By Daniela Vancic

The ECI is truly unique: there is no other tool anywhere in the world which allows citizens to have a direct impact on legislation. However,it is still waiting for long-overdue recognition, writes Daniela Vancic, European Policy and Advocacy Lead at Democracy International, who shared three ideas for making the ECI more impactful.

The European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) is one of the EU's most powerful democratic tools, second only to the European elections. Engaging over 20 million citizens in its 13 years of existence, the ECI has proven to be an essential platform for participation. Despite its potential however, the ECI rarely receives the recognition it deserves.

Here’s why the ECI matters - and three ideas for making it even more impactful.

The ECI’s role in a polarised world

What makes the ECI truly unique? There’s no tool like it anywhere in the world. The ECI empowers citizens to influence legislation directly by gathering support across at least seven EU Member States. At a time when political polarisation is on the rise, the ECI acts as a vital bridge between citizens and policymakers, fostering collaboration, building connections and driving real change.

At its core, the ECI is about inspiring people to get involved in shaping policy. It brings together diverse groups, sparks public debate and amplifies voices on the European stage. For example, the My Voice, My Choice initiative, which recently garnered over one million signatures, mobilised a network of activists, organisations and public figures (including international figures like Barack Obama) and sparked a broader conversation about fundamental values. This kind of mobilisation creates lasting value for democracy itself, as well as for the cause in question.

Timely action is key

The ECI has immense democratic potential, but to fully unlock it, timely action from EU institutions is essential. While some initiatives, like the End the Cage Age campaign, have led to positive changes in EU policies, there’s often a significant delay between the public’s support for an ECI and legislative follow-up on it. This can be frustrating for both citizens and civil society, who risk losing faith in the process.

To keep the momentum going, the EU should consider fast-tracking ECIs that receive overwhelming public support. While EU legislation takes time, when an ECI has clear,widespread backing,it should receive special care and attention. Citizens should be able to see their ideas transformed into action quickly, making the ECI a catalyst for timely change as well as a tool for influence.

The role of civil society organisations in pushing for European reform

Civil society organisations have always been at the heart of the ECI, mobilising citizens and raising awareness about the tool’s potential. From the beginning, organisations like Democracy International have played a crucial role in developing and supporting the ECI. But civil society’s role doesn’t stop there.

These organisations must continue advocating for reforms that can strengthen the ECI as a democratic instrument. For example, the ECI should be able to propose changes to the EU treaties - a power that is still out of reach but could have a profound impact on the future of Europe. Conversations on treaty reform are evolving and it is increasingly accepted that the EU needs a treaty that is fit to meet the challenges and opportunities of our time, so it’s more important than ever to expand the ECI to give citizens a seat at the table.

Let the ECI be a source of inspiration for policies

Let’s raise the level of ambition for the ECI. One idea for unlocking its full potential is to take ECIs into consideration even if they don’t meet the formal ECI criteria. Not every great idea will hit the one million signature threshold, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth considering. Running an ECI campaign is no easy feat, especially when it involves transnational, multilingual and multinational efforts. Yet some of the best ideas might not have the resources to reach the high bar set for ECI success.

For instance, the ECI Single Communication Tariff Act from 2012 wasn’t a ‘successful’ ECI by the standard definition, but it inspired the ‘Roam Like at Home’ policy that went into effect five years later, benefitting millions of mobile Europeans who can now enjoy data roaming across borders, free of fees. This shows that even ECIs that don’t meet the signature target can spark policy change. The EU should be open to considering all citizen-driven ideas, even those that fall short of the one million mark, and use them as a source of inspiration for future legislation.

Main takeaways

The ECI is an incredibly valuable tool for strengthening democracy in Europe, especially at a time when democratic values are under threat worldwide. It empowers citizens to bring their ideas to the EU stage, mobilising public support and creating meaningful impact. As the ECI enters its teenage years, it is time to think about how to amplify this unique tool and create a stronger, more direct connection between citizens and institutions.

With the continued support of civil society, the ECI can help build a more participatory and responsive European Union, solidifying its place as a global leader in democracy.

Daniela Vancic is the European Policy and Advocacy Lead at Democracy International, where she has been championing participatory and direct democracy since 2017. With over a decade of experience in citizen participation processes, she is a recognised expert on the European Citizens’ Initiative. In 2022, she co-edited the book Complementary Democracy: The Art of Deliberative Listening.

By Elena Calistru

Europe’s economic architecture has been stress-tested by recent crises, with ordinary people bearing the heaviest burden. Our opinion Leaving the crises behind offers a blueprint for an economy that protects individuals and businesses, rather than subjecting them to economic turbulence.

Three economic imperatives stand out:

First, economic forecasting must evolve from retrospective analysis to predictive intervention. When inflation strikes, it hits kitchen tables before economic dashboards. We need sophisticated early detection systems that spot supply bottlenecks and price transmission anomalies before they translate into unaffordable heating bills and groceries. The households most vulnerable to economic shocks are precisely those with the least capacity to absorb them – a reality that demands granular vulnerability mapping to ensure targeted protection.

Second, fiscal capacity must shift from emergency response to built-in stabilisation. NextGenerationEU was impressive but improvisational. Permanent fiscal stabilisation mechanisms with civil society oversight would ensure that crisis responses protect those most at risk. When economic governance ignores distributional effects, the resulting social strain undermines the very resilience we seek to build. Social conditionalities in EU funding should not be seen as bureaucratic hurdles – they could ensure that economic growth translates into improved living standards for everyone.

Third, market integration must accelerate where it matters most for consumers. Energy costs that significantly exceed those of competitors are not just macroeconomic indicators – they are monthly bills that squeeze household budgets across Europe. Strategic investments in cross-border infrastructure and energy market integration are not just abstract economic objectives but tangible relief for families and businesses facing cost-of-living pressures.

Economic policy crafted without civil society input is like navigating without local knowledge – technically possible but practically foolish. When policies are designed with the full participation of those who will experience their consequences, they invariably deliver superior outcomes. This is not about consultation as a formality; it is about harnessing the collective intelligence of organised civil society throughout the policy cycle.

Europe’s competitive social market economy needs modernising, not abandoning. The choice between competitiveness and citizen protection is promoted by those with limited economic imagination. The challenges ahead require institutional creativity that places economic resilience and people’s wellbeing at the heart of Europe’s economic governance.