How to get involved in the EU Citizens’ Engagement Platform
While it might seem difficult to keep up with political decisions at EU level, it has never been easier to get involved and have your say in shaping future decisions that impact the lives of European citizens.
The European Union (EU) encourages citizens from all 27 EU countries to discuss issues that matter to them. For example, what priorities should guide the EU’s long-term budget? How can we better prepare for future crises? How can we make our homes energy efficient? How can we strengthen our democracy?
Citizens' ideas help shape future EU policies. For example, anyone can join open online debates - in any of the EU's 24 official languages. In addition, the European Commission organises Citizens' Panels where 150 European citizens are invited to discuss, face-to-face, a specific policy theme.
Mikayla Moore from Mullaghmast, Kildare recently participated in the European Citizens’ Panel, gaining a deep understanding of how democracy works in Europe and also contributing to recommendations on how to strengthen democracy.
The European Commission has opened up spaces for everyday participation in democracy through initiatives like the European Citizens' Panels, which bring together ordinary people from all 27 EU Member States, including Ireland, to discuss issues that matter to them.
Mikayla got the opportunity after she answered the door to an EU commission representative and agreed to take part in the Panel.
This was an experience that ignited an interest in European democracy which Mikayla is now very much invested in.
“We don't really see anything about European politics. But in my opinion, I think we should be seeing a lot more of European politics here in Ireland. And I think European citizens as a whole should have more of a right to vote in European politics than we do,” she said.
Discussions on the workings of democracy in Europe was what particularly interested Mikayla during her involvement so far with the Panel.
The Kildare woman found a shared experience with her European counterparts, which she wasn’t expecting.
“Being quite honest with you, what surprised me the most was the fact that we're all in the same boat. Okay. There's not one, like I spoke to many, many different nationalities when I was over there.
“So everybody seems to be struggling. Everybody seems to be kind of hitting hard times and being affected by the cost of living and trying to make ends meet, everybody is suffering that,” Mikayla said
The current Citizens' Panel on Democratic Resilience is examining how democracies can be made stronger and more resilient. Its 150 participants - selected through a recruitment process designed to reflect the diversity of people living across the European Union - are using their own perspectives to identify challenges, exchange ideas and develop recommendations on the issue for the European Commission.
Democratic resilience is not simply a question for governments or EU institutions, according to the European Commission. It also concerns everyday experiences such as how people find and assess information, take part in public debate, feel heard by public bodies and have opportunities to shape decisions that affect their lives.
The Panel has been asked to consider questions including how people can recognise misleading content online, what helps them feel confident enough to speak and disagree, and how democratic participation can be made more accessible in local neighbourhoods and communities.
Other questions include how schools, workplaces and local organisations can help people develop the skills to engage in public debate, and what can be done to ensure that women, younger people and other groups that are often under-represented have a meaningful voice in decision-making.
The European Citizens’ Panel on Democratic Resilience takes place over three weekends between September and November 2026, when the final session will take place.
If you would like to get involved, you can join an online debate which invites you to share your views, experiences and ideas on how to strengthen democratic resilience across Europe.
Participants can contribute their perspectives on key aspects of democratic life, such as access to reliable information, media literacy, awareness of citizens’ rights, participation in decision-making, and the skills needed to engage in democracy in a digital world.
This debate follows up on the European Democracy Shield (EDS). The EDS is a European Union initiative proposed by the European Commission and led by Commissioner Michael McGrath to protect democratic systems against foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI), disinformation, and hybrid threats.
It will feed into ongoing and future EU initiatives aimed at strengthening democracy and will inform future participatory processes, including a European Citizens’ Panel on Democratic Resilience.
However, if you want to become more involved you can take part in the Citizens’ Engagement Platform.
To do this, you can register or sign in on the platform so you don't miss any news of the participatory process. If you publish your proposal as a registered user, you will be able to follow other participants and interact with them, comment and participate in the exchange of opinions of each proposal. You can use your name or a pseudonym and enjoy all the benefits of registering on the platform.
You can also submit your ideas on how to protect and enhance democratic resilience in the EU and see what other Europeans are suggesting. Participants can contribute in any of the EU's 24 official languages.
For further information on the European Commission, the European Citizens’ Engagement newsletter brings you the latest news and developments from the European Commission’s Citizen Engagement initiatives.
It provides updates on the new European Citizens’ Panels: discussions, outcomes, and impact.
It will also help you discover how recommendations from the European Citizens’ Panels and Citizens’ Engagement Platform are shaping EU policymaking.
Those who sign up will receive insights into the Citizens’ Engagement Platform debates and make your voice heard.
It will also help you stay on top of news from the European Commission, expert opinions, and event announcements.
You can subscribe to the newsletter to take action through the Citizens` Engagement Platform and to stay engaged with the European Citizens' Panels' impact on the EU.
You can sign up to the newsletter here