Setting up citizens' initiatives

Source: BUS Rheinland-Pfalz

A citizens' initiative is a community founded on the basis of a specific occasion. Its aim is to influence public opinion and thus exert political pressure to implement or prevent a particular public measure (e.g. the construction of a bypass).

Participation in a citizens' initiative is one of several ways of participating in citizen participation. Usually, citizens' initiatives are formed at the municipal level. Their classic fields of activity can be thematically divided into the following areas:

Dwell
Environment and
Culture (including schools and kindergartens)
Traffic

can be divided. The demands of the citizens' initiatives are addressed to the municipal councils, district councils or local governments.

To set up a citizens' initiative, organize a founding meeting and discuss your concerns with other stakeholders.

Write a founding protocol with the goals and tasks of the citizens' initiative and communicate this to local media to make the citizens' initiative known.

Note: A citizens' initiative does not require a specific legal form and therefore does not have to be officially registered. In order to gain legal capacity, it is advisable to register the citizens' initiative in the register of associations.

To set up a citizens' initiative, organize a founding meeting and discuss your concerns with other stakeholders.

Write a founding protocol with the goals and tasks of the citizens' initiative and communicate this to local media to make the citizens' initiative known.

Hint: A citizens' initiative does not require a specific legal form and therefore does not have to be officially registered. In order to gain legal capacity, it is advisable to register the citizens' initiative in the register of associations.

Setting up citizens' initiatives

Process flow

Who should I contact?

What else should I know?

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