitation.

Initiative updates: Status of support per initiative (23/10/2024)

To be considered by the European Commission, citizens’ initiatives require 1 million valid signatures, and minimum thresholds reached in 7 EU countries.

Several initiatives reached the following significant milestones.

• Over 675,000:

  - My Voice, My Choice: For Safe and Accessible Abortion (deadline: April 2025)

• Over 370,000:

  - Stop Destroying Videogames (deadline: July 2025)

• Over 130,000:

  - Ban on conversion practices in the European Union (deadline: May 2025)

• Over 20,000:

  - Trust and Freedom (closing soon: 28 November 2024)

Visit our website to learn more about all ongoing initiatives.

Share your feedback on this newsletter! (23/10/2024)

We want to provide you with a useful newsletter and hear your views on it.

Give us your feedback by 27 October!

The survey takes less than 5 minutes and is available in all EU languages.

New ECI communication materials featured in multilingual webinar (23/10/2024)

New resources – especially the ‘ECI Advocacy Handbook’ – are available on the communication materials page of the ECI website. The ‘Advocacy Handbook’ was a key feature of a multilingual webinar given to local and regional authorities on 17 October. The webinar presented tools of citizen engagement at EU level, including resources to make the European Citizens’ Initiative better known.

Tip: ECI communication materials are available in all official EU languages. Change the language next to the search bar.

ECI Ambassadors: Activate your inspiration (23/10/2024)

Throughout the year, ECI Ambassadors spread the word about the ECI in their local context. Over the next few months, we’ll be sharing examples so you can get inspired to #EUTakeTheInitiative!

The EESC brings the European Citizens’ Initiative outside Brussels (24/10/2024)

On 4 October, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) Ad hoc Group on the ECI organised a debate on "The European Citizens’ Initiative – State of play in Croatia" in Zagreb.

New ECI Ambassadors: Welcome! (23/10/2024)

We’ve welcomed four new ECI Ambassadors to our network recently.

All the new members come from the Europe Direct Centres network.

ECI at the Vienna Book Fair (Austria) (20/11/2024)

During the Vienna Book Fair “Buch Wien” in Austria visitors can learn about the European Citizens’ Initiative.

Join ECI Ambassadors from Austria, share your ideas and take part in activities!

We look forward to seeing you there.

ECI Forum webinar recording (23/10/2024)

Did you miss the ECI Forum’s webinar on 22 October? No problem - the recording is available!

The ECI Forum discussed ‘What to consider before using the ECI to achieve your goals’. They examined the European Citizens’ Initiative, its impact, and how it differs from other democratic mechanisms such as petitions, consultations, and citizen assemblies. Watch the recording.

New blog: Summer workshop generates new ideas (23/10/2024)

Mascha, a social work student from the University of Applied Sciences Landshut, and Nikos, a medical student at LMU Munich, met at the 2024 Summer Academy's "Civic Engagement on the EU-level" workshop. In the ECI Forum’s latest blog, they discuss the ECI and the importance of active participation in shaping EU policy.

Read why you should ‘be bold’ according to them.

Choose your language / Choisissez votre langue / Wählen Sie Ihre Sprache (25/09/2024)

Pour lire le bulletin en français, sur la nouvelle page, cliquez sur l’icône du globe (en haut de la page) pour sélectionner la traduction française.

Lesen Sie den Newsletter auf Deutsch. Wählen Sie auf der neuen Seite (oben) das Globus-Symbol aus, um die deutsche Übersetzung auszuwählen.

A kind reminder: this newsletter has automatic machine translation into 23 EU languages. Want to switch languages? Select the language of your choice at the top of this page. Thanks for keeping in mind this is machine generated.

New initiative registered (25/09/2024)

The Commission registered two new citizens’ initiatives on 11 September.

ECI for a Water-Smart and Resilient Europe aims to create an action plan for water by elevating water resilience to the same priority as decarbonisation. The organisers focus on water-efficient industry and agriculture, skills for a water-smart economy and the right to clean and safe water and sanitation.

Open for signatures (25/09/2024)

On 21 September, the initiative ‘Stop Fake Food: origin on the label’ started collecting signatures. Organisers call for measures that ensure European consumers’ access to transparent information about the food they buy, as well as clear and explicit labelling of the origin for all products.

