"European Citizens’ Initiative Newsletter" Newsletter Issues

New initiative launched: Erasmus for civil servants (28/04/2021)

A group of students from the College of Europe submitted a new citizens’ initiative which was registered by the European Commission on 21 April: the Civil Servant Exchange Program (CESP). Taking inspiration from the Erasmus exchange programme, the proposal includes giving civil servants the opportunity to work in a similar field in a different Member State for 2 to 12 months. The proposal includes teachers, hospital staff, prison staff, judges, police officers, administrative staff, etc. under the umbrella of ‘civil servants’. The initiative aims to foster exchange of best practices and strengthen freedom of movement for workers at all levels. Striving for a new spirit of unity, the organisers say: ‘As European students and future civil servants, we believe that exchanges should not stop once studies come to an end.’

New initiative launched: Green Garden Roof Tops (28/04/2021)

Another initiative, registered at the end of April, focuses on using existing commercial rooftops as space for green garden areas. Most rooftops are barren and not used for a specific purpose. The organising team - coming from Belgium, Germany, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria and Slovenia – want larger corporations to install rooftop gardens. They argue this will improve environmental benefits and increase awareness about reaching a healthy balance between protecting our environment and the economy. Learn more about the newly registered initiative by visiting our website.

Parliamentary hearing for ‘End the Cage Age’ initiative: recap (28/04/2021)

A public hearing on the citizens’ initiative to ban the use of cages for farm animals took place in the European Parliament (EP) on 15 April. Organisers Olga Kikou and Leopoldine Charbonneaux presented the initiative’s objectives after opening statements from chairpersons of the AGRI and PETI Committees Norbert Lins (EPP, DE) and Dolors Montserrat (EPP, ES) and Commission Vice-President for Values and Transparency Věra Jourová. “Instead of using cages, we call on the EU to (...) move to alternative systems, which are already in existence, such as barns, organic systems, free range or free farrowing”, said Ms Kikou. Animal welfare and financial support for farmers during a transition period were key elements of the lively debate, involving many MEPs and Commissioners Kyriakides and Wojciechowski. This is the 6th initiative to have been submitted to the European Commission, after collecting more than 1 million signatures. Read more or watch the hearing below.

Upcoming national events promoting the ECI – Denmark and Sweden in May (20/05/2021)

Do you or someone you know want to learn more about the European Citizens’ Initiative? Come to an upcoming event! On 20 May the European Commission is inviting Danish citizens to discover this unique instrument of participatory democracy and on 25 May it will be Sweden’s turn. You will meet engaged citizens, EU institutions' representatives and stakeholders passionate about participatory democracy. Current and former organisers will give their insights. And you can learn how to bring more attention to a cause you care about! We kicked-off our series of online events with a successful event focused on Germany on 28 April. A total of 10 events are taking place in 2021. Check out the dates on our website.

Upcoming ECI Forum webinar: the ECI step by step (18/05/2021)

Join our webinar for the scoop on procedural steps of the European Citizens’ Initiative. Experts will share their expertise on the subject and provide participants with tips and hints related to the procedural steps. They will highlight the best practices to follow in order to successfully prepare and register an initiative and what is needed to continue a European citizens’ initiative journey. When? 18 May 2021, 12:30 – 13:45 The ECI Forum Team organises webinars and other learning activities on a regular basis.

Save the date: ECI Day (03/06/2021)

The European Economic and Social Committee is organising the ECI Day on 3 and 4 June (online). 3 June will be a full day of debates on the ECI tool and on 4 June, the organisers of ongoing initiatives will present their initiatives. Registration will open at the beginning of May.

New blog post: How to collect signatures: Tips from the March webinar (28/04/2021)

Collecting signatures is the core of every European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) campaign. A recent ECI Forum webinar featuring current organisers and an ECI Ambassador focused on practical guidance for effective signature collection. Fear not if you missed the webinar! A blog article covering six highlights is now online. Contributors Flavio Grazian and Hendrik Nahr boil down the essence: Broaden your message, understand your audience and be creative!

