How to look for partners

Partners of an initiative are the individuals and organisations that will help amplify your message, raise awareness of the campaign, and encourage people to sign your European Citizens' Initiative (ECI).

Thus, as an organiser, you need to map out potential partners at the local, regional, national, and European levels to help support your ECI. Here are some different categories of partners you can search for:

• Intermediaries 

  Membership organisations sympathetic to the topic of your initiative, such as trade unions, NGOs, associations, etc.

• Sponsors 

  Some intermediaries may be willing to support the campaign (with funds or through 'in-kind' support). You may also want to consider applying to relevant charitable foundations.

• Influencers 

  Politicians, journalists, and 'celebrities' who are willing to support your initiative can boost the collection of signatures and raise awareness of the initiative at the same time.

• Volunteers 

  The online communities that follow organisers and partners or cluster around relevant topic-specific hashtags are an important source of volunteers who will help to carry the campaign messages into those communities, both online and offline, and gather signatures.

Watch this short video for real-life advice on how to build a successful support network. Featuring insights from experienced ECI organisers Théo Giubilei (PsychedeliCare) and Olaf Grawert (HouseEurope!), and the ECAS digital democracy expert Elisa Lironi, this clip shares practical tips for finding the right partners, creating trust, and mobilising support across countries. Learn what worked in Italy, France, and beyond — and why finding ambassadors, influencers, and strategic allies is key to reaching one million signatures.

Read more information about how to look for partners in the guidance note below: 

Learn from successful ECIs

Learn from organisers who successfully collected 1 million verified signatures. Read the Success Stories. 

Discover the first-ever ECI Infopacket designed specifically for civil society organisations, by civil society organisations!