1. The European Citizens’ Initiative Legal framework Rules and procedures The procedure at a glance Initiatives Online collection Signatories The ECI in the Czech Republic Prague, 20.03.2013

2. A European citizens’ initiative is an invitation to the European Commission to propose legislation.

3. It must be in a field where the Commission has the power to propose legislation, for example environment, agriculture, transport, public health, etc.

4. It has to be backed by at least one million EU citizens, coming from at least 7 out of the 27 member states.

5. 1st transnational tool of participatory democracy -> unique opportunity to bring the EU closer to citizens

6. Legal framework Lisbon Treaty (Article 11(4) TUE): Not less than one million citizens who are nationals of a significant number of Member States may take the initiative of inviting the European Commission, within the framework of its powers, to submit any appropriate proposal on matters where citizens consider that a legal act of the Union is required for the purpose of implementing the Treaties.

7. The procedures and conditions required for such a citizens’ initiative shall be determined in accordance with the first paragraph of Article 24 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Legal framework (cont.)

8. Article 24 TFEU: The European Parliament and the Council, acting by means of regulations in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, shall adopt the provisions for the procedures and conditions required for a citizens’ initiative within the meaning of Article 11 of the Treaty on European Union, including the minimum number of Member States from which such citizens must come.

9. EU Regulation needed: Regulation (EU) No 211/2011 on the citizens’ initiativeRegulation (EU) No 211/2011 on the citizens’ initiative Adopted by European Parliament and Council in February 2011 and applicable since 1 April 2012 Legal framework (cont.)

10. Rules and procedures Citizens’ committee to launch initiative: At least 7 EU citizens living in at least 7 different Member States

11. Registration in Commission’s online register (Commission’s answer within 2 months). ECI should not be: a)Manifestly outside the Commission’s powers b)Manifestly abusive, frivolous or vexatious c)Manifestly contrary to EU values If it is  Commission rejects registration Rules and procedures (cont.)

12. Organisers responsible for collection of signatures Collection possible in paper form and online

13. Online collection:organisers must build their online collection system and get it certified by the competent authority in the Member State where data will be stored  Competent authority in CZ: Ministry of Interior Rules and procedures (cont.)

14. Specific security requirements set out in Commission implementing regulation (EU) No 1179/2011 Commission implementing regulation (EU) No 1179/2011 Commission has developed open-source software to help organisers build their system software Rules and procedures (cont.)

15. Time-limit for collection: 1 year Minimum number of Member States: ¼ (currently 7) Minimum n° of citizens per Member State: N° of MEPs x 750 ->Minimum n° of citizens  16,500 in the Czech Republic

16. Any EU citizen old enough to vote in the European Parliament elections (18 except Austria 16) can sign up. Specific statement of support forms to sign up: varying data requirements according to Member State Data for CZ: First names, Family names, Nationality, Identification document type and number (ID card or passport) Rules and procedures (cont.)

17. Member States responsible for verification of statements of support: free to decide how (e.g. random checks) - 3 months to answer  Competent authority in CZ: Ministry of Interior

18. Final stage for successful initiatives: a)COM must meet organisers at appropriate level b)Public hearing in EP with Commission c)COM has 3 months to respond, explaining its reasons for taking or not taking action Rules and procedures (cont.)

19. The procedure at a glance Prepare your initiative and set up your citizens’ committee Register your initiative You wish to collect online? Get your system certified Collect statements of support in at least 7 Member States Get statements of support certified by Member States You have at least one million signatories? Submit your initiative to the Commission The Commission examines your initiative and replies If the Commission decides to follow your initiative. The legislative procedure starts.

20. Initiatives  29 requests for registration: -19 accepted, 5 of which withdrawn but 3 re-registered -> 14 are ongoing, 10 of which collect online -8 rejected -2 being analysed

22.  Difficulties for the first organisers to find affordable host providers to install the software and to provide the required documentation for the certification  Exceptional measures taken by the Commission: Online collection

23. a)Temporary and optional platform for hosting the organisers' online collection systems b)Direct technical assistance to the organisers, including in the drafting of the documents for the certification c)Statements of support accepted until 1 November 2013 for all initiatives registered before 31 October 2012 Online collection (cont.)

24.  8 initiatives currently hosted on the Commission servers (first one started to collect end October). Online collection (cont.)

25. a) Right2water: 1,350,000 (thresholds reached in 5 countries) b) Uno di Noi: 125,000 c) Stop vivisection: 110,000 d) Fraternité 2020 - Mobility. Progress. Europe.: 60,000 Signatories (information as published by the organisers)

26. e)“30 km/h - making the streets liveable!": 16,000 f) End ecocide: A Citizens' Initiative to give the Earth Rights: 14,000 g) European initiative for media pluralism: 2,000 Signatories (cont.)

27. The ECI in the Czech Republic No Czech nationals among the organisers of initiatives, only one organiser residing in CZ Most represented countries: France, Spain, UK, Germany, Belgium and Italy - also well represented in proportion of their population: the Netherlands, Sweden and Austria

28. No Czech organisation or person supporting ECIs Most recent Eurobarometer (Autumn 2012):  19% of Czech citizens would be likely or very likely to use the ECI-> Slightly below the EU average (21%) The ECI in the Czech Republic (cont.)

29. Right2water: Distribution of signatories by country published on the organisers' website 3690 statements of support would have been collected in the Czech Republic (1500 on paper and 2190 online). Source: http://www.right2water.eu/sites/water/files/Latest%20figures%2012March2013.pdf http://www.right2water.eu/sites/water/files/Latest%20figures%2012March2013.pdf

30. Further information: http://ec.europa.eu/citizens-initiative http://ec.europa.eu/citizens-initiative Point of contact for any questions: Europe Direct http://ec.europa.eu/citizens-initiative/public/contact http://ec.europa.eu/citizens-initiative/public/contact