Nika Kovac is the representative of the "My Voice, My Choice" European citizens’ initiative, which aims to protect the right to safe and accessible abortion across the European Union. This initiative asks the European Commission to submit a proposal for financial support to EU Member States to support the availability and accessibility of safe and free termination of pregnancies for anyone in Europe who still lacks access to safe and legal abortion.
Q: How did you come across the idea of organising a European citizens’ initiative?
Nika Kovac: I lead a group called Institute the 8th of March, which is mostly made up of young women fighting for social justice. In Slovenia, we've managed to change several laws by collecting signatures on the streets.
When I was living in the US, the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade (a Supreme Court decision from 1973 which ruled that the Constitution of the United States generally protected a right to have an abortion, Ed.) really affected me. It made me and one of my closest friends, Sarah, realize that something similar could happen in Europe. So, we started thinking about how we could prevent that and came up with the idea of launching a European citizens’ initiative.
"It combines everything we love: fighting for change, using legal and democratic means, organizing people and building a movement filled with kindness and hope."
The European Citizens’ Initiative is the only tool that allows citizens to propose changes to EU law. It's a way for us to make sure that the voices of citizens are heard at the institutional level.
Q: You have already collected more than half of the needed signatures in just a few months, exceeding the minimum threshold in 10 EU Member States. What has been the key to your success so far?
Nika: The key to our success has been hard work. Since we started collecting signatures, we haven’t stopped. We have over 300 organizations supporting our campaign, coordinators in most European countries, and volunteers working tirelessly on the streets. It’s a massive machinery that never rests—there are no shortcuts. It’s been a lot of sleepless nights and dedication.
For more examples of successful campaigns, check out the Success Stories of the 10 ECIs that collected over 1 million verified signatures.
Q: How is the work organised across so many countries? Do you have any advice for other organisers on what approach might work best?
Nika: In most countries we are organised through national coordinators. These amazing people connect civil society, politics and individuals on a national level, organising events and moments to collect signatures.
"My advice to other organisers is to trust in the power of people!"
Even if one person collects just a few signatures, it still counts. Also, put your ego aside and focus on the final goal—reaching 1 million signatures.
Q: Could you describe your fundraising strategy? How are you securing the financial support needed to run this initiative?
Nika: In the beginning, we approached different foundations for support, and luckily, we received some. But we’re also doing things for the first time, like selling merchandise through our web store. This helps fund the campaign. Many of our resources also come from individual donations. We ask people to contribute, and every €5 or €10 helps.
We believe in the power of people. We know that some people don’t have the time to be out collecting signatures, but they can still support us financially. This helps us print materials, record videos, and run the campaign. Our web store offers campaign merchandise like T-shirts and cups with the slogan "My Voice, My Choice." It’s really special to go to another city and see someone wearing one of our shirts. It creates a sense of community.
You can always use more funds, but it’s also possible to make things happen with limited resources, a lot of energy, and sleepless nights.
"My advice is to have a strong idea and a cause you deeply believe in because this will be the longest campaign of your life. It’s non-stop campaigning, and you will get tired, as will the people around you. You have to love the cause so much that you’re willing to work for free if needed."
Q: Which parts of the work require the biggest portion of your budget?
Nika: The biggest part of our budget goes toward legal resources, printing materials, organizing events, and travel expenses. We planned to travel to different countries to hold joint events, and this requires funds, along with the legal support necessary to run the campaign properly.
Q: What advice would you give to future organisers of European citizens’ initiatives?
Nika: My advice for future organisers is do not expect it to be easy. It’s incredibly hard work. You need to think about all the European countries and the different people involved. Even though we’re one of the fastest initiatives in terms of signature gathering, everything still feels slow. Be patient and be ready for a long, challenging campaign!
Watch Nika Kovac and fundraising expert Anne Hardt discussing fundraising:
Leave a comment
To be able to add comments, you need to authenticate or register.