Open for signatures (25/09/2024)

‘Stop Cruelty Stop Slaughter’ started collecting signatures on 24 September. Organisers ask for incentives for producing plant proteins, including plant-based milk and egg substitutes, as well as cultivated meat.

You can check all initiatives collecting signatures on the ECI website.

Commission follow-up to successful ECI ‘Save Cruelty Free Cosmetics’ (25/09/2024)

On 17 September, the European Commission published a call for evidence on animal testing in chemical safety assessments and its roadmap to phase it out.

The development this roadmap is one of the commitments made by the European Commission in response to the ECI ‘Save Cruelty-Free Cosmetics – Commit to a Europe without animal testing’. The roadmap should include milestones and specific actions to further reduce animal testing and ultimately transition to an animal-free regulatory system under relevant pieces of chemical legislation.

In addition, outreach to stakeholders continues through a series of workshops (in December 2023, October 2024 and May 2025).

Initiative updates: Status of support per initiative (25/09/2024)

To be considered by the European Commission, citizens’ initiatives require 1 million valid signatures, and minimum thresholds reached in 7 EU countries.

Several initiatives reached the following significant milestones.

• Over 580,000:

  - My Voice, My Choice: For Safe and Accessible Abortion (deadline: April 2025)

• Over 360,000:

  - Stop Destroying Videogames (deadline: July 2025)

• Over 320,000:

  - Taxing great wealth to finance the ecological and social transition (closing soon! 9 October 2024)

• Over 100,000:

  - Ban on conversion practices in the European Union (deadline: May 2025)

Visit our website to learn more about all ongoing initiatives.

Share your feedback on this newsletter! (25/09/2024)

We want to provide you with a useful newsletter and hear your views on it. Give us your feedback today!

The survey takes less than 5 minutes and is available in all EU languages.

ECI at European Week of Regions and Cities (08/10/2024)

The European Commission is hosting a European Citizens’ Initiative stand at the European Week of Regions and Cities from 8 to 10 October in Brussels.

The ECI is an interesting way to ‘level up’ action for citizens who are already active at local or regional level. Stop by to find out how regional authorities can empower citizens in their area to be active in the EU.

Check out the full programme.

The EESC organises a debate on the ECI in Croatia (04/10/2024)

On 4 October 2024, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) will hold a debate on "The European Citizens’ Initiative – State of play in Croatia". The objective of the debate is to listen to and discuss with local stakeholders their experience, views and ideas, especially on the visibility of and awareness about the ECI in Croatia.

Timing: 09:30-12:00

New and revamped: Communication materials page (25/09/2024)

Head over to the Commission’s ‘Communication Materials’ page to access the latest resources for spreading the word about the ECI. The new ‘ECI Advocacy Handbook’ summarises the resources available to get started and sample messages. There are also new images for social media and a new comedy quiz.

The page, as well as the resources, is available in all official EU languages. You can change your language next to the search bar.

ECI Ambassadors present at Europe Direct Centres webinar (25/09/2024)

Speaking of spreading the word – two ECI Ambassadors, who also work at Europe Direct Centres in Malta and Slovakia, recently presented their work on the ECI at a webinar for their peers. Leanne (from ED Valetta) and Monika (from ED Banskobystrický región) spoke about how they have incorporated information about the ECI into their daily work with students, researchers, festivalgoers, and all people they encounter.

Thank you for helping make the ECI better known!

ECI Ambassador spotlight: Meet the European Youth Parliament Austria (25/09/2024)

Over the summer, several new ECI Ambassadors joined our network. We asked the European Youth Parliament (EYP) in Austria to share more about their work and why they help promote the ECI.

“EYP Austria is dedicated to empowering young people to become active and engaged citizens within Europe. Our goal is to foster a sense of European identity and encourage youth participation in democratic processes. The ECI aligns perfectly with our mission by providing a tangible tool for citizens to directly influence EU policy. We have integrated information about the ECI into our events and workshops and we share updates, success stories, and calls to action on our social media. We've developed user-friendly materials and interactive sessions that demystify the ECI process. Being an ECI Ambassador allows us to further embody our commitment to empowering young people to become informed and engaged citizens.”

