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 have benefits for animals, people and planet.

Filippo Borsellino, organiser of ‘End the Slaughter Age’ initiative, focuses on transferring EU subsidies from livestock farming to cell- and plant-based alternatives. 
Elise Fleury is the representative of ‘Fur Free Europe’ initiative, which aims to ban fur farms and farmed fur products from the European market.

2.4: For animals, people & planet! Hear from people proposing new solutions to old practices

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.

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

EU citizens often ask for examples of the impact of European citizens’ initiatives, so in this episode we take a closer look at three initiatives that reached more than 1 million signatures and received a reply from the Commission. We hear from an organiser of each of the three initiatives, ‘Ban glyphosate’ [Ban glyphosate and protect people and the environment from toxic pesticides], ‘End the Cage Age’, and ‘Right2Water’ [Water and sanitation are a human right! Water is a public good, not a commodity!].  

On each initiative, we speak with European Commission officials who give more details on the actions taken in response to the successful initiatives.  

In 2023, the Commission replies to 4 more successful citizens’ initiatives [April, July and December].

3.2: What impact do European Citizens’ Initiatives have? Examples from successful initiatives

What is the European Citizens’ Initiative? And what causes do European citizens care deeply about, driving them to pitch their own policy ideas to the European Commission?  

CitizenCentral, a podcast series presented by the European Commission, puts a spotlight on European citizens’ initiatives. Organisers tell us why their initiative is important for European society and how they experience raising awareness at EU level. We also interview different topic experts and academics to further explore the issues put forward by these initiatives. Discover what the European Citizens’ Initiative is and how this tool makes it possible to have a greater say in policies that affect your life in the European Union. #EUTakeTheInitiative 

Support the ECIs featured: https://europa.eu/!qWCMKV 
Discover the European Citizens' Initiative: https://europa.eu/citizens-initiative/_en 
Episode show notes: https://europa.eu/citizens-initiative/citizencentral-podcast_en
Get support from the ECI Forum: http://europa.eu/citizens-initiative-forum/_en

EU, democracy, citizen rights, public policies, citizen engagement, democratic participation

The opinions expressed in the podcasts reflect solely the point of view of the speakers and can in no way be taken to reflect the position of the European Commission or of the European Union.
© European Commission, 2022

New tracks tagged #EUTakeTheInitiative