New blog post: protect EU democracy from biometric mass surveillance (28/04/2021)

One advantage of organising a citizens’ initiative is building momentum and public debate around relevant issues. The ‘Reclaim Your Face’ campaign organisers want to help EU citizens have a say in laws that regulate artificial intelligence (AI), such as the one which is currently being prepared by European lawmakers. Officially called the ‘Civil society initiative to ban biometric mass surveillance practices’, this initiative aims to harness the power of large-scale citizen action to call for real legislative change. Read Ela Jakubowska’s blog post to discover the campaign’s concerns about the use of AI technology in public spaces. She also covers what the European Digital Rights (EDRi) network is doing to help people keep their anonymity in public.

Join the discussion on the ‘EU Sign Day’ (09/05/2021)

European citizens’ initiative organisers invite you to do something special to celebrate Europe Day this year! EU Sign Day is a self-organised activity climaxing on 9 May 2021 that aims to inform as many European citizens as possible about their right to shape the future of Europe with one (or more signatures) on the ongoing European citizens’ initiatives. Read more and engage in the discussion on the ECI Forum.

Share your views on the ECI Forum discussion space (29/04/2021)

Have an opinion to share or a request to make? Head to the European Citizens’ Initiative Forum discussion page to start or join a conversation. For example, a contributor proposes an outright ban on adverts that are based on personal data (e.g. browsing history, previous purchases, etc.) or cohort data (users such as myself and similar to me who visit similar websites, etc.). What ideas do you have on the topic? Another Forum user is looking for academic/scientific materials to prepare a policy paper on European citizens’ initiatives in general, from a categorisation perspective (what they are about and which kind of organisation is behind them). See another discussion thread that sparks your interest? Share your views and join the debate!

Did you know…? From our FAQs (29/04/2021)

Do you have an idea in mind but aren’t sure if it qualifies to be a citizens’ initiative? Would you like expert advice? The ECI Forum is the space for you to connect with experts for independent advice on legal and organisational aspects before submitting your initiative. Check out our extensive FAQ page to learn more about the European Citizens’ Initiative. And hop on over to the ECI Forum – a peer-to-peer space to exchange ideas and help citizens’ initiatives succeed.

Upcoming parliamentary hearing for ‘End the Cage Age’ initiative (22/03/2021)

A public hearing on the ‘End the Cage Age’ European citizens’ initiative will take place in the European Parliament on 15 April. This is the 6th initiative to have been submitted to the European Commission, after collecting more than 1 million signatures. ‘End the Cage Age’ organiser Olga Kikou also gave a presentation of the initiative in the European Parliament’s Intergroup on the Welfare and Conservation of Animals in early March. Watch the recording and find the presentations here.

New legislation directly influenced by a citizens’ initiative started applying on 27 March 2021 (22/03/2021)

On 27 March the Regulation on transparency and sustainability of the EU risk assessment in the food chain became applicable. The regulation makes sure the European Food Safety Authority has reliable, objective and independent studies to use in risk assessment. In this way, EU citizens can trust the food they eat. An important step forward in modernising EU food safety policy, the regulation is a direct response to the citizens’ initiative ‘Ban Glyphosate and protect people and the environment from toxic pesticides’. The initiative aimed to ban glyphosate, to reform the pesticide approval procedure, and to set EU-wide mandatory reduction targets for pesticide use. It gathered more than 1 million signatures of support in 2017.

Save the date(s): kicking off 10 national events with Germany (22/03/2021)

The European Citizens’ Initiative is coming to a country near you! (Virtually, that is!) This year, 10 online events are planned - each with a national focus to spread the word and boost the network of citizens’ initiative organisers and supporters. We’re kicking off the series of events on 28 April – together with partners in Germany. Registrations will open soon. Additional opportunities to discover the citizens’ initiative – targeted at audiences in the following countries: Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Sweden – take place between May and November. Check out the dates and details in our calendar.

New blog post tracing back the European Citizens’ Initiative to its origins (22/03/2021)

Political scientists, Dr Kalypso Nicolaïdis and Dr Petar Markovic, both currently working at the School of Transnational Governance of the European University Institute look at the European Citizens’ Initiative journey since the adoption of the first ECI regulation. The authors cover the ‘birth’ and ‘adolescence’ of the citizens’ initiative, pointing out how differing “understandings of democracy lead to a different idea of the purpose, scope and potential of ECIs”. They examine the role of citizens and organised civil society so far, what changes they would like to see in the European Institutions’ approach, and more. Check it out!

