Stop Vivisection

“Stop Vivisection” was one of the first European Citizens’ Initiatives (ECIs) to successfully collect more than one million statements of support. Registered on 22 June 2012, the initiative called for a European legislative framework aimed at phasing out animal experimentation. Its objectives were twofold: to repeal Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes and to introduce a new legislative proposal requiring the use - in biomedical and toxicological research - of data directly relevant to the human species.

The initiative brought together an unprecedented alliance of more than 250 animal protection organisations, scientific organisations and companies producing cruelty-free products from across Europe. Through a combination of grassroots mobilisation, strategic campaigning and strong volunteer networks, the organisers gathered 1,173,130 validated statements of support and reached the minimum thresholds in ten Member States.

The initiative was registered on 22 June 2012, and signature collection started on the same day. Due to difficulties encountered during the start-up phase of the campaign, the collection period was exceptionally extended by the European Commission and closed on 1 November 2013. Following the verification of signatures, the initiative was formally submitted to the European Commission on 3 March 2015.

The organisers met representatives of the European Commission on 11 May 2015 and presented the initiative during a public hearing at the European Parliament on the same day. The Commission adopted its formal response in a Communication published on 3 June 2015.

Rely on volunteers

For the organisers, volunteers were the initiative’s strongest resource. Building and empowering networks of committed supporters across Europe helped create long-lasting civic engagement and transnational cooperation.

Invest in communication

The campaign relied heavily on social media and online communication tools, but traditional media also played an essential role. According to the organisers, television campaign in Italy was crucial to reaching one million signatures.

Build strong partnerships

Personal contacts and trusted networks at local and national level were essential. The organisers stressed the importance of relying on established partners to mobilise support effectively.

Preparation

The “Stop Vivisection” campaign was built on a broad European alliance of more than 250 organisations supporting animal welfare and alternatives to animal experimentation. Long before the official launch, organisers focused on building strong volunteer networks across Europe. These networks became one of the initiative’s greatest strengths during the signature collection phase.

The experience demonstrated the importance of preparing a European Citizens’ Initiative well in advance. Establishing partnerships, coordinating supporters and creating communication channels early proved essential for sustaining a campaign across multiple countries.

Fundraising

The organisers of “Stop Vivisection” declared EUR 23,651 in support and funding from eight main sponsors.

Note: Further information on this initiative's support and funding is available on the ECI website. Only contributions about €500 per sponsor are required to be reported. 

Campaign strategy

Social media formed the backbone of the campaign’s communication strategy, helping organisers reach supporters across Europe quickly and efficiently. At the same time, traditional media also played a major role in expanding public awareness.

Click here to watch a promotional video by LEAL Lega AntiVivisezionista, one of the sponsors of the “Stop Vivisection ECI”

The organisers also adopted a “spillover strategy” during the collection process. They first focused on building strong support networks in one country and collecting a significant number of signatures there. Once momentum had been established, they used that success to support mobilisation efforts in neighbouring countries in a coordinated way.

Local and national organisations played a decisive role throughout the campaign. The organisers stressed that a purely European-level campaign would likely not have achieved the same results without trusted local partners and individual supporters helping to mobilise communities on the ground.

Promotion picture of the ECI “Stop Vivisection”. Source: Animaniacs Website

Limited financial resources created important technical challenges during the launch of the initiative’s online collection system. In response, the European Commission provided additional support beyond its obligations under the Regulation, including hosting services for the organisers’ online collection system as well as technical assistance and training.

The Commission also exceptionally allowed organisers of initiatives registered before 31 October 2012 to continue collecting statements of support beyond the standard 12-month period. As a result, “Stop Vivisection” was able to collect signatures until 1 November 2013.

Just under 60% of signatures were collected online, while more than 40% were collected on paper, demonstrating the importance of combining digital and traditional campaigning methods.

Interested in knowing how the central online collection system works? Read the Guidance Note on this topic!

The check marks on the chart indicate the EU Member States where the minimum threshold of signatures required for supporting the initiative has been successfully met. The “Stop Vivisection” initiative reached the minimum thresholds in ten Member States. The full table with statements of support is available on the ECI website.

The initiative was submitted for Commission’s examination on 3 March 2015 along with certificates confirming the validity of 1 173 130 statements of support.

Demonstration in support of the ECI “Stop Vivisection” on 13 September 2014 in Montpellier, France. Source: International Campaigns Website 

Formal submission and meetings with the Commission

Following the submission of the initiative on 3 March 2015, the organisers met representatives of the European Commission on 11 May 2015. The meeting included Jyrki Katainen, Vice-President of the European Commission for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness, as well as representatives from the Directorate-General for Environment.

European Parliament public hearing

On the same day, the European Parliament organised a public hearing on the “Stop Vivisection” initiative, during which organisers presented their objectives and exchanged views with Members of the European Parliament. The hearing established an important precedent for future ECIs: for the first time, external scientific experts were invited to contribute alongside the organisers during the parliamentary hearing process.

Watch the recording of the public hearing.

European Commission's formal response

In its Communication of 3 June 2015, the European Commission acknowledged the importance of continuing efforts to replace animal testing but rejected the claim that scientific principles invalidate the ‘animal model’ (for predicting human response) used in research. The Commission therefore decided not to repeal Directive 2010/63/EU, arguing that the existing legal framework already supports progress towards the long-term objective of fully replacing animal testing.

In its reply to this initiative (see press release), the Commission committed to a series of follow-up actions: 

• Accelerating progress in the three Rs (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement) through knowledge sharing; 
• Support to the development, validation and implementation of new alternative approaches;
• Enforcement of compliance with the three Rs principle and alignment of relevant sector legislation; 
• Engaging in dialogue with the scientific community. Regarding the last point, the Commission organised a scientific conference in Brussels on 6-7 December 2016 to debate alternatives to animal testing. At the same time, the Commission reported on the progress of the follow up actions.

Legislative impact and follow up

Although the organisers considered that the Commission’s response did not fully meet their expectations, they emphasised that the initiative still had a lasting political and social impact. According to the organisers, even when legislative change does not immediately follow, “a well-organised European Citizens’ Initiative is a public awareness exercise that will contribute to political change.”

The campaign also created durable communication networks and partnerships that continued beyond the formal end of the initiative. Websites, social media channels and organisational alliances established during the campaign remained active afterwards, helping organisations continue advocating on issues related to animal experimentation.

The organisers later reflected that the campaign not only collected signatures but also strengthened civic engagement and European cooperation among volunteers. For many organisers and volunteers, the initiative demonstrated that the networks and synergies built during a European Citizens' Initiative can continue growing long after the campaign itself has ended. Many participants also developed valuable organisational and advocacy skills that continued to benefit other campaigns and civic initiatives well beyond the life of the ECI.

More information on the follow-up actions can be found on the European Citizens’ Initiative website. 

Put volunteers at the heart of your campaign! 

Dedicated volunteers are often the strongest driving force behind a successful European Citizens’ Initiative.

Make the most of online communication

Social media and digital tools can help you mobilise supporters quickly and maintain visibility across borders.

Keep your supporters motivated

Regular updates on signature collection progress help maintain momentum and strengthen team spirit.

Use trusted personal networks

Partners’ local contacts and community networks can significantly expand your campaign’s reach and credibility.

Focus on your strongest countries first

Building momentum in countries where you already have strong partners can help you reach national thresholds more effectively.

Want to know more about other ECIs against animal testing? Read the Success Story on “Save Cruelty Free Cosmetics - Commit to a Europe without Animal Testing”

Additional information regarding “Stop Vivisection” is available on the organisers' website and the ECI website.