You can meet EYP Austria and Europe Direct Carinthia, who are also ECI Ambassadors, in person at the Vienna Book Fair, 20-24 November.

Meet all the ECI Ambassadors.

Challenge yourself to the ECI organisers course (25/09/2024)

Are you planning to launch a European Citizens' Initiative?

The ECI Forum offers a free online course, "Essential Skills for European Citizens’ Initiative Organisers". Learn from experts on how to get your initiative registered and successfully collect one million signatures for your ECI. Check out the course.

New blog: Summer workshop generates new ideas (25/09/2024)

At the ‘Summer Academy’ in Germany, the ECI Forum team highlighted the power of the European Citizens’ Initiative as a tool for EU-level citizen participation, empowering participants to propose legislative change.

Check out the new ideas proposed by the participants during the ECI simulation.

Follow #EURights on LinkedIn (25/09/2024)

Did you know that your right to take part in the ECI is just one of many rights you have as an EU citizen? Follow the latest updates on how the European Commission is working to ensure the rights of EU citizens and consumers on this LinkedIn page.

Choose your language / Choisissez votre langue / Wählen Sie Ihre Sprache (27/08/2024)

Lire le bulletin en français. Sur la nouvelle page (en haut de la page) cliquez sur l’icône du globe pour sélectionner la traduction française.

Lesen Sie den Newsletter auf Deutsch. Wählen Sie auf der neuen Seite (oben) das Globus-Symbol aus, um die deutsche Übersetzung auszuwählen.

A kind reminder: this newsletter has automatic machine translation into 23 EU languages. Want to switch languages? Select the language of your choice at the top of this page. Thanks for keeping in mind this is machine generated.

New blog posts (27/08/2024)

How could taxing the wealthiest Europeans support social policies and the ecological transition?

Read the ECI Forum’s latest blog post to learn more about the vision behind the #TaxTheRich initiative, as told by the organisers themselves.

Speaking of insights into running an ECI, check out recommendations from experts during a recent webinar regarding digital tools, building strong partnerships, and adapting strategies to local contexts.

Data protection and the European citizens' initiative (27/08/2024)

If you are involved in organising a citizens’ initiative and collect signatures on paper, you will find yourself in possession of the personal data of people who support your initiative. These data are subject to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and this means that you are responsible for them. You should make sure that you know what your responsibilities are.

Check out our FAQ section to make sure you are fully compliant.

ECI at European Week of Regions and Cities (08/10/2024)

The European Commission is hosting a European Citizens’ Initiative stand at the European Week of Regions and Cities from 8 to 10 October in Brussels.

The ECI is an interesting way to ‘level up’ action for citizens who are already active at local or regional level. Stop by to find out how regional authorities can empower citizens in their area to be active in the EU.

Check out the full programme.

Updated Guide to the ECI (27/08/2024)

The 5th edition of the Guide to the European citizens’ initiative is now available! Recent examples of follow-up actions on successful citizens’ initiatives are included, among other updates.

You can download the guide in all official EU languages from the EU’s Publications Office.

Check out additional communication materials on the ECI website.

Back-to-school with the ECI (27/08/2024)

Do you know a teacher looking for inspiring materials to use in the classroom this school year? Share the ‘EU Democracy in Action – Have Your Say with the European Citizens’ Initiative’ toolkit with them!

Comprised of four lessons, these resources equip secondary school students with the knowledge and skills needed to be more engaged EU citizens. Materials are available in all official EU languages on the ECI website.

Everyone else is also welcome to kickstart the new academic season with the ECI Forum’s online course ’Essential Skills for European Citizens’ Initiative Organisers’! Learn from experts on how to get your initiative registered and successfully collect one million signatures for your ECI.

Seek advice with the ECI Forum (27/08/2024)

Are you planning to launch a European citizens' initiative?

The ECI Forum offers free, personalised guidance on legal issues, campaigning, fundraising, and more - all in your preferred EU language. Receive tailored advice from our independent experts within just eight working days.

Blog post: 2024 infographic analysis (27/08/2024)

Did you know that Malta has the highest per capita engagement among all Member States?

Discover more insights in the ECI Forum's data-driven analysis of trends, demographics, and the factors contributing to the success of ECIs across Europe. If you’re looking to understand how to maximise engagement and tailor your campaign strategy, this resource is essential reading.