New blog post: Boosting citizen engagement with national civic platforms (22/03/2021)

What’s behind people's motivation to engage, vote, and express their opinions at EU level? Digital democracy and civic technology expert Annija Emersone believes that insufficient support for European Citizens’ Initiatives is not so much due to a lack of interest as to a lack of information. She argues that people need to understand how issues are relevant to their everyday lives. Read Annija’s post to learn more about activism levels on different scales and her proposal of how national civic platforms can serve as a bridge between the Member States and the EU, thereby helping EU citizens engage with EU-level issues.

Share your views on the ECI Forum discussion space (22/03/2021)

Want to share an idea or get feedback? Head to the European Citizens’ Initiative Forum discussion page to start or join a conversation. For example, discussion threads on vaccination, petitions and improving visibility for initiatives were recently posted. See another discussion thread that sparks your interest? We encourage you to reply and continue sharing ideas.

Did you know…? From our FAQs (22/03/2021)

See a citizens’ initiative that you want to support but not sure if you qualify? Any EU national who is old enough to vote in European elections (even if not registered to vote) is eligible. For most countries, this is 18 years old, but it’s lower in Austria and Malta (16) and Greece (17). All you have to do is fill in and sign the statement of support. Good to know also that strict rules are in place to protect your personal data. Sharing the initiative with others to support is the cherry on the cake! Check out our extensive FAQ page to learn more about the European Citizens’ Initiative.

Success stories and other updates on the ECI Forum (22/03/2021)

The ‘Learn’ page on the ECI Forum has new information! There are success stories to learn from, shared by the first 4 citizens’ initiatives to reach 1 million signatures (Right2Water, One of Us, Stop Vivisection and Ban Glyphosate). In addition, translations in all EU languages of highlights from the 2020 webinars have been added. Take a look!

Did you know...? From our FAQs (12/02/2021)

If you are an EU national living in a different EU country when you sign an initiative, your signature is counted in the country of your nationality. For instance, if you’re a Lithuanian living in Ireland, your signature will be counted in Lithuania. EU citizens living outside the EU are also welcome to support initiatives – the same rule applies. Check out our extensive FAQ page to learn more about the European Citizens’ Initiative.

The Commission grants further extensions to citizens' initiatives due to the COVID-19 pandemic (17/02/2021)

Due to the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Commission decided on 19 February to grant a further 3-month extension for citizens' initiatives that were in the process of collecting statements of support on 1 February 2021. Organisers of the initiatives concerned have been notified by the Commission. Read the text of the Commission implementing decision.

Open for signatures: ‘Civil society initiative for a ban on biometric mass surveillance practices' (17/02/2021)

The 76th citizens’ initiative is now open for signature collection! The ‘Civil society initiative for a ban on biometric mass surveillance practices’ initiative aims to attract support for strictly regulating the use of biometric technologies to avoid undue interference with fundamental rights. Learn more about this initiative, and while you’re there, check out the other 13 initiatives currently collecting statements of support… the clock is ticking!

ECI organisers help kick off democracy debate at Committee of the Regions (17/02/2021)

Representatives from 2 European citizens’ initiatives – Minority SafePack and Voters without Borders – were welcomed to speak at a plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions focused on democracy. They were joined on 4 February by Vice-President of the European Parliament Pedro Silva Pereira and President of the European Economic and Social Committee Christa Schweng and the local and regional representatives – members of the Committee of the Regions. Among several calls for safeguarding citizen’s trust, Committee of the Regions First Vice-President Vasco Cordeiro said: "The European Citizens' Initiatives could represent a remarkable tool to improve democracy in the EU. We must always stand by democracy, better legislation and the principle of active subsidiarity." More information can be found in the Press Release and recording.

Upcoming ECI Forum webinar: Collecting signatures (17/02/2021)

Join our webinar for the scoop on collecting signatures for your citizens’ initiative. When? March 2021. More information on the webinar and about the registration process will be published soon on the European Citizens' Initiative Forum's homepage. The ECI Forum Team organises webinars and other learning activities on a regular basis.

New blog post: “A positive vision for Ireland and Europe” (17/02/2021)

In this article we hear from the Irish Ambassador for the European Citizens’ Initiative and President of the European Youth Parliament Ireland, Debra Daly. She outlines how participating in democracy is more important and easier than ever. Touching upon what’s important for a post-Brexit Ireland, Debra makes the case for citizens having a direct impact on democracy. She highlights how resources like the European Citizen’s Initiative and The European Youth Parliament are only a click away for the tech savvy youth of 2021, and of crucial importance during these times of great change in our world.

