The European Citizens’ Initiative: A Tool for Change or a Forgotten Mechanism?
The European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) was introduced in 2012 as a groundbreaking democratic tool designed to give EU citizens a direct voice in shaping the Union’s policies. With the promise of enabling people to influence decisions on critical issues such as ending animal testing, ensuring safe access to abortion, and eliminating toxic pesticides, the ECI aimed to foster a more participatory form of governance. However, after 12 years, its effectiveness remains questionable.
To date, 144 initiatives have been launched, but only 10 have received a formal response from the European Commission. This low success rate has led many to question whether the ECI is truly empowering citizens or if it has become an underutilized platform that fails to deliver tangible results.
Professor Alberto Alemanno, founder of The Good Lobby, acknowledges the potential of ECIs but points out their current shortcomings. “ECIs are a potentially revolutionary mechanism,” he says, “but they remain little known and underused.” Out of the 144 registered initiatives, only 14 reached the one million signature threshold required for consideration, resulting in a success rate of just 12%.
European Ombudsman Teresa Anjinho agrees that the concept behind ECIs is powerful but admits that it hasn’t met expectations. She emphasizes the need for better communication about the initiative’s purposes and functions, suggesting that awareness campaigns must be strengthened so citizens fully understand what an ECI can and cannot achieve.
Since 2019, the number of new initiatives registered has been declining. Yet, some advocates believe there could be a resurgence as civil society faces increasing pressure across the EU and loses access to traditional channels of influence.
The Commission's Perspective: Confidence in the ECI
Despite these concerns, the European Commission maintains that the ECI is functioning effectively and continues to be a valuable instrument for citizen engagement. According to Commission spokesperson Olof Gill, the ECI allows citizens to influence the EU’s agenda and has already produced real-world outcomes.
Gill highlighted several legislative acts that were triggered by successful ECIs, including the revised Drinking Water Directive, the regulation on transparency and sustainability in the food chain, and the Nature Restoration Law. Additionally, the Commission has announced plans to phase out animal testing for chemical safety assessments and improve monitoring of shark trade. It is also studying a potential ban on the sale and trade of loose shark fins.
The Commission argues that ECIs can drive discussions and shape policy at the EU level. However, campaigners and civil society groups remain frustrated with the slow or absent follow-up from the Commission, warning that this could undermine both the tool itself and the EU’s credibility.
Case Studies: Delays and Legal Action
One notable example is the "End the Cage Age" ECI, which mobilized over 1.4 million people to call for an end to keeping farmed animals in cages. The European Commission committed to achieving this goal by the end of 2023. However, six years later, no significant progress has been made, prompting petitioners to take the matter to the EU’s top court.
Eloise Shavelar, global head of campaigns and advocacy at Compassion in World Farming, states that the upcoming ruling by the European Court of Justice will determine whether ECIs are an effective tool. In response to the delay, the Commission has said that work is still underway but has provided no timeline for when the draft proposal might be published or explained the reasons for the delay.
“The Commission is now carefully assessing important aspects to design a well-balanced approach to reply to societal demands and to ensure the transition to cage-free farming is sustainable and economically viable for the agricultural sector and for our food systems,” a spokesperson said in an emailed statement to Euronews.
Emerging Issues and Future Directions
More recent ECIs have focused on pressing social and political issues, such as an EU-wide ban on conversion therapy and new legislation to prevent and reduce the impact of extremism, particularly on the single market. The Commission is also working on a response to a call for stronger protection of Europe’s regional cultural identities.
While the ECI holds promise as a democratic tool, its current state highlights the need for greater awareness, improved communication, and more robust follow-through from the European Commission. Without these changes, the ECI may continue to be seen as a symbolic gesture rather than a meaningful mechanism for change.