Get a greater say in the policies that affect your life. The European Citizens' Initiative is a unique way for you to help shape the EU by calling on the European Commission to propose new laws. Once an initiative has reached 1 million signatures, the Commission will decide on what action to take. See how it works step by step
If you consider starting an initiative, consult the ECI Forum for legal and practical advice.
On 8 April 2025 the European Commission organised the event ‘Spotlight on the European Citizens' Initiative: Collaborating Across the EU’, to engage institutional partners and the ECI network in further raising awareness about the ECI. Commissioner in charge of the ECI, Maroš Šefčovič, opened the event and participated in a high-level panel together with Vice-President of the European Parliament Katarina Barley (S&D/DE), President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) Oliver Röpke and Executive Director of the European Citizens Action Service Assya Kavrakova. The event also brought together the ECI Ambassadors, national contact points, organisers of on-going ECIs as well as members of the EESC ECI Group. Participants showcased examples of communicating the ECI on the ground and brainstormed further ideas of bringing the information about the ECI closer to citizens.
In line with Article 15 of the ECI Regulation, the organisers of the eleventh successful European citizens’ initiative ‘Cohesion policy for the equality of the regions and sustainability of the regional cultures’ were given the opportunity to explain the objectives of their initiative in detail. They were received on 25 March 2025 by Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto and European Commission officials.
The European citizens’ initiative ‘Cohesion policy for the equality of the regions and sustainability of the regional cultures’ obtained 1,269,351 validated statements of support from EU citizens and reached minimum numbers in 8 countries. The initiative was submitted to the European Commission on 4 March 2025, making it the 11th valid initiative to be examined by the Commission.
The initiative calls for the cohesion policy of the Union to pay special attention to regions with characteristics that are different from those of the surrounding regions.
The Commission has until 4 September 2025 to present its official reply, outlining the actions it intends to take, if any. The Commission will meet the organisers to discuss the initiative in detail in the coming weeks. A public hearing will then be organised by the European Parliament.
Check the upcoming events related to the European Citizens’ Initiative. You can also see the list of past events; for some, recordings are available.
