What is an ECI 

A European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) is a democratic tool that lets EU citizens ask the European Commission to propose new laws or change existing ones. If 1 million people from across the EU sign, the Commission must consider the proposal. 

HOW IT WORKS

1️⃣ Registration
The organisers submit their proposal to the European Commission. If the proposal meets all legal requirements, it is officially registered as a European Citizens’ Initiative.

2️⃣ Signature Collection
Once registered, organisers have 12 months to gather support. To succeed, the initiative must collect at least 1 million signatures from EU citizens — either online or on paper.

3️⃣ Threshold in 7 Countries
Signatures must come from at least seven different EU countries, and each must reach its national minimum number of signatories to ensure widespread support.

4️⃣ Commission Response
If the initiative meets all criteria, the European Commission must examine it and give an official reply. While the Commission is not obliged to propose new laws, the initiative can lead to debates in the European Parliament and influence EU policy.