Civic engagement is key to strengthening and defending democracy. This was a central theme at the Summer Academy titled "Strengthening Democracy: Civic Engagement and Responsibility," held at Kloster Banz Educational Center in Germany. The ECI Forum team participated, offering attendees knowledge and tools to further civic engagement both in their own countries and at the EU level. Our workshop emphasized EU-level citizen participation, focusing on the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) as a powerful tool for deliberative democracy.
At the Summer Academy, which brought together 140 participants from 13 scholarship organizations, the ECI Forum team led a workshop titled "Citizen Participation at the EU Level and Deliberative Democracy." This session introduced the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) and its role in fostering cross-border civic engagement. Participants were shown how the ECI serves as a vital democratic tool, allowing citizens to propose legislative changes directly to the European Commission, provided that the proposal secures at least one million signatures across seven EU member states.
The ECI Forum team also informed participants of German citizens’ active participation in the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) over the years. Germany has been one of the top contributors to the signature collection of many European citizens’ initiatives. From 2012 to 2024, the ten successful initiatives collected over 4.47 million verified signatures in Germany (Infographic 2024). Notable campaigns of successful initiatives were “Right2Water,” “Stop Finning,” and “Fur Free Europe.” Beyond these successful initiatives, an additional 620,979 verified signatures were gathered in Germany, supporting various other ECI campaigns.
Hands-On Experience with the ECI
To deepen understanding, we conducted a simulation exercise where participants crafted their own ECI proposals. This hands-on activity allowed them to experience the ECI process firsthand. The enthusiasm and creativity on display led to two notable proposals:
1. "Stop Turning Labels into Fables" – Aimed at creating a standardized Fair Trade label across the EU to promote informed consumer decisions and support sustainable production.
2. "Repair is Fair" – Focused on reducing waste from mass production by establishing an EU fund that encourages repair services, promoting a circular economy.
These proposals exemplify the collective responsibility and creativity of participants in addressing significant issues like consumer rights and sustainability.
Empowering Change
The simulation empowered participants to think critically about the changes they want to see in the European Union, showcasing the ECI as a tool for action. If you’re passionate about shaping the future of Europe, consider how you could use the European Citizens' Initiative to address pressing issues. How would you use this democratic tool to drive change?
Would you support the initiatives that the students came up with? Share your thoughts below.
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