The ABCs of ‘EU Democracy in Action’ - presenting a European Citizens’ Initiative Toolkit

In this episode we speak about on-going efforts to make the ECI common European knowledge – starting with high school students. The ‘EU Democracy in Action – Have Your Say with the European Citizens’ Initiative’ Toolkit was developed by the European Commission and piloted in secondary schools in early 2023. Interviews come from many different angles: we hear from MEP Loránt Vincze, who was an organiser of a ECI campaign “back in the day” and who is an avid supporter of citizenship education, and Małgorzata Malczyk, an English teacher who piloted the toolkit in a school in Poland. In addition, Silvia Kersemakers, the team leader of the ECI team in Brussels gives insights into why the toolkit was developed and we hear the voices of several young people – showing there’s scope for increasing awareness about the European Citizens’ Initiative.

For animals, people and planet! Hear the voices of people proposing new solutions to old practices

In this episode of CitizenCentral, animal products are up for discussion with two European citizens’ initiative organisers. They believe modern technologies offer solutions to what they consider old and unsustainable practices, and that the technology can benefit animals, people and planet. Filippo Borsellino, organiser of the ‘End the Slaughter Age’ initiative, focuses on transferring EU subsidies from livestock farming to cell- and plant-based alternatives. We also hear from a guest running a Spanish start-up that produces cultivated meat alternatives. Elise Fleury is the representative of the ‘Fur Free Europe’ initiative, which aims to ban fur farms and farmed fur products from the European market. In addition to discussing this issue, she shares insights on how to run a successful ECI campaign.

Fair Pay and Fair Play: Meet Europeans campaigning for transparency

Join us in a conversation with three current European citizens’ initiative organisers from the Netherlands, France and Denmark. Kirsten Kossen, organiser of ‘Good Clothes, Fair Pay’ initiative asks for legislation on a living wage for workers in the garment and footwear sectors. The initiative asks for more transparency and accountability in the supply chain, aiming to reduce poverty and combat child labour. We also hear from Ronan Evain, executive director of Football Supporters Europe and representative of the ‘Win it on the Pitch’ initiative. This group of organisers want to protect the European model of sport and prevent any more ‘super-league-style' breakaway attempts. They aim to officially recognise the social value of sport in European society and involve fans in discussions about the long-term future of European sport. Finally, we visit Pernille Schriver in Demark who is a representative of the ‘Stop 5G – Stay Connected but Protected’ initiative. This initiative combines concerns from many groups and aims to address alleged radiation, environmental, and data collection and surveillance issues of wireless connectivity. Disclaimer: The Commission does not in any way confirm the factual correctness of the content of the ‘Stop 5G’ initiative, which is the sole responsibility of the group of organisers. In fact, a number of the claims made in this initiative run contrary to the body of scientific evidence available to the Commission, and to the assessments made by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), the body mandated by the World Health Organisation to assess the risks for health.

Citizen lobbyists and future leaders: Hear the voices of young Europeans

In thischapter, we hear from a group of Europeans 26-and-under from 9 different EUcountries as they share ideas on voting, EU policymaking, citizen activism andthe European Citizens’ Initiative. They also tell us what ideas they would liketo see turned into citizens’ initiatives. We also hear from Daniela Vancic fromDemocracy International, and Paco Camas of public opinion research companyIpsos. Daniela argues that the ECI and other participatory tools help young peopleengage with the issues they care about, and Paco gives us facts and figures onyoung people’s participation in the EU today. Finally, wehear from two organisers of the citizens’ initiative “Ending the aviation fueltax exemption in Europe” (also called ‘Fairosene’). These two young citizenlobbyists reflect upon their campaign and why it ended on a high note.

Recycling and VAT rates: Meet Europeans in search of sustainable solutions

CitizenCentral returns for a second season! Join us as we talk with two citizen initiatives’ organisers taking different approaches to sustainability and consumer behaviour, as well as three climate and sustainability experts across the EU. Omar Pérez of the ‘ReturnThePlastics’ initiative explains how this group of organisers aim to replicate recycling systems that already exist in several EU countries. As the results of existing systems start to show, their idea is to install an EU-wide deposit scheme to recycle plastic bottles, using reverse vending machines in supermarkets. A big question remains – who should pay for this system? Brigitta Hartmann represents the ‘Green VAT’ initiative, which calls for tax reductions on organic, sustainably produced or environmentally friendly products in Europe. The goal is to both give consumers more choice and encourage companies to rethink how products are produced. But, one might ask, would there still be a tax base if all the products become green?

