CSCG response to Commission’s Green Paper on Citizens’ Initiative

The Lisbon Treaty introduces a new form of public participation in European Union policy shaping, the European Citizens’ Initiative, which enables one million citizens who are nationals of a significant number of Member States to call directly on the European Commission to bring forward an initiative of interest to them in an area of EU competence. On 11 November 2009, the European Commission launched a public consultation on the Citizens’ Initiative. This consultation will provide the future rules and procedures on using the European Citizens’ Initiative.

Due to the importance of this new tool, civil society is closely following EU processes involving the European Citizens’ Initiative. Prior to the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, many civil society organisations advocated for this initiative which is now enshrined in the Lisbon Treaty. It is designed to increase public participation in EU decision-making.

The Civil Society Contact Group welcomes this initiative and released a response to the consultation, which can be found here. The deadline for reply is the end of January 2010. After this date, the European Commission will put forward a proposal for a regulation to be adopted by the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers. More information on the consultation can be found here

The Civil Society Contact Group made several proposals, including:

 Using one quarter of the total number of Member States to constitute a “significant number of Member States” as required by the Treaty, which would balance adequate representativeness and facilitate the use of this instrument.

 Not linking the minimum age for participating in a European Citizens’ Initiative to voting age. The EU Citizens’ initiative is different in legal character from voting in parliamentary elections or in referenda that bring about direct, legally binding outcomes. Allowing younger European Citizens to be involved in the process would foster a sense of European citizenship. The minimum age should therefore be not more than 16 years.

 Should there be any need to clarify the subject matter and objectives of an initiative, the Commission should contact the initiator within two weeks of receiving it to seek clarification.

 Regarding the requirements for the collection, verification and authentication of signatures, it is important that Citizens’ Initiatives can use internet-based solutions for gathering support across the EU. The requirements should not pose administrative burdens.

 EU citizens should be able to support a Citizens’ Initiative regardless of their country of residence simply by providing their name and address; an electronic signature should be valid.

 Organisers should provide information about their organisation and the finances involved in their campaign, including information on amounts and sources of funding. Organisers and affiliated groups must not be allowed to reward (in money or in kind) citizens for signing up to the initiative. Organisations should also provide information on the support and funding that they have received for an initiative.

 Within three months of the initiative having reached one million signatures, the Commission should respond publically as to whether or not it intends to act on it. If the Commission intends to act, it should adopt its proposal within 12 months of having given its initial response.

 Long-term residents who are citizens of third countries should be given the opportunity to participate in citizens’ initiatives.

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