From April 1, 2012 European Citizens' Initiative has been launched.

From that day, citizens from across Europe may ask the Commission to act on issues they deem　important.

The　European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) was introduced with the Treaty of Lisbon, and allows that one million citizens from at least 7 EU State Members, may ask the Commission to submit legislative proposals in area of its competence. ECI rules were adopted on February 16, 2011. States, however, in order to successfully develop the process, asked for start this new democratic tool on April 1, 2012.

ECI refer only to policies areas where the EU has competence and that in those areas, the Comission has the power to submit a proposal for a legal act. They cannot request a review of the Treaties of the European Union.

ECI shall be provided in one of the official languages of the Union.