Did you know that European Union citizens can contribute directly to shaping EU policies, even without holding public office? Thanks to the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI), citizens can ask the European Commission to propose new legislation on matters of common interest.
To do so, however, at least one million valid signatures must be collected, in accordance with specific geographical and procedural requirements. But who can sign a European Citizens’ Initiative? How can a proposal be submitted, and what happens once the signatures have been collected?
Let’s explore how this instrument of European participatory democracy works and how it can be used to help shape the Union’s future.
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What is the European Citizens' Initiative?
The European Citizens’ Initiative, also known as the ECI, is an instrument of participatory democracy that enables EU citizens to invite the European Commission to submit a legislative proposal on an issue that matters to them.
Introduced by the Treaty of Lisbon and operational since 2012, it is one of the main opportunities for citizens to influence the European political agenda.
The ECI enables citizens to:
- bring issues shared by citizens across different Member States to the attention of the European institutions;
- promote new legislative proposals in areas falling within EU competence;
- encourage cooperation between associations, organisations and European citizens;
- strengthen dialogue between civil society and EU institutions.
The most interesting part? You do not need to belong to a political party or hold public office to support an initiative.
How does the European Citizens' Initiative work?
Certain conditions must be met for an ECI to be considered by the European Commission.
- 7 EU citizens residing in 7 different Member States to form the organisers' group;
- 1 million valid signatures to be collected in total;
- 7 Member States in which the respective minimum signature thresholds must be reached;
- 12 months to collect statements of support.
Who can launch an initiative?
To launch a European Citizens’ Initiative, a group of at least seven EU citizens residing in seven different Member States must be formed.
Organisers must have reached the minimum age required to vote in European elections in their country of nationality. They do not need to hold seven different nationalities: the requirement concerns their countries of residence.
The group must also appoint a representative and a substitute who will act as the official points of contact with the European Commission.
How is a proposal submitted to the European Commission?
Once the group has been formed, the organisers must submit a request for registration through the official European Citizens’ Initiative portal.
The request must clearly describe the initiative’s objectives and identify the relevant provisions of the EU Treaties. The Commission checks that the legal requirements are met, including whether the proposal concerns an area in which it has the power to propose legal acts.
Registration does not mean the initiative has been approved, but it allows the subsequent signature-collection stage to begin.
How many signatures are needed for a European Citizens' Initiative?
At least one million valid signatures from European Union citizens must be collected. However, reaching one million signatures is not enough: the minimum thresholds set for at least seven Member States must also be met.
Following registration, the organisers can choose when to start collecting signatures, provided they do so within six months of registration. From the chosen start date, they have a maximum of twelve months to gather the necessary support.
Statements of support can be collected online using the European Commission’s official system or on paper forms.
How to sign a European Citizens' Initiative online
Not everyone wants to organise a signature-collection campaign. Fortunately, taking part in European democracy can be much simpler.
Any EU citizen who meets the age requirements can support an initiative that has already been registered and is open for signature collection.
Here is how to do it.
- Visit the official ECI portal
Go to the European Citizens’ Initiative website and browse the proposals currently open for signature collection.
- Choose an initiative to support
Read the proposal’s objectives, rationale and available information carefully.
- Check the requirements
To sign, you must be a national of an EU Member State and have reached the minimum age for supporting an ECI in your country.
- Complete the statement of support
Enter the required details in the official system. The information requested varies depending on your country of nationality. Where available, you can also use an electronic identification system.
- Complete the process
After successfully submitting your statement, keep the reference provided by the system. Remember that you can support the same initiative only once.
What happens when an initiative reaches one million signatures?
Reaching one million signatures is a significant achievement, but it does not automatically result in a new EU law.
Once the national authorities have verified the signatures and confirmed that the requirements have been met, the initiative can be formally submitted to the European Commission.
Three main steps then follow:
- within one month: the organisers meet representatives of the European Commission to explain the proposal's objectives;
- within three months: a public hearing is held at the European Parliament;
- within six months: the Commission issues a formal response explaining whether it intends to take action and why.
The Commission is therefore required to examine the initiative and explain its position, but it is not obliged to put forward a legislative proposal.
This distinction is essential to understanding how European participatory democracy works.
Which European Citizens' Initiatives have achieved tangible results?
The ECI is not merely a theoretical instrument. Over the years, some initiatives have helped stimulate political debate and shape European decisions on matters of public interest.
Right2Water: access to water as a fundamental right
The Right2Water initiative drew the European institutions’ attention to the importance of access to drinking water and sanitation services.
Citizens’ mobilisation contributed to the European process of updating the rules on the quality of water intended for human consumption.
End the Cage Age: animal welfare in farming
The End the Cage Age initiative brought the use of cages in animal farming to the European Commission’s attention.
The case shows how new issues can be placed on the institutional agenda, even when the path towards legislative change is complex and takes time.
Why is the European Citizens' Initiative important for democracy?
Democratic participation does not end at the ballot box.
Participatory democracy instruments allow citizens to express their views on public policies between elections as well.
In this context, the European Citizens’ Initiative is particularly valuable because it crosses national borders, encouraging people from different countries to work together towards a shared goal.
An initiative may arise from a desire to address environmental problems, protect consumers, promote public health or improve other aspects of everyday life, provided the issue falls within the Union’s legislative competences.
For young people, associations and civil society organisations, the ECI also offers an opportunity to develop civic skills, engage with different cultural perspectives and gain a better understanding of how the institutions work.
e-Medine and the promotion of active European citizenship
Raising awareness of participation tools is essential to building a more informed European citizenry.
This is one of the aims of e-Medine, a non-profit organisation committed to promoting European identity, social inclusion and intercultural dialogue.
Through awareness-raising initiatives, training activities and European cooperation projects, e-Medine encourages citizens to participate in the Union’s democratic life.
Tools such as the European Citizens’ Initiative show that Europe is not simply a collection of institutions, but also a shared space in which every citizen can contribute to discussions about today’s challenges and tomorrow’s future.
Frequently asked questions about the European Citizens' Initiative
Who can sign a European Citizens' Initiative?
EU citizens who have reached the minimum age set by their Member State can sign. This is generally 18, although some countries allow participation from the age of 16. There is no requirement to be registered on the electoral roll.
Can you sign a European Citizens' Initiative from Italy?
Yes. Italian citizens who meet the age requirements can sign open initiatives through the official portal, even if they live abroad.
What is the difference between an ECI and a European petition?
An ECI invites the Commission to propose new EU legislation and requires at least one million signatures. By contrast, a petition to the European Parliament can be submitted by a single person and concerns matters falling within the EU’s fields of activity that directly affect the petitioner.
Europe's future also depends on citizens' participation
The European Citizens’ Initiative demonstrates that participating in the Union’s democratic life means much more than voting in elections. Staying informed, supporting a proposal and working with citizens from other countries are practical actions that can help shape the debate on European policies.
Understanding your rights and the tools available to exercise them is therefore the first step towards genuinely active European citizenship.
Would you like to explore European citizenship, inclusion and participatory democracy in greater depth? Keep following JOurnal, e-Medine’s blog dedicated to the European Union’s opportunities, values and initiatives.