Two new initiatives registered (27/08/2024)

The Commission registered two citizens’ initiatives on 24 July. They will be available to support soon.

'Stop Cruelty Stop Slaughter' calls for incentives for producing plant proteins, including plant-based milk and egg substitutes, as well as cultivated meat. The organisers also call for reducing the number of farm animals and progressively closing all animal farms.

'Stop Fake Food: Origin on label' calls for measures that ensure European consumers’ access to transparent information about the food they buy, as well as clear and explicit labelling of the origin for all products and for adherence to environmental, health and labour standards in the internal market.

Signature thresholds changed: New minimum numbers (27/08/2024)

With the start of the 2024-29 European parliamentary term on 16 July 2024, the revised Annex I to the ECI Regulation became applicable. It sets out new minimum numbers of signatories needed per Member State called ‘thresholds’. A successful ECI must reach at least seven thresholds as part of the 1 million statements of support. These thresholds are linked to the number of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), which increased from 705 to 720 in the new term.

These new minimum numbers apply to ECIs registered by the Commission on or after 16 July 2024. The new minimum numbers do not apply to ECIs registered before 16 July 2024 for which the previous thresholds continue to apply.

Initiative updates: Status of support per Initiative (27/08/2024)

To be considered by the European Commission, citizens’ initiatives require 1 million valid signatures, and minimum thresholds reached in 7 EU countries.

Several initiatives reached the following significant milestones.

• Over 540,000:

  - My Voice, My Choice: For Safe and Accessible Abortion (deadline: April 2025)

• Over 320,000:

  - Stop Destroying Videogames (deadline: July 2025)

• Over 270,000:

  - Taxing great wealth to finance the ecological and social transition (deadline: October 2024)

• Over 90,000:

  - Ban on conversion practices in the European Union (deadline: May 2025)

• Over 20,000:

  - Trust and Freedom (deadline: November 2024)

Visit our website to learn more about all ongoing initiatives.

Share your feedback on this newsletter! (27/08/2024)

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With more than 150,000 subscribers – this newsletter keeps growing. Give us your feedback today!

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Updates: Follow-up to successful initiatives (27/08/2024)

Following the July 2023 reply of the European Commission to the ‘Save Cruelty-Free Cosmetics’ citizens’ initiative, a second workshop on the ‘Roadmap towards phasing out animal testing for chemical safety assessments’ is planned on Friday, 25 October 2024.

More information on the hybrid workshop and registration will be available in September. Read the details of workshop 1.

Follow-up to the ‘Save bees and farmers’ initiative: The Nature Restoration Law entered into force on 18 August 2024. It sets binding targets to restore degraded ecosystems across the EU’s land and sea areas.

Open for signatures – 'Stop Destroying Videogames' (27/08/2024)

On 31 July, the initiative 'Stop Destroying Videogames' started collecting signatures. Organisers call on the Commission to require publishers of video games to leave the games in a functional state once support for the game ends.

Many members of the gaming community have mobilised behind the initiative, with the signature threshold already reached in several Member States.

Choose your language / Choisissez votre langue / Wählen Sie Ihre Sprache (27/05/2024)

Lire le bulletin en français. Cliquez sur le bouton 'more' ci-dessous, puis sur la nouvelle page (en haut de la page) cliquez sur l’icône du globe pour sélectionner la traduction française.

Lesen Sie den Newsletter auf Deutsch. Klicken Sie unten auf die Schaltfläche ‘more’ und wählen Sie dann auf der neuen Seite das Globus-Symbol aus, um die deutsche Übersetzung auszuwählen.

A kind reminder: this newsletter has automatic machine translation into 23 EU languages. Want to switch languages? Click ‘more’ and select the language of your choice at the top of the page. Thanks for keeping in mind this is machine generated.

Two new initiatives registered (26/06/2024)

The Commission registered two citizens’ initiatives on 19 June. They will be available to support soon.

Stop Destroying Videogames calls on the Commission to require publishers of video games to leave the games in a functional state once support for the game ends. Currently, when support is withdrawn, gamers lose access, whether they have finished playing or not.

