The European citizens’ initiative (ECI) gives citizens a direct say in shaping EU policies. By starting or signing an initiative, citizens can invite the European Commission to propose new EU laws on issues that are important to them.
If an initiative gathers 1 million signatures from at least seven EU countries, the Commission is required to assess the proposal and provide an official response.
During this review, the organisers are invited to meet with the Commission and to present their ideas at a public hearing in the European Parliament, before the Commission decides any action.
Through the ECI, citizens don’t just voice their opinions – they can help set the EU’s policy agenda and turn shared ideas into action.
Key figures
The ECI was introduced in 2012 as a new way for citizens to have their say on EU policies. Since then, it has enabled over 20 million citizens to put issues on the EU agenda, influence debates in the European Parliament, and trigger new EU laws.
How ECIs affect your daily life
ECIs have shaped EU policy and public debate and have led to real change that people can see in their daily lives:
Cleaner, safer water for everyoneThanks to the ‘Right2Water’ initiative, EU law now imposes higher water quality standards and improves access to safe drinking water in public places. Cities are adding fountains in parks, stations and schools, and governments are improving access for vulnerable groups – making a basic need easier to meet.
- More transparency about what we eat
After citizens demanded a glyphosate ban and a reform of the pesticide approval procedure, new transparency rules now require that all food safety studies submitted to EU authorities must be public – giving people the right to know on what basis approvals were granted.
- Pressure for pesticide reduction and nature recovery
‘Save bees and farmers!’ helped push forward EU proposals to reduce pesticide use and restore nature. This public demand has strengthened political will to act on biodiversity and the future of farming.
- Momentum to limit animal testing
The ‘Save Cruelty Free Cosmetics’ initiative led the EU to start a roadmap to phase out animal testing when assessing safety of chemicals and speed up the use of alternative research methods – protecting animals while supporting innovation in science.
- Better protection for threatened species
Citizen pressure through ‘Stop Finning – Stop the Trade’ led to new customs codes that allow authorities to track the shark fin trade properly – closing loopholes and strengthening transparency, while supporting ongoing EU and international efforts to improve enforcement of rules and protection for sharks.
- Concrete steps toward ending cage farming and fur production
Following the ‘End the Cage Age’ and ‘Fur Free Europe’ initiatives, the EU has launched scientific reviews, field visits and legal assessments that are feeding into upcoming decisions on animal welfare.
In short: ECIs give citizens a direct hand in shaping EU law, and the results are already visible – in how we drink water, how food safety is regulated and how nature is protected. This is citizen power translated into policy.
Even when the Commission does not propose a new law, an ECI can still bring meaningful results. Initiatives often highlight real issues, leading to improved policies, better enforcement of existing rules, and improved monitoring tools, for example
Detailed information on follow-up to successful ECIs
This initiative sought to improve access to safe and legal abortion services for women in Europe who currently lack such access.
This initiative received a reply from the Commission on 26 February 2026.
This initiative called for cohesion policy to support culturally distinct regions’ development and equal access to EU funds.
This initiative received a reply from the Commission on 3 September 2025.
This initiative sought to end the use and trade of fur in the EU.
This initiative received a reply from the Commission replied on 7 December 2023.
This initiative aimed to strengthen the ban on animal testing for cosmetics and modernise EU chemicals legislation.
This initiative received a reply from the Commission on 25 July 2023.
This initiative called for ending shark finning and the international trade in shark fins.
This initiative received a reply from the Commission on 5 July 2023.
This initiative aimed to promote bee-friendly agricultural practices and stronger pesticide reduction.
This initiative received a reply from the Commission on 5 April 2023.
This initiative sought to phase out the use of cage systems in animal farming.
This initiative received a reply from the Commission on 30 June 2021.
This initiative sought stronger protection of national and linguistic minorities and cultural diversity.
This initiative received a reply from the Commission on 14 January 2021.
This initiative aimed to ban glyphosate and reinforce risk-assessment transparency.
This initiative received a reply from the Commission on 12 December 2017.
This initiative called for a shift away from animal testing towards non-animal methods.
This initiative received a reply from the Commission on 3 June 2015.
This initiative called for ending EU funding and activities that involve the destruction of human embryos in research, development aid and public health.
This initiative received a reply from the Commission on 28 May 2014.
This initiative sought to recognise water and sanitation as human rights and to promote the provision of water and sanitation as essential public services for all.
The initiative received a reply from the Commission on 19 March 2014.
