European Citizenship & Values

Why is this topic a priority for the EU?

The EU recognises that Europeans need a stronger role in decision-making processes and a more active role in setting political priorities on our common union values. As a result, EU institutions are pushing for more citizen and civil society involvement in EU-funded projects and programmes. 

This objective is reflected in the priorities of the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the EU’s long term budget for 2021-2027. Alongside the twin Green and Digital transitions, the MFF emphasises active citizenship, democratic participation, and shared European values. Active citizenship and participation in democratic life is included as a top priority across many of the programmes that are funded by the MFF, including the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) and Erasmus+ programmes. 

In addition to encouraging civic engagement through its funding programmes, the European Commission also provides opportunities for civil society to make their voices heard through public consultation tools like the European Citizens Initiatives and the Conference on the Future of Europe.

Relevant EU Policies and Objectives

Citizenship, Equality, Rights & Values (CERV) Programme

With a budget of €1.55 billion for 2021 – 2027, CERV is the biggest-ever EU funding programme for promoting and protecting fundamental rights, rule of law and democracy inside the EU. The four strands of CERV are:

  • Union values
  • Equality, rights and gender equality
  • Citizens’ engagement and participation
  • Gender-based violence and violence against children.

Key Points:

  • CERV replaces both Europe for Citizens and the Rights, Equality, and Citizenship programme
  • The programme aims to nurture a strong and empowered civil society that fosters people's democratic, civic and social participation and inclusiveness
  • CERV has synergies with other funding programmes promoting EU values including Erasmus+, Creative Europe, and Horizon Europe

How will it impact Irish civil society organisations?

CERV provides opportunities for civil society organisations to access funding to engage in activities which address the programme’s objectives. Civil society organisations are able to access these funding streams through various calls for proposals throughout the 2021-2027 EU budget period.  


European Citizens Initiative (ECI)

The European Citizens' Initiative is a participatory democracy instrument that gives Europeans the opportunity to have a greater say in EU policies that affect their lives. Through European Citizens’ Initiatives, citizens can rally around issues together and call on the European Commission to propose new laws and/or initiate reforms.

Key Points:

  • To launch an initiative, it takes 7 EU citizens, living in at least 7 different Member States
  • Once an Initiative gathers 1 million signatures, the European Commission decides on what follow up action to take
  • Initiatives can be launched in any field where the Commission has power to propose legislation, such as consumer protection, energy, agriculture or transport, etc.

How will it impact Irish civil society organisations?

Through the European Citizens’ Initiative, civil society organisations can connect with like-minded organisations across Europe to advance causes they believe in. ECIs can empower civil society to amplify the voices of the communities they support and affect real change through shaping and influencing EU policy. 

 

Conference on the Future of Europe

The Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFoE) was a one-year EU-wide consultation (2021-2022) to gather citizens’ views on the EU's future challenges and priorities. Led by a Joint Presidency of representatives from the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission, the Conference took place virtually on its multilingual digital platform and through European Citizens’ Panels and Plenaries. 

Key Points:

  • Citizens and organisations could share ideas via a multilingual digital platform.
  • Topics included health, climate, migration, and Europe’s role in the world.
  • Final recommendations were presented in 2022 to the EU's political leadership

How will it impact Irish civil society organisations?

Through participation in initiatives like the Conference on the Future of Europe, civil society organisations could make their voices and the voices of their beneficiaries heard at EU level and tocontribute directly to shaping EU priorities.

Useful Links

New Cohesion Policy

The European Pillar of Social Rights in 20 principles

Information on EU citizenship


Have Your Voice Heard

Decisions that are made at the EU level can have a big impact on our daily lives. At The Wheel we believe that citizens’ active participation in society is vital so they can play a part in influencing the decisions that affect them.

Here’s how you can connect with the EU:

Join Together.eu

Together.eu is an online community of pan-European active citizens interested in learning from each other and finding common ground on EU issues. Created by the European Parliament during the 2019 European elections, together.eu encourages everybody to participate in democracy through events and activities.  

Together.eu connects people both locally and across Europe to meet, share knowledge, and learn new skills. The community has brought together more than 350,000 people who actively advocate the importance of voting, democracy and civic engagement. Today, together.eu stands as a vibrant, interconnected and growing community dedicated to advancing European democracy.

Check out the latest events organised by the European Parliament and the together.eu community, happening online and across Europe, by joining together.eu.

Vote in European elections and get to know your MEPs

Following the European elections in June 2024, 14 MEPs representing Ireland's three constituencies, Dublin, South and Midlands-North-West, took their seats in the European Parliament on 16 July 2024 for Parliament's 10th term. 

Due to demographic changes, Ireland gained one additional MEP, bringing the number of MEPs elected in 2024 to 14. The additional seat was allocated to the Midlands-North-West constituency. Going forward, the constituencies of Ireland South and Midlands-North-West will have five seats each, and the Dublin constituency will have four seats.

Who are your MEPs and how can you contact them? We have gathered the information for you!

Engage in EU-funded projects

Through involvement in EU-funded projects, you’ll deliver on current EU policy and programme goals while helping to shape future policy.

Learn more about the various EU funding programmes and the projects they support.

This page was brought to you by the project EU Engage which is funded by the European Union. The contents of these publications are the sole responsibility of The Wheel and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Union.

View the latest funding from the EU