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.
What is an ECI