Citizens' Initiative (European Citizens' Initiative)

The European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) is a mechanism allowing at least one million EU citizens from a minimum of seven member states to propose new EU legislation or policy changes. It enables voters to directly influence the EU's agenda by gathering support through a petition process. Once the threshold is met, the European Commission considers the proposal and may adopt legislative measures. The ECI empowers citizens to participate actively in EU decision-making, promoting democratic engagement and ensuring that public concerns can shape EU policies.