What Is An ECI?
So what is an ECI exactly?
- An ECI — or European Citizens’ Initiative — is a participatory democracy instrument that allows citizens to suggest concrete legal changes in any field where the European Commission has the power to propose legislation. An initiative can be launched by a minimum of seven EU citizens, living in at least seven different Member States.
- ONCE an initiative gathers one million signatures with a minimum threshold reached in at least seven countries, the European Commission must decide whether or not to take action.
- IF the Commission decides to put forward a legislative proposal, the normal legislative procedure kicks off: the Commission’s proposal is submitted to the legislator (generally the European Parliament and the Council or in some cases only the Council) and, if adopted, it becomes law.
