The European Citizens’ Initiative: Germany in focus

On 28 April 2021, the first of 10 national events in 2021 spreading awareness about the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) took place online. The event looked at the role of the ECI in the EU and how it can impact the lives of citizens.

What is the value of the ECI in the EU?

 Silvia Kersemakers from the European Commission, explained that the ECI allows citizens to invite the EU Commission to propose legislation in areas where it has the competence to do so. The process requires a certain level of perseverance and planning to ensure that your goals can be achieved. It fosters debate, encourages EU-wide cooperation among citizens, and, in Germany, focuses the active participatory democracy landscape into action at EU level.

The ECI is a powerful tool for citizens, at both a national and EU level. Carsten Berg, Director of the European Citizens’ Initiative e.V. in Germany, shared with the floor how the ECI has inspired many EU Member States to setup similar initiatives at a national level. For example, in Finland, the Parliament must hear any successful initiative, and must vote on it. These national initiatives spur on citizens to pursue ECIs that they believe will benefit their fellow Europeans. It allows us to solve problems in a cross-border approach, together.

But why should citizens get involved? Pablo Sánchez, organiser for the Right2Water initiative, summed it up as such: the more we work together on issues we find common ground with, the more connected we become as Europeans. To have a successful initiative, we will need to find like-minded individuals from around the EU to hit the 1 million signature mark required. Organisers need to believe that they will achieve this and have a plan for what happens afterwards. Their initiatives will have an impact, EU wide and spur future organisers on.

So, you have an idea that you believe could positively impact the lives of your fellow citizens. But you are not sure of how to have your voice heard, how to organise, or even get started!

This might seem daunting at first, and those who wish to set forward an initiative, should ensure that their planning phase is robust and detailed. To make this journey easier, Daniela Vancic outlined how the ECI Forum can help those who want to embark on an ECI.

The ECI Forum contains a repository of valuable knowledge, experience, and advice from those who have embarked on this endeavour over the years. Here, citizens can request advice on how to go about launching an initiative, funding, and the correct legal advice. Also, guidance notes are available with best practices and tips from those who have gone through the process. Additionally, there will be a workshop that will take place during ECI Day on 3 June 2021, that will outline how to fundraise for an ECI among other topics. So, if you want to learn more, you are encouraged to attend this free, online workshop. You can register here.

What does ECI mean to you?

The ECI is a unique instrument that gives citizens the tools to effect positive change in Europe. It is an active and meaningful way to engage with the European Commission, because once you have met the requirements, your initiative will be brought forward and debated. You may see your initiative take seed, be nurtured, and grow into something tangible, something that can possibly change the lives of your fellow citizens.

During the breakout sessions, group members had a chance to speak with current organisers, who outlined their experiences with launching and running an ECI. The common theme was raising awareness of the programme and providing robust information regarding the ECI. Once people knew that the ECI existed, they were extremely interested in finding out more. The ECI has found its way into other initiatives, (such as influencing national initiatives), which is in itself, a success.

The future of the ECI

Where will the ECI be in a few years’ time and how can we further develop it, asked moderator Vincent Herr? During the panel discussion, Mr Berg gave the example of how the citizen councils that are being setup within Germany and how they are designed to discuss the future of Germany. It shares some parallels with the values of the ECI, and perhaps, in some way, elements of these citizen driven councils could help shape the future of the ECI. Mr Berg also outlined how “we should also reflect on the added value of an ECI that could lead to a pan-European referendum”. Mr Sánchez added that perhaps the ECI should be made more binding by ensuring that the EU commits to putting these initiatives to a vote.

Daniela Vancic followed up by saying that randomly selected Citizen Assemblies, such as those in Germany, have had success and they have interesting applications that could be applied to the ECI, such as introducing ECIs to a randomly selected citizens assembly for review before the institutions carry out their follow-up processes. This may add some weight to the initiatives from a political point of view. Ms Kersemakers added that the future of the ECI could be discussed by citizens in the context of the Conference on the Future of Europe.

What are your thoughts on this, and the ECI as a whole? Do you feel it can make a difference to your life? Is it something that sparks an interest in you? If so, join the debate.