How EU Citizens Help Shape EU Laws and Policies

In June, Europeans cast their votes to elect their representatives in the European Parliament, showcasing democracy in action. However, voting is not the only way EU citizens can make their voices heard and influence the creation of EU laws. The European Union offers various tools that allow the public to co-create EU policies daily, not just every five years during elections.

Initiating New Proposals

One powerful way EU citizens can participate is through the European Citizens’ Initiative. If you believe the EU should take action on a specific issue, you can launch a citizens' initiative, urging the European Commission to propose new legislation on that topic. For example, recent initiatives that the Commission registered include proposals for closing animal farms and improving food labeling.

Petitions and Complaints

Citizens can also submit petitions to the European Parliament. A petition is a formal request asking the Parliament to address an issue that affects you or your community, or it can be a complaint about how an existing EU law is being applied. This process provides another direct avenue for citizens to influence EU policy and ensure their concerns are heard.

European Citizens’ Panels

The European Citizens’ Panels are another tool for engagement. These panels bring together randomly selected citizens from all 27 EU Member States to discuss important upcoming proposals at the European level. The panels provide a forum for citizens to deliberate on key issues and make recommendations for the European Commission to consider when defining new policies and initiatives.

Citizen Engagement Platform

The Citizen Engagement Platform offers a dedicated space for EU citizens to engage in discussions and debates on policies that affect everyone. Participants can contribute by posting their views, commenting on others' contributions, or endorsing ideas they support. This platform ensures that a diverse range of perspectives is considered in the policymaking process.

Have Your Say Portal

Another way for citizens to get involved is through the "Have Your Say" portal. By registering on this platform, you can share your opinions on various Commission initiatives. This input helps fine-tune EU legislation during different stages of the process, including roadmaps, draft acts, proposals, and adopted acts. Typically, these documents are open for feedback for four weeks, providing ample opportunity for public input.

These tools and platforms highlight the EU’s commitment to involving its citizens in the legislative process, allowing them to actively participate in shaping the future of Europe.

Article source: https://commission.europa.eu/news/how-eu-citizens-help-shape-eu-laws-and-policy-2024-07-25_en

Photo attribution: EmDee, Belgique - Bruxelles - Schuman - Berlaymont - 01, CC BY-SA 4.0