European Citizens’ Initiative @10: new initiatives and fond memories

Featuring ‘Save Cruelty Free Cosmetics’, ‘Stop Global Warming – a price for carbon to fight climate change’ and ‘Fraternité 2020 - Mobility. Progress. Europe.’ ECIs In 2022 we celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the ECI, and in this chapter we meet organisers from the past, present and (potentially) future - Simona Pronckutė, Dr Julia Baines and Virginia Fiume. Save Cruelty Free Cosmetics is a current initiative aiming to fully ban cosmetics ingredient tests on animals and modernise animal-free science. And they want to become the fastest ECI to reach 1 million signatures! After two years of campaigning and the signature collection period closing in the summer of 2021, Virginia Fiume shares insightful reflections from the Stop Global Warming initiative. She and her colleagues have channelled their experience with the ECI into the EUMANS.eu project and promise to be back! Finally, we hear from an organiser of the first-ever registered ECI ‘Fraternité 2020 - Mobility. Progress. Europe.’ What was Simona’s experience like 10 years ago – and how has taking part in an ECI influenced her life? Note: Response of the European Chemicals Agency to animal testing and the PETA campaign: https://ec.europa.eu/environment/chemicals/reach/animal_en.htm

Vaccines and copyright - meet the Europeans fighting for changes in EU policies

Featuring‘Freedom to Share’, and ‘Right to Cure’ ECIs This chapter of CitizenCentral shines a light oncopyright and intellectual property (IP) rights. Gregory Engels, representingthe Freedom to Share initiative, aims to influence European copyrightlaw and legalise file sharing via digital networks. Julie Steendam, on theother hand, represents the ‘Right to Cure’ (also called ‘No profit on pandemic’) initiative whichcalls on the European Commission to make sure all vaccines and treatments forthe coronavirus are available to everyone worldwide and at no cost. Both breakdown complicated topics related to the impact of copyright and intellectualproperty laws, our freedom and the cost we pay. Both initiatives were registered and started signaturecollection in mid-2021 - listen to how it is going for them so far.

Conscious consumers – meet Europeans fighting climate change in creative ways

Featuring‘Ban Fossil Fuel Advertising and Sponsorship’and 'European EcoScore’ ECIs In the fifth chapterof CitizenCentral we hear from Silvia Pastorelli and AntoineThill – two organisers striving to help holdcompanies responsible and help consumersmake sustainable choices – each in differentways. The Ban Fossil Fuel Ads initiative aims for an EU legislative actprohibiting advertisements for fossil fuels,including for road and water-borne transportation that ispowered by fossil fuels. It takes inspiration from the banon tobacco advertisement already in place across the EU and looks tomake systemic change for the climate crisis. Meanwhile, organisersof the European EcoScore initiative want a compulsory labelproviding European consumers with transparent information about theenvironmental impact of products manufactured or sold in theEU. Both initiatives were registered and started signaturecollection in mid-2021 - listen to how it is going for them so far.

Meet the Europeans trying to reclaim our faces and alleviate poverty across the continent

Featuring‘Reclaim Your Face’ and 'Start Unconditional Basic Income (UBI)throughout the EU’ ECIs In the fourth chapterof CitizenCentral we hear from Ella Jakubowska and Catarina Neves - discussingdifferent ways to protect fundamental rights and reduce inequality across theEU. Reclaim Your Face - the Civil society initiativefor a ban on biometric mass surveillance practices is trying to strictly regulate the use ofbiometric technologies in order to avoid undue interference with fundamentalrights. The nuances in how people, companies and governments are usingtechnology – and for what purposes and how this impacts our lives– get covered in this episode. The organisers of Start Unconditional BasicIncome (UBI) throughout the EU wantthe European Commission to make a proposal for universal basic incomethroughout the EU, to improve the welfare for European citizens inall Member States.

Hear the voices behind the European green wave

Featuring ‘StopFinning – Stop the Trade’, ‘Green Garden Roof Tops’ and ‘Grow scientificprogress: crops matter’ ECIs In the third chapterof CitizenCentral we hear from Nils Kluger, Almog Sadeand Martina Helmlinger - covering environmental topics on landand in the sea. The Stop Finning - Stopthe Trade citizens’ initiative aimsto end the trade with shark fins within the EU. The Green GardenRoof Tops initiative– launched by two siblings and a group of friends – wants to useexisting empty space on corporations’ rooftops to convert into greenareas. We also hear from a Grow scientific progress:crops matter initiative organiser.The initiative closed in the summer of 2021, yether reflections offer many tips for people wanting to work on anECI.

Power to the people - hear the voices who want to break down the borders in Europe

Featuring ‘Civil Servant Exchange Program’ and ‘Voters Without Borders’ ECIs In the second chapter of CitizenCentral we hear from Adam Mazoyer and Rosalie van den Brink as they discuss two European citizens’ initiatives focused on strengthening civic engagement in our communities. The Civil Servant Exchange Program (CSEP) aims to help civil servants learn from one another and better address transnational issues - from natural disasters to cybersecurity and beyond. The Voters Without Borders initiative makes a case for increasing the democratic rights of EU citizens who want to vote in national elections where they live.

Welcome to CitizenCentral

Tune in to the first chapter of CitizenCentral to listen to Paula Reyes and Helmut Burtscher as they discuss two European citizens’ initiatives with signature collection periods ending in late-September 2021. ‘Actions on Climate Emergency’ (closing 23 September 2021) and ‘Save bees and Farmers! Towards a bee-friendly agriculture for a healthy environment’ (closing 30 September 2021) are two of the many citizens’ initiatives related to climate change and biodiversity over the years.