A team from a high school in Bucharest wins the ImagineEU competition, organized by the European Commission

The European Commission awarded the prizes to the winners of the “ImagineEU” contest for secondary schools. Three teams from France, Italy and Romania were honored in a ceremony held at the headquarters of the European Commission.

The ImagineEU video competition called on young Europeans to practice what it means to be an active EU citizen. Participants were invited to think of concrete ideas that could benefit citizens across the EU, reflecting the essence of the European Citizens’ Initiative. The competition attracted a lot of interest from students across the EU: in total, over 400 videos were entered, featuring students (from the last two years of secondary education) from across the EU.

One of the three winning teams is made up of 7 students from the Bucharest International Theoretical High School of Informatics and proposes the “rEUniON Debate Club Platform” – a structured environment for informed discussions about the European Union, promoting a deeper understanding of policies, challenges and its impact.

According to the winning team from Romania, “the idea of the ImagineEU contest attracted us from the first moment! Our “ICHB welcomes EPAS” team has always been interested in debates, considering that “words are really our best weapon”. Our concept and winning video, the rEUniON Debate Club Platform, is more than just an idea. It is a belief that must be turned into reality. We know we can do this with the support of the European Union. We want to congratulate all the participating teams for their great effort throughout the first and second stages of this European competition and invite them to join the rEUniON Platform as soon as it is launched. We are proud to be Europeans and we know that, without a doubt, international communication among all European students is the best way forward, towards a balanced, secure and united European Union.”

The three winning videos were selected by a panel of judges, following an initial round of public voting to determine the top 50 videos.

The three teams, accompanied by their teachers, take part in a three-day study trip to Brussels, where they have the chance to learn more about the functioning of the EU and the role of the different EU institutions.

Vice-President of the European Commission for Values and Transparency, Věra Jourovásaid:

“I was very impressed by the students’ creativity and enthusiasm for the European project. With such involved citizens, I am convinced that the European Union will be in good hands in the future.

The “ImagineEU” competition is inspired by the European Citizens’ Initiative – a unique tool that allows EU citizens to participate in the development of European policies.

We invited the teenagers to put themselves in the shoes of those responsible for developing EU policies and propose beneficial ideas for the entire community space. The invitation was met with a lot of interest from EU schools, beyond our expectations. Thus, we received over 400 contributions, with a wide range of ideas for action at EU level. Many of the ideas are a reaction to the challenges that young people, and indeed all of us, face every day. From protecting the environment, integrating immigrants, regulating artificial intelligence, to adapting educational systems to current global issues. I want to thank the teachers of these students who supported them to participate in this competition and encouraged them to think big.”

But what is the European citizens’ initiative?

The European Citizens’ Initiative is the first tool that allows citizens from all EU countries to collaborate and support legislative changes at European level on issues they consider important.

Introduced by the Treaty of Lisbon, ICE has been operational for 12 years. ICE seeks to engage EU citizens across the EU in matters of common interest, fostering a sense of unity and partnership in transnational civil society and democracy.

Addressing policy areas under the competence of the European Commission, such as the environment, agriculture, transport, consumer protection and social rights, ICE offers the opportunity for every EU citizen to sign up and support ongoing citizens’ initiatives.

Since 2012, 110 initiatives have been registered, of which 11 are currently collecting signatures and another 5 will start collecting signatures soon.

In total, 10 initiatives received a response from the European Commission.

European citizens’ initiatives have an impact on EU legislation. Although more actions are in the pipeline in response to recent initiatives, a concrete example of EU legislation already being applied in the EU is the revised Drinking Water Directive proposed in response to the successful Right2Water ICE. This directive requires Member States to, among other things, improve access to water and guarantee access for vulnerable and marginalized groups.

Finally, in 2024, the Commission adopted new minimum hygiene standards for materials and products that come into contact with drinking water.

ICE in Romania

Over 950 citizen organizers initiated 110 ICEs, with a substantial contribution from Romania, which boasts 48 Romanian organizers. The collective efforts generated an impressive result of over 18 million signatures in support of these initiatives across the European Union. Remarkably, Romania contributed significantly to this figure by collecting over half a million signatures, underlining the commitment of Romanian citizens to shape the EU agenda through democratic participation.

EU Democracy in Action School Toolkit

In 2023, the European Commission launched “EU Democracy in Action – Have your say with the European Citizens’ Initiative” – toolkit for schools.

The interactive toolkit for schools is designed to equip secondary school students with the knowledge and skills to become more active and engaged EU citizens.

The set consists of four thematic units, each dealing with a different topic and covering from more general information about the European Union to specific information and activities related to the European citizens’ initiative. It involves interactive group activities and making projects.

The ECI toolkit is available in all official EU languages.