Air quotas calls for a citizens’ carbon quota mechanism in each country that would encourage businesses to decarbonise through consumer demand. The organisers consider that it should cover all purchases of goods and services, starting with air transport.

Follow the link to find out more about these and other initiatives currently looking for support.

Initiative updates: Status of support per Initiative (26/06/2024)

To be considered by the European Commission, citizens’ initiatives require 1 million valid signatures. Several initiatives reached the following significant milestones:

Over 525,000: My Voice, My Choice: For Safe and Accessible Abortion (deadline: April 2025).

Over 200,000: Taxing great wealth to finance the ecological and social transition (deadline: October 2024).

Over 50,000: Ban on conversion practices in the European Union (deadline: May 2025).

Over 20,000:

• Article 4: Stop torture and inhuman treatment at Europe’s borders (closing soon: 10 July 2024).
• Trust and Freedom (deadline: November 2024).

Visit our website to learn more about all ongoing initiatives.

‘Stop Finning. Stop the Trade’ – follow-up (26/06/2024)

The Commission’s public consultation on ‘Better protecting sharks through sustainable fishing and trade’, related to the ‘Stop Finning. Stop the Trade’ successful ECI, closed on 4 June with 3,455 contributions. Targeted stakeholder consultations continue, including an event on 9 July, in Vigo (Spain). Click ‘More’ for details.

Meet the ECI in Slovakia at Pohoda Festival (11/07/2024)

The ECI is coming to Slovakia this summer – specifically the Pohoda Festival. Join us in the EU Fun Zone, organised by the European Commission Representation in Slovakia. You can play ECI games, meet ECI Ambassadors and volunteers, test your knowledge, share your ideas, and win a prize!

Where: Airport Trenčín

It’s a wrap! ECI Day: Empowering change (18/03/2025)

ECI Day, held on 18 March during EESC Civil Society Week 2025, featured insightful panel discussions and interactive workshops. The event provided an opportunity for current initiatives to present their work and engage with participants, sparking ideas for future civic action. Attendees encouraged EU institutions to strengthen their support and maintain transparent dialogue to help ECIs effectively reach their goals.

Read the EESCpress releaseand check out these photos from the day.

Share your feedback on this newsletter! (26/06/2024)

With more than 150,000 subscribers – this newsletter is growing monthly! .... Help us improve it and make sure it is relevant to your needs... The survey is available in all EU languages – choose your language once you click on ‘more’.

Please note that the newsletter will be taking a summer break; our next edition will be sent out at the end of August. We would like to wish all of you a wonderful summer!

2024 infographic released (27/06/2024)

The 2024 European Citizens' Initiative Infographic is now live on the ECI Forum, packed with insights about successful initiatives since 2012, complete with sociodemographic details about ECI organisers.

Summer learning for future ECI organisers! (26/06/2024)

Join our online course 'Essential Skills for European Citizens’ Initiative Organisers' and learn from experts on how to get your initiative registered and successfully collect one million signatures for your ECI.

Enrol

How to activate the unengaged? Webinar wrap-up (26/06/2024)

The ECI Forum held a webinar on 13 June about activating the unengaged for your European Citizens' Initiative (ECI). The recap and webinar recording are now available on the ECI Forum. Stay tuned for a blog post with the main tips and tricks shared and look out for our future webinars.

ECI Forum website revamp and usability testing (26/06/2024)

The ECI Forum website is undergoing a revamp, and we need your feedback by 30 June!

We're conducting a usability test with a mock-up and invite you to participate. To join, simply email the ECI Forum at eciforum@ecas.org.

Your insights will help us create a more user-friendly and intuitive platform.

Feedback requested: the ECI Facebook Group (26/06/2024)

Have you visited the ECI Facebook Group? We want your feedback on it – through this short survey, by 3 July. If you do, you may enter a prize draw!

New blogs: ideas generated by young people at two events (26/06/2024)

Fresh proposals for European citizens’ initiatives took centre stage at the Level Up! youth event in Brussels and ECI Boot camp in Bucharest this spring.

From tackling food waste and protecting coral reefs to promoting digital democracy, see how these creative.

New initiative registered: Save the Planet (27/05/2024)

The Commission registered a new citizens’ initiative called ‘Save the Planet by shifting taxation from labour to greenhouse gas emissions’ on 13 May.

