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The European Ombudsman

The European Ombudsman. The state of play of the ECI. The European Ombudsman. Start as new EO in October 2013 Times of economic crisis and political legitimacy People losing trust in their own governments and in the EU “My voice does not count in Brussels”

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The European Ombudsman

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  1. The European Ombudsman The state of play of the ECI

  2. The European Ombudsman • Start as new EO in October 2013 • Times of economic crisis and political legitimacy • People losing trust in their own governments and in the EU • “My voice does not count in Brussels” • EO to help re-establish trust in EU administration • Bridge gap between EU and civil society

  3. EO helps to establish trust in EU administration • EU institutions need to adhere to “gold standards” • Efficiency, transparency, ethical behaviour, accountability • New Treaty provisions for citizens’ involvement • ECI, dialogue with civil society, access to all EU documents • EO: strategic investigations • Start of ECI investigation in December 2013

  4. The EO’s role in ECIs • Redress mechanism for complaints about handling of ECIs • Failure or delay to reply • Lack of transparency • Challenge a decision not to register an ECI • Are the Commission's conclusions reasonable? • EO for legal follow-up (are the legal arguments for not taking action convincing?) • EP for political follow-up

  5. Why an investigation into the ECI? • ECI – key in empowering citizens to participate in EU decision-making • EO commitment to pay particular attention to the way in which this new citizens’ right is implemented • Encourage and support efforts to improve the ECI procedure • First step: invite feedback

  6. Feedback collected until end March EO invited ECI organisers, civil society organisations and other interested persons to submit feedback What can be done to raise awareness about ECIs? Information and guidance provided to ECI organisers?  Functionality and usefulness of the Commission's software for collecting signatures online? Concerns about treatment of personal data provided by citizens signing an ECI?  Experiences as regards the contacts with different national authorities in relation to ECIs?  Possible changes to the ECI Regulation?

  7. State of play of ECI investigation • Around 20 replies received • From ECI organisers, civil society organisations, citizens • Information gathering also includes studies, reports • Analysis of feedback has started • Online publication of contributions • EO will ask the Commission to respond

  8. Some initial ideas – at a glance Many procedures – too bureaucratic Harmonise personal data requirements across MS (currently 28 different signature forms) Many expats cannot sign ECIs Eliminate ID number requirements – privacy concerns Lower the age threshold to 16 Technical and other weaknesses of signature collection system Lengthen signature collection time to 18 months Provide legal advice and other support to ECIs Admissibility check – often too restrictive (40% drop out) Increase public awareness

  9. The way forward • ECIs – already stirred excellent debates • Two ECIs crossed the threshold • More than 5 million EU citizens signed up to more than 20 different initiatives • Momentum will grow for people’s participation • Work in progress • EO remains open for complaints and feedback

  10. www.ombudsman.europa.eu @EUOmbudsman

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