New blog post: “If we don’t change anything, everything changes” (17/02/2021)

Written by the European Citizens’ Initiative Ambassador for Austria - Patrick Tobiaschek, this article shares concrete lessons from participatory democracy in Austria, with parallels to how the process works for the European Citizens’ Initiative. Patrick interviews Hannes Kramml, a member of Austria’s climate protection referendum team. Get inspired by their frank discussion on the challenges and successes of campaigning during Covid times, ideas for helping children and others without the right to vote share their support, and much more.

1-stop guidance note: ‘European Citizens’ Initiative support tools’ (17/02/2021)

Several IT tools are in place to support the work of the organisers and to help them succeed, the European Citizens’ Initiative Organiser Account, the Central Online Collection System, the European Citizens’ Initiative Forum and the European Citizens’ Initiative website. But when should you use one or the other of these tools? Check the recently published guidance note in the ‘Learn’ section of the ECI Forum!

Share your views on the ECI Forum discussion space (17/02/2021)

Have an opinion to share? Head to the European Citizens’ Initiative Forum discussion page to start or join a conversation. For example, a discussion thread on vaccination was recently started. See another discussion thread that sparks your interest? We encourage you to reply and continue sharing ideas.

Happy 2021! Resolve to help shape the world around you (27/01/2021)

The European Citizens’ Initiative team sends you best wishes for a happy, healthy and participatory 2021! Start off the year with a resolution to help shape the world around you – get informed, initiate and support initiatives – locally and at European level. Show your support for the Citizens’ Initiative by sharing this newsletter with someone you think may want to get more involved at EU level. Visit our website to find more communication materials to help spread the word.

Commission reply to ‘Minority SafePack’ initiative (28/01/2021)

The European Commission published its reply to the 5th successful European citizens’ initiative ‘Minority SafePack – one million signatures for diversity in Europe’ on 15 January. The initiative aims to improve the protection of persons belonging to national and linguistic minorities in the European Union. A wide range of measures addressing several aspects of the initiative’s proposals have been taken over the past years, since the initiative was originally presented in 2013. While careful assessment of the initiative resulted in no further legislative acts proposed, the Commission considers that the full implementation of legislation and policies already in place provides a powerful toolbox to support the initiative’s goals. Read the press release for more information.

New initiative for ‘a ban on biometric mass surveillance practices' registered (28/01/2021)

The 76th citizens’ initiative was registered on 7 January! The newest initiative ‘Civil society initiative for a ban on biometric mass surveillance practices’ calls on the Commission to strictly regulate the use of biometric technologies to avoid undue interference with fundamental rights. Organisers have 6 months to start collecting signatures.

The 1st successful ECI leads to cleaner drinking water for all (28/01/2021)

On 12 January the revised drinking water directive entered into force – ensuring that drinking water in Europe is safe, good quality and easier to access by vulnerable groups. The scope of the directive was expanded as a direct response to the 1st ever successful European citizens’ initiative ‘Water and sanitation are a human right! Water is a public good, not a commodity!’. This positively benefits all people in the European Union. In addition to working towards the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals, the revised directive will tackle emerging pollutants, like endocrine disruptors, and microplastics. Member States now have 2 years to implement it into their laws.

Lend your support to the on-going initiatives (28/01/2021)

Check out the 13 initiatives currently collecting statements of support. You can show your support by signing the initiatives and sending them to 5 people who may also be interested. Topics range from environmental and climate issues to anti-corruption, universal basic income and voting, and more!

Watch out for the 2021 ECI national events (28/01/2021)

In 2021 the ‘EU Take the Initiative’ campaign will arrive, in online format, in: Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Ireland, Latvia, Luxembourg and Sweden. Watch this space or check the ECI website for updates.

Spanish campaigns address the digital divide (28/01/2021)

Several local citizens’ initiatives are looking for solutions to close the digital gap in their communities. Through manifestos and calling on authorities, they hope to ensure better access to the Internet as well as digital training for women, migrants, the elderly and people with disabilities. The digital divide is an issue across many Member States; head over to the European Citizens’ Initiative Forum to get inspired by these local efforts and contribute to the discussion.