Organisers call on the Commission to strengthen the ‘Fit for 55’ package and EU carbon pricing system, among other goals. The collection period should open within the next 6 months. Read the details by clicking ‘more’.

Open for signature collection (27/05/2024)

The citizens’ initiative ‘Ban on conversion practices in the European Union’ opened for signature collection on 17 May. Organisers have 1 year to collect 1 million signatures.

You can support a total of 10 citizens’ initiatives at the moment. Check them out by clicking ‘more’.

Initiative updates: Status of support per Initiative (27/05/2024)

To be considered by the European Commission, citizens’ initiatives require 1 million valid signatures.

Several initiatives reached the following significant milestones.

• Over 350,000:

  - My Voice, My Choice: For Safe and Accessible Abortion (deadline: April 2025)

• Over 190,000:

  - Taxing great wealth to finance the ecological and social transition (deadline: October 2024)

• Over 40,000:

  - Connecting all European capitals and people through a high-speed train network (closing soon: 31 May 2024 )

• Over 30,000:

  - Ban on conversion practices in the European Union (deadline: May 2025)

The ‘European Cannabis Initiative’, registered in February 2024, withdrew this month, before starting collection.

Visit our website to learn more about all ongoing initiatives.

Upcoming ECI Forum webinar (13/06/2024)

Join our engaging webinar on empowering citizen participation in the European Union: 'Unlocking Engagement: Strategies for Reaching and Activating the Unengaged for Your ECI'.

We will explore overcoming barriers, using digital tools, and activating grassroots movements to drive successful European Citizens' Initiatives (ECIs) to shape EU policy.

Meet the ECI in Croatia – 24-26 June (24/06/2024)

Learn more about the European Citizens’ Initiative at the upcoming INmusic festival in Zagreb. Visitors can meet an ECI Ambassador and volunteers at the stand of the Representation of the European Commission in Croatia. Check out the video booth and other activities available – you can both discover the ECI and share your own ideas.

Two new ECI Ambassadors (27/05/2024)

In the past month, we’ve welcomed two new ECI Ambassadors to our network.

The ECI Ambassadors are vital in helping to make available information about the ECI at national and local levels, and empowering citizens to make use of their EU citizenship rights. Both new members focus on engaging with young people.

We would like to welcome:

• Alexandre Jorge, from Portugal
• Stand Up for Europe, represented by Sebastian Berchesan

If you would like to find out more about our ECI Ambassador programme, visit the ECI website by clicking ‘more’.

Feedback requested: the ECI Facebook group (27/05/2024)

Do you know the ECI Facebook Group? We want your feedback on it – through this short survey. Your input will be confidential and highly appreciated!

New Success Story: ‘Fur Free Europe’ (28/05/2024)

Follow the journey of the ‘Fur Free Europe’ initiative which collected 1.5 million signatures calling for an EU ban on fur farming and fur product sales in the Single Market.

Learn about their strategies and milestones in the ECI Forum's latest Success Story.

New Blog: interview with 'Ban on conversion practices’ organisers (28/05/2024)

The 'Ban on conversion practices' initiative has started collecting signatures. Read more about why the organisers chose to use the European Citizens’ Initiative in an exclusive interview with the ECI Forum.

New Blog: ECI-inspired school competition (28/05/2024)

Read all about the ImagineEU video competition for secondary schools, which ran during the 2023-24 school year. Three winning teams, from among 400, were awarded a study trip to Brussels. Watch the souvenir video of the study trip and learn more about how the competition was run.

Contribute to Public Consultations (28/05/2024)

Did you know there are a number of Public Consultations running at any given moment? The Commission would like to hear your views on laws and policies currently in development.

For example, you can participate in one called ‘Rights, equality, citizenship and values programmes – evaluation report’ until 27 June.

Check out all open public consultations by clicking ‘more’.

Did you know? ‘Youth and Democracy’ Eurobarometer (28/05/2024)

Ahead of the European elections taking place from 6 to 9 June, the Commission has published a Eurobarometer on Youth and Democracy, revealing early indications that 64% of young people say that they intend to vote.

In addition, 67% of young people believe that the EU has an impact, at least to some extent, on their daily life. Check out all the findings by clicking ‘more’.