Debate with ECI stakeholders in Croatia

On Friday 4 October 2024, the EESC´s Ad hoc Group on the European Citizens’ Initiative (AHG ECI) organised a debate on "The European Citizens’ Initiative – State of play in Croatia" in Zagreb. The objective of the debate was for the ad hoc group members to listen to and talk with local stakeholders about their experience, views and ideas, especially on the visibility and awareness of the European Citizens´ Initiative (ECI) in Croatia, and on lessons learned and good practices identified so far. 

The Zagreb debate was the very first event of this kind. Hosted by the Croatian Chamber of Trades and Crafts (Hrvatska Obrtnička Komora), the EESC´s ad hoc group members had the pleasure to welcome to the event Ms Margareta Mađerić, State Secretary in the Croatian Ministry of Labour, Mr Dino Zorić from the Ministry of Justice, representatives of the European Commission and the ECI Forum, and numerous participants representing Europe Direct centres, universities, local authorities and national economic and social council, as well as Croatian ECI  Ambassadors and ECI organisers, university students and other ECI stakeholders.  

The debate was followed in the afternoon by a regular AHG ECI meeting and a walk in the city centre of Zagreb during which the ad hoc group members engaged with Croatians directly by handing out the EESC´s popular European Democracy Passport.  

Download RECOMMENDATION - Functioning of the European citizens' initiative

EESC opinion on the "Regulation of the European Citizens´ Initiative"