What can we learn from the ECI for the Conference on the Future of Europe? (28/01/2021)

In this Forum blog post, 2 scholars share their ideas for the organisers of the upcoming Conference on the Future of Europe. They argue that there is a lot to be learnt from the successes and failures of the ECI, as this tool has shown that it is possible to involve citizens in EU policy-making through connecting EU policies with national political debates. Learn about their arguments and aspirations for “democratic participation beyond the nation-state” in the Forum blog.

Share your views on the Forum discussion space (28/01/2021)

Have an opinion to share? Head to the European Citizens’ Initiative Forum discussion page to start a conversation. For example, there was a recent post about EU-China investment agreement. See another discussion thread that sparks your interest? We encourage you to reply and continue sharing ideas. Let’s make this a lively place of exchange among peers!

The European Citizens’ Initiative reform: one year on (09/12/2020)

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.

Temporary measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic (16/12/2020)

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 Week – everything you need to know! (09/12/2020)

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.

European Citizens’ Initiative ambassadors (09/12/2020)

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.

Spread the word about the European Citizens’ Initiative (09/12/2020)

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.

Head to the European Citizens’ Initiative Forum for some holiday reading (09/12/2020)

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 advice from the European Citizens' Initiative Forum (09/12/2020)

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.

Lend your support to ongoing European citizens’ initiatives (09/12/2020)

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

The European Citizens’ Initiative: Freedom to share started its signature collection (15/11/2020)

On 15 November 2020, the organisers of the initiative “Freedom to share” launched their signature collection campaign. They have to collect one million signatures until 15 November 2021, meeting the required threshold in at least seven EU countries. Learn more about the initiative.

The European Citizens' Initiative "Right to Cure" launches its signature collection campaign (30/11/2020)

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.

It’s a wrap! – European Citizens’ Initiative Week (20/11/2020)

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.

European Citizens’ Initiative Week – Day 1: ‘The European Citizen’ Initiative 2.0: Design, Engage, Impact!’ (20/11/2020)

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.

European Citizens’ Initiative Week – Day 2: What makes the European Citizens’ Initiative unique? (20/11/2020)

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.

European Citizens’ Initiative Week: My European Citizens’ Initiative Journey! (20/11/2020)

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.

European Citizens’ Initiative Week – Day 3: Online campaigning in COVID-19 times (18/11/2020)

Initiative organisers and experts in online campaigning came together to discuss the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak and offered advice on how to overcome challenges. They also discussed what has been done by the European Commission to support organisers. If you weren’t able to watch the session, the recording is now available.

European Citizens’ Initiative Week – Day 4: hints and tips to get you started (19/11/2020)

The fifth session of the week focused on how to launch a European citizens’ initiative. During the session the panellists provided the participants with relevant tips and highlighted which conditions needed to be met to register an initiative. If you weren’t able to watch the session, the recording is now available.

European Citizens’ Initiative Week – Day 4: Communicating locally on the European Citizens’ Initiative (19/11/2020)

During this session we discussed the importance of making the European Citizens’ Initiative better known among EU citizens. We focused on the role of local actors including national contact points and European Citizens’ Initiative ambassadors. They provided participants with ideas on how to better communicate about the tool and get more citizens involved. If you weren’t able to watch the session, the recording is now available.

European Citizens’ Initiative Week – Closing day: Facing the future (30/11/2020)

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.

Join our flagship digital event – European Citizens’ Initiative Week (16/11/2020)

Join us online from 16 to 20 November for a whole week of digital activities built around the European Citizens’ Initiative. Check the various sessions in the highlights below. And send us the questions and ideas you would like our panellists to address: SG-ECI-WEEK@ec.europa.eu Register before 13 November.

European Citizens' Initiative Week: high-level panel – ‘The European Citizen’ Initiative 2.0: Design, Engage, Impact!’ – 17 November 2020 (17/11/2020)

The European Commission’s Vice-President for Values and Transparency, Věra Jourová will open the Week, setting the context and the aims for the Week. A panel discussion will follow, bringing in the perspectives of key stakeholders on how to make the reformed European Citizens' Initiative a success. Register by 13 November.

European Citizens' Initiative Week: My European Citizens’ Initiative Journey! – 17 and 18 November (18/11/2020)

Two sessions during the European Citizens’ Initiative Week will focus on the experience of past and current organisers with the tool. They will discuss how they got started, what challenges they faced, how they kept the momentum going throughout their campaign year and what are their hopes for the future of the European citizens’ initiative. Register by 13 November.

