MYTH 1

SHEDDING LIGHT
If an initiative does not on the European Citizens’ Initiative MYTH 6
result in EU legislation,
Nobody knows
there is no point MYTH 2
about the tool
Proposed initiatives have
anyway
a very high refusal rate at MYTH 3 MYTH 4
registration level The European Commission The follow-up on
doesn’t care about successful initiatives is MYTH 5

initiatives disappointing Citizens find the tool

difficult to use

REALITY 4

REALITY 1 The Right 2 Water initiative

An initiative allows you to build led to a revision of the directive on
drinking water, obliging Member
networks and raise the
States to improve access to water
awareness of both citizens and REALITY 2

An initiative is refused only and ensure access for vulnerable and

policy-makers. It can also result marginalised groups.
in other meaningful if it manifestly
follow-up actions. falls outside the REALITY 6

Commission’s powers REALITY 3 More than 9 million citizens

or is contrary to EU values. More When an initiative has gathered in support of initiatives is already a
REALITY 5
than 90% of proposed initiatives the support of 1 million citizens, the significant achievement.
Following a proposal from the Commission,
have been registered since 2015! Commission meets with the European Parliament and the Council
Everybody has a role to play -
so spread the word!
the organisers and adopts have adopted new rules that will make
a formal response, after a public the tool easier to use.
debate is held in the EU
#EUTakeTheInitiative Parliament.
For more information on the European Citizens’ Initiative,
© European Union, [2019] Reuse is authorised provided the source is acknowledged.
including the list of initiatives currently open for support, go to: The reuse policy of European Commission documents is regulated by Decision 2011/833/EU (OJ L 330, 14.12.2011, p. 39).
europa.eu/citizens-initiative ISBN 978-92-76-12231-9 – doi:10.2792/25859 – KA-04-19-659-EN-N