On April 1, we mark 13 years since the creation of the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) – a unique tool for citizen participation in the democratic process of the European Union.
The European Citizens’ Initiative enables citizens to propose legislative changes at the European level. If an initiative collects 1 million signatures from at least 7 Member States, the European Commission is obliged to examine the proposal and provide an official response. This is an effective tool for engaging with important public issues and bringing citizens’ ideas to the attention of European institutions.
13 years of active civic engagement
Since its launch in 2012, the European Citizens’ Initiative has enabled the creation of over 100 initiatives that have led to significant changes in European policies. These include:
✔ Improving access to drinking water – the result of a successful initiative that encouraged the European Commission to propose legislation for better water resource management.
✔ Protecting bee populations – thanks to a citizens’ initiative, the EU has taken measures to address the decline in bee populations and other environmentally important species.
How can you get involved?
Join the initiative by:
- Starting your own citizens’ initiative to propose a solution to an issue that is important to you.
- Supporting an existing initiative that reflects your beliefs and priorities.
See which initiatives are currently collecting signatures: https://citizens-initiative.europa.eu/_en