European Citizens' Initiative Week: Online campaigning in COVID-19 times – 18 November (18/11/2020)

Join us online to learn how the COVID-19 outbreak has affected ongoing and future European citizens’ initiatives. We will share stories of the challenges that initiatives have faced over the past year and look at how campaigns have, or how they could, overcome those challenges. To warm up, check the latest ECI Forum blog post by Daniela Vancic. https://europa.eu/citizens-initiative-forum/blog/covid-campaigning-and-pandemic-planning-tips-european-citizens-initiative-organisers_en Register by 13 November.

European Citizens' Initiative Week: Launching an initiative: hints and tips to get you started – 19 November (30/10/2020)

During this session of the European Citizens’ Initiative Week our panellists will provide you with relevant tips and highlight which conditions need to be met to register an initiative. We will take you through the phase of launching an initiative, from setting up the group of organisers to concretely drafting a proposal for a citizens’ initiative. Register by 13 November.

European Citizens' Initiative Week: Communicating locally on the European Citizens’ Initiative – 19 November (30/10/2020)

Join us online to discuss how to make the European Citizens’ Initiative better known by EU citizens: What role do the newly established national contact points play? How to ensure efficient cooperation with the Representations of the Commission in each Member State? What motivates our European Citizens’ Initiative Ambassadors? What more is needed to support the efforts on the ground? Where can you turn to if you have questions about the European Citizens’ Initiative? Register by 13 November.

European Citizens' Initiative Week: Facing the future – 20 November (20/11/2020)

We’ll end the European Citizens’ Initiative Week by sharing the key highlights of the Week and looking forward into the future of participatory democracy in the EU. What are the challenges and the opportunities ahead of us? What can we all do to foster citizen engagement in the EU and to make the European Citizens’ Initiative the citizens’ ally in the EU? Register by 13 November.

Public hearing on ‘Minority Safepack - one million signatures for diversity in Europe’ (15/10/2020)

The European Parliament held on 15 October, a public hearing on the fifth successful European citizens’ initiative entitled “Minority Safepack”. The initiative organisers had the opportunity to present their initiative in the presence of the European Commission, the Council of Europe, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. The recording of the hearing is now available.

“End the Cage Age” becomes the sixth successful European Citizens’ Initiative (30/10/2020)

Today, Věra Jourová, Vice-President for Values and Transparency and Stella Kyriakides, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety meet the organisers of the European Citizens' Initiative ‘End the Cage Age', after they collected and submitted to the Commission close to 1,4 million signatures. This is the 6th successful European Citizens' Initiative so far.

European Citizens' Initiative Forum: Join the discussion on the role of regional actors for the European Citizens’ Initiative (07/10/2020)

Share your views on the role of regional actors in supporting the European Citizens’ Initiative. How do you see this issue? Can regional actors contribute to make the European Citizens’ Initiative better known amongst citizens? If you missed the workshop during the EU Week of regions looking at this issue, the recording is now available. https://euregionsweek2020-video.eu/video/my-citizens-voice-in-the-eu

Take a look a the latest blogpost on the European Citizens' Initiative Forum (29/10/2020)

In the latest blogpost on the European Citizens' Initiative Forum, Dr. Manès Weisskircher​, political scientist at TU Dresden (MIDEM — Mercator Forum Migration and Democracy) offers his solutions to further improve the efficacy of the European Citizens' Initiative.

Join us online during the European Week of Regions! (07/10/2020)

On 7 October, the European Citizens’ Initiative team is organising an interactive online workshop: “My citizen’s voice in the EU!” as part of the European Week of Regions. Together with our speakers, including past organisers, representatives from the civil society and the EU institutions, we will discuss the role of regions in making participatory democracy happen in the EU. Join us to learn how the European Citizens’ Initiative works in practice and share your ideas on how to engage citizens locally! Register by 27 September. The workshop will be in English.

The ‘Voters Without Borders’ initiative started the collection of statements of support (31/08/2020)

On 31 August 2020, the organisers of the initiative “Voters Without Borders” launched their signature collection campaign. They will have to collect one million signatures by 11 September 2021, meeting the required threshold in at least seven EU countries. Learn more about the initiative.

