Dear Readers,
Just as summer is about to kick off, May 2026 has proven to be an important milestone for the ECIT Foundation. This month, we officially submitted our European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI), “All On Board,” to the European Commission for formal registration. This brings our core vision of learning, experiencing, and recognizing citizenship closer than ever to reality.
At the same time, we have finalized our formal complaint letter targeting the persistent issue of voter disenfranchisement across the Union. This month also provided an opportunity to take part in the debates on European citizenship and the democracy that stems from it. In this edition, we invite you to our upcoming June round table, recap our panel debates, and map out what’s next for our movement.
Milestone: “All On Board” ECI Submitted for Registration
We are thrilled to announce that on Tuesday, 26 May 2026, we officially submitted our proposed ECI, “All On Board – For Your Right to EU Citizenship Without Borders,” to the European Commission for review.
We want to thank our Citizens’ Committee and everyone across our partner network whose dedication made this milestone possible. A special thanks goes out to the Lifelong Learning Platform, who has been coordinating our ECI Stakeholder board and provided valuable input to ensure that the ECI includes perspectives on vocational education. Currently, EU mobility programmes overwhelmingly attract people who are already mobile, urban, and engaged, while others miss out on the truly amazing opportunities that EU citizenship holds, so it is especially important to us to reach the people who currently feel entirely left out of the European project.
What’s next? The Commission has two months to verify that the proposal falls within its legal competences and grant official registration. Once this step is complete, we will be gearing up for our signature collection campaign and a year filled with activities to close the equality gap across the Union through civic education, universal mobility, and the full cross-border recognition of qualifications.
Coming Up: June 10 Round Table – Removing the Stain of Disenfranchisement On European Democracy
While MEPs frequently champion the democratic process, true universal suffrage across the EU has still not been achieved. ECIT’s latest figures reveal an alarming reality: up to 10 million mobile EU citizens risk being unable to vote in the next European elections in 2029. This expanding “democratic void” directly threatens the integrity of our elections and must be addressed promptly.
There is a pathway to solve this issue: The EU and the eight Member States currently practicing disenfranchisement can easily rely on recent European Court of Justice (ECJ) judgments, which have reinforced European citizenship as a fundamental, equal status for participating in democratic life. Whether you are an activist, a policymaker, or a disenfranchised citizen who wants to support this initiative, you are warmly invited to our upcoming informal round table:
When: Wednesday, 10 June 2026 | 17:00 – 19:00 CEST
Where: SECO, 26 Rue de la Loi, Brussels & Online
Register for the Round Table HERE
We expect over fifty participants, including individuals, activists, and decision-makers. We also want to express our deep gratitude to the law firm Latham & Watkins for their extensive, invaluable pro-bono legal support in preparing our case.
Our formal Complaint Letter to the European Commission is now open for backing. Help us turn individual exclusion into collective legal pressure:
Sign the Formal Complaint Letter HERE
We very much look forward to meeting you on 10 June and benefitting from your experience and expertise!
Structural Inclusion: The ENoP “Strengthening Democracy” Panel
On 13 May, ECIT attended the “Strengthening Democracy” panel hosted by Volt Europa, Eyes on Europe, and the European Network of Political Foundations. The panel brought together speakers like Anna Strolenberg (MEP, Volt Europa), François Balate (FEPS Europa), Sara Boanini (Neo Institute Europa), and Sarah Weiss (heinrich-Böll Stifung), who discussed democracy, youth participation and polarising political dynamics across Europe.
The debate focused on a fundamental systemic question: who truly gets to take part in European democracy? Drawing on her direct experience with vote counting and signature collection in Brussels, ECIT Co-Founder Suzana Carp contributed through an intervention on how intra-EU mobility still inflicts a political penalty, particularly on mobile workers and migrants. Moving to another country should never mean losing your voice.
This structural flaw lies at the heart of our “All On Board” proposal. True democratic health doesn’t end at the ballot box; it depends on whether people can study, work, move, and participate on an equal footing, free from national barriers.
Beyond the Ballot Box: Breaking the Brussels Echo Chamber
On 27 May, ECIT Board Member Jana Sproul moderated the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) Europe Pretzels & Politics event, titled “Rethinking Democracy Beyond the Ballot Box.” Alongside speakers Gaëtane Ricard-Nihoul (Head of Unit, Public Opinion & Citizens Engagement, DG COMM) and Sebastian Berchesan (Executive Director, Stand up for Europe), the discussion targeted the widening disconnect between EU decision-making and everyday citizens.
During the debate, Jana highlighted a core challenge: while high-level EU initiatives and mobility schemes are incredible in theory, they overwhelmingly benefit an elite demographic: citizens who are already highly mobile, urban, and civically engaged.
To bridge this gap and break out of the Brussels echo chamber, the EU must invest in intentional, widespread EU Citizenship Education. By establishing Youth Task Forces across Member States, our upcoming ECI campaign is committed to ensuring that democratic tools become accessible to Europeans from all ways of life.
Democracy in Action: Contribute to the EU Citizens Omnibus Initiative
On 22 May, the European Commission launched a call for evidence on the forthcoming Citizens Omnibus Initiative. The initiative aims to reduce administrative burdens in EU legislation and policies affecting people legally residing in the European Union, with a particular focus on cross-border situations.
Through targeted amendments to existing legislation, the Commission seeks to simplify procedures, remove legal and administrative barriers, and improve access to the benefits of the Single Market for mobile citizens and residents across the EU.
The call for evidence covers a broad range of policy areas, making it an important opportunity for citizens, civil society organisations, and stakeholders to contribute their experiences and recommendations. We strongly encourage you to participate and make your voice heard.
European citizens’ rights concern everyone living in the EU. Measures that shape mobility, residence, and access to rights across borders should be subject to broad public discussion and democratic participation.
The deadline for submitting comments is 19 June 2026.
You can contribute to the consultation HERE
Support Our Work
ECIT continues to operate with a small and dedicated team, turning ideas into tangible policy initiatives and civic action across Europe.
As we approach the launch of “All On Board”, we would be grateful for your support. Your donation (no matter the size) not only helps us to keep the lights on, but to create a Network of Youth Task Forces that will create momentum for democratic engagement across the European Union over the next year.
You can support us via PayPal.
Are you a funding organisation looking to support research and/or activities on rights for mobile EU citizens and EU citizenship education?
Our team is currently finalising proposals for projects such as an EU Disenfranchisement Report, a National Disenfranchisement Report, targeted social
media campaigns, and trainings. If that sounds like a good t for you, please reach out to our team at info@ecit-foundation.eu and we would be happy to explore opportunities that fit your priorities.
Thank you once again for your invaluable support!
Yours sincerely,
The ECIT Team