From 1 April 2012, European citizens enjoy a new right which gives them a stronger voice: the European citizens' initiative (ECI). 

ECI gives citizens the right to directly participate in setting the legislative agenda of the EU. Once a policy proposal is supported by the verified signatures of one million EU citizens, the European Commission is obliged to consider that proposal.

In the Republic of Lithuania, the competent European Union citizens' initiative coordinating authority designated by law are the Central Electoral Commission (CEC). From 31 March 2012 the CEC are responsible for the verification and certification of statements of support.

1. The European Citizens' Initiative web page and Guide.

2. European Union legislative framework for the European citizens' initiative:

• Regulation (EU) No 2019/788 (effect from 1 January 2020);  No 211/2011 (effect until 1 January 2020);
• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1799

3. The Lithuanian legislation governing the European citizens' initiative:

• Republic of Lithuania Law on the Central Electoral Commission
• Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Lithuania entered into force on 2017-01-01

4.    Documents of the Central Electoral Commission of the Republic of Lithuania, which regulate the European Citizens' Initiative, can be found here:

• Description of issuing of statements of support to the organisers of the European Union citizens' initiative registered by the European Commission (material in Lithuanian) effect from 1 January 2020
• Description of issuing of statements of support to the organisers of the European Union citizens' initiative registered by the European Commission (effect until 1 January 2020);
• Description of verification of statements of support submitted by the organisers of the registered European Union citizens' initiative to the Central Electoral Commission (effect until 1 January 2020);
• Description of certification of an information system for collection of statements of support (effect until 1 January 2020);

5. The CEC registered initiatives

6. The European Citizens' Initiative Registration Form

Competent national authorities that certify statements of support

Competent national authorities that certify online collection systems