The Start Unconditional Basic Incomes (UBI) throughout the EU initiative starts the collection of statements of support (25/09/2020)

Today, the organisers of the initiative “Start Unconditional Basic Incomes (UBI) throughout the EU” initiative launched their signature collection campaign. They will have one year to collect one million signatures , meeting the required threshold in at least seven EU countries. Learn more about the initiative.

Support tools for organisers of a European Citizens’ Initiative (15/09/2020)

If you’ve missed the webinar organised by the European Citizens’ Initiative Forum about the tools to help you on your European Citizens’ Initiative journey, do not worry. The recording is now available! You can catch-up with Assya Kavrakova, Director, ECAS, Adriana Mungiu-Pătraşcu, Policy Officer, European Commission and Jérôme Stefanini, IT Project Officer, European Commission to discover what has been put in place to support you throughout the whole European Citizens’ Initiative process. The recording is available in English

New blogpost available on the European Citizens’ Initiative Forum (07/09/2020)

Take a look at the latest blogpost by Jasmin Hiry, PhD researcher at the Department of Law at the University of Luxembourg. The focus is on the success of the European Citizens’ Initiative in light of its place in the Treaties. Share your thoughts and reactions on the Forum! The blogpost is in English.

The European Commission releases the last version of the Open Source of the Online Collection Software (25/09/2020)

Last month the European Commission released the last version of the Online Collection Software. However, it will not maintain this open source version further as the new ECI regulation does not give mandate to the European Commission to do so. Instead, the Commission encourages all organisers to use the Central Online Collection System.

Workshop: Comparing Petitioning Online Collection Systems (24/09/2020)

The workshop held on 24 September as part of the Online Forum on Modern Direct Democracy enabled the sharing of experiences among various systems for collecting signatures of support. What can the European Citizens’ Initiative’s Central Online Collection System learn from other systems and examples? If you missed the workshop, the recording is now available.

The case for transnational referendums in the European Union (24/09/2020)

In this latest blogpost published on the European Citizens’ Initiative Forum, Bruno Kaufman discusses the evolution of transnational referendums across Europe and what the future holds for such instruments of participatory democracy.

Spread the word about the European Citizens’ Initiative (20/08/2020)

Do you want to get involved in raising awareness about the European Citizens’ Initiative? Then head over to the European Citizens’ Initiative website and check out all the communication material (available in all EU-languages) and become a powerful multiplier.

Discover the European Citizens’ Initiative (04/09/2020)

Join our webinar on 4 September at 10 :00 C.E.T. to find out how you can influence the EU agenda with your ideas thanks to the European Citizens’ Initiative. The webinar will bring you the knowledge you need to get your ideas off the ground. It will also be an opportunity to learn how you can support other citizens' initiatives. Pablo Sanchez, organiser of the successful initiative “Right2Water” will join us to share his experience with the European Citizens’ Initiative and give you advice on how to lead a successful campaign. Sign up to join!

Support tools on your European Citizens’ Initiative journey! (15/09/2020)

Are you organising a European citizens’ initiative, or are you thinking of launching one? Then tune in to our webinar on 15 September to learn about the tools available to help you launch and lead a successful citizens’ initiative campaign. The webinar will be moderated by Assya Kavrakova, Director, ECAS. She will be joined by Adriana Mungiu-Pătrașcu and Jérôme Stefanini from the European Commission.

New discussion on free movement (03/08/2020)

Head to the European Citizens’ Initiative Forum and take part in ongoing discussions or start a new one! What are your thoughts on free movement? What challenges do you see? What do you think we can do to improve free movement? Share your thoughts with other citizens on the European Citizens’ Initiative Forum.

New blog posts on the European Citizens’ Initiative Forum (10/08/2020)

Discover the latest contributions from experts in the field of participatory democracy. Marco Ciurcina explains the rationale behind the "Freedom to Share" European citizens' initiative registered on 15 May. And Luis Bouza García shares his views of the European Citizens' Initiative as an opportunity to make policy debates in the European Union more diverse. Share your thoughts on these topics on the Forum!

New initiative registered: Right to Cure (21/08/2020)

The Commission has registered on 21 August 2020, a new citizens' initiative: Right to Cure. The organisers now have up to 6 months to start the collection of statements of support from citizens across Europe.