BlueLink Joins the European Citizens’ Initiative Ambassadors Network from Bulgaria

BlueLink joins the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) Ambassadors Network as an organisation from Bulgaria. Through this role, the civic action network will contribute to improving public understanding and use of this tool for citizen participation at the European level.

The European Citizens’ Initiative is a participatory democracy instrument of the European Union that allows citizens to invite the European Commission to propose new legislation in areas where the EU has competence. For an initiative to be considered, it must collect at least one million signatures from citizens in a minimum of seven EU Member States within one year.

Pavel Antonov, Executive Editor of BlueLink, took part in a meeting of the ECI Ambassadors Network in Brussels, where he spoke with Daniela Vancic from Democracy International about the importance of the initiative and the opportunities it provides for citizens.

The voice of citizens matters

“The voice of citizens matters. Let us use this opportunity in Bulgaria as well,” says Pavel Antonov.

According to Daniela Vancic, the European Citizens’ Initiative gives citizens the right to mobilise together around issues they care about and bring them to the European level.

“If you succeed in collecting one million signatures, you can start a conversation with the European institutions and achieve real change,” she notes.

Watch the video on the BlueLink website

How the European Citizens’ Initiative works

To launch an initiative, it must first be proposed by a group of citizens from different Member States and registered by the European Commission. Organisers then have 12 months to gather the required support. If successful, the European Commission examines the proposal and decides what action to take, publicly explaining the reasons for its decision.

The ambassadors of the European Citizens’ Initiative are organisations and individuals with experience in citizen participation who work to promote the instrument, encourage public debate, and support citizens in acting on causes they consider important.

As an ambassador from Bulgaria, BlueLink will direct citizens, journalists, and organisations to reliable information, practical resources, and opportunities to participate in initiatives at the European level, while also helping them navigate the process of creating and running civic campaigns.

Who to contact

Citizens and organisations wishing to learn more or considering launching their own initiative can contact BlueLink through the contact details on the website.

Additional information and practical guidance are available through the European Citizens’ Initiative Forum, which offers free expert support for organisers.

General information about the European Union can be obtained through Europe Direct or by calling 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11.

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This publication is part of the public-interest mission of “BlueLink”, which includes:

• protecting the environment, democracy, and the values of a united Europe

• supporting citizens working together to defend these values

• through the responsible use of digital technologies

• maintaining BlueLink.net as an independent information forum – a network for civic thinking and action

If you share this mission, even in a small way, please support its implementation with a donation here: www.bluelink.net/en/support.html or contact us to discuss a targeted donation.

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