European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI)

The European Citizens' Initiative (ECI), introduced in 2009 with the Lisbon Treaty, is a key element of participatory democracy, allowing citizens to play an active role in the EU's democratic life, through addressing a request to the European Commission to make a proposal for a legal act. The procedure and conditions for ECIs are governed by Regulation (EU) No 211/2011, in force since April 2012.

In September 2017, the European Commission presented a proposal for its amendment, picking up on a number of suggestions for improvement.

This is a further update of an 'at a glance' note published in July 2017.

For a more detailed information on the proposed amendment of the ECI Regulation, please see EPRS' 'EU Legislation in progress' briefing, Revising the European Citizens' initiative.

Author: Nikolai Atanassov.

ESO: Find further information on this topic http://www.europeansources.info/advSearchLink?keyword=european%20citizens`%20initiative%20&searchOption=all

ESO: Key Source: The European Citizens' Initiative http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-european-citizens-initiative/

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