Join this year’s ECI Day on 18 March in Brussels!

For the second time, the annual ECI Day will be part of European Civil Society Week, this time under the theme: “Strengthening Cohesion and Participation in Polarised Societies.” Register here.

As highlighted in the programme, we have an interesting lineup of high-level speakers from EU institutions, academia, and civil society. In addition, we are hosting a dedicated workshop on “Impact Strategies for ECIs,” which will explore ways to enhance the effectiveness of European Citizens’ Initiatives (ECIs). This session builds on last year’s ECI Day discussions, addressing the key challenges of implementing successful ECIs.

Why this workshop matters?
Since its official introduction in 2012, no European Citizens’ Initiative has been fully implemented by the EU Commission. Only two ECIs have been partially adopted—and only for secondary objectives. Even the 2021 announcement of the full implementation of the End the Cage Age ECI has not materialised thus far, raising strong concerns about the credibility of the ECI process and potential democratic backsliding in the EU. This workshop will address these challenges, exploring strategies to more effectively engage with policymakers and enhance the likelihood of legislative follow-up within EU institutions.

Who should attend?
This session is open for anyone interested and ideal for ECI organisers, policymakers, and civil society organizations looking to strengthen participatory democracy tools—particularly the ECI.