Introduction
CitizenCentral puts a spotlight on the people behind European citizens’ initiatives over the course of six episodes. In each episode, initiative organisers and supporters tell us why their initiative is important and how they experience raising awareness at EU level. Along the way, we learn more about the European Citizens’ Initiative process and gain tips from the point of view of organisers and experts.
Our host, journalist Méabh Mc Mahon, also interviews different topic experts and academics to explore the issues on the minds and in the hearts of Europeans. CitizenCentral is a fun way to discover what the European Citizens’ Initiative is and how this tool makes it possible to have a greater say in policies that affect your life.
New episodes of the CitizenCentral podcast are released in English during the autumn of 2021 – they are available on SoundCloud.
The opinions expressed in the podcasts reflect solely the point of view of the speakers and can in no way be taken to reflect the position of the European Commission or of the European Union.
Episode show notes
1: Welcome to CitizenCentral: featuring ‘Fridays for Future’ and ‘Save Bees and Farmers’ ECIs
Tune in to the first chapter of CitizenCentral to listen to Paula Reyes and Helmut Burtscher as they discuss two European citizens’ initiatives with signature collection periods ending in late-September 2021. ‘Actions on Climate Emergency’ (closing 23 September 2021) and ‘Save bees and Farmers! Towards a bee-friendly agriculture for a healthy environment’ (closing 30 September 2021) are two of the many citizens’ initiatives related to climate change and biodiversity over the years.
Paula Mariel Reyes Carrasco, Activist at Fridays For Future – supporting the Actions on Climate Emergency European citizens’ initiative.
- https://eci.fridaysforfuture.org/
- https://www.instagram.com/eciforfuture/
Helmut Burtscher, Global2000 - Friends of the Earth-Austria, Save bees and Farmers! Towards a bee-friendly agriculture for a healthy environment European citizens’ initiative organiser.
Journalist Méabh Mc Mahon speaks with one of the organisers of the first European citizens’ initiative focused on ending international roaming charges – which many of us enjoy the benefits of today. Also in this episode: the man who started ‘Grandparents for Future’ in solidarity with the youth protesting for climate action, an organic farmer from Greece and expert inputs on sustainable policy and the importance of pollinating insects for each and every one of us.
A special thanks to our guest/expert speakers: Professor Alberto Alemanno, Jean Monnet Professor in EU Law at HEC Paris | Annika Hedberg, European Policy Center | Freidrich Zywitza, Grandparents for Future | Dara Stanley, University College Dublin | Sheila Darmos, Sociologist, Co-Founder, and Author at SoutherLights.org