One Million Votes for Europe

Fellow citizen,

Welcome to 'One Million!'

The objective of this website is to promote active European citizenship, by providing an independent platform for citizens, to share their ideas with the rest of Europe. This website is the platform for you (citizen of Europe) to start up debates, launch new proposals to strengthen Europe and speak out on issues Europeans want the European Union to focus on.

This websites intends to represent an independent platform, a channel, to propose a policy idea, find supporters throughout Europe and raise one million citizens' votes, in order to be able to ask the Commission to present a proposal in any of the EU's areas of responsibility.

We of one million votes for Europe believe in the possibility to narrow the gap between citizens and European politics. Let's make sure we use the power of initiative and create momentum to influence real decision making.

Unico van Kooten Chairman
Roeland Scholtalbers General Coordinator

Advisory Board
The main responsibility of the Advisory Board is to assess the proposals by citizens before they are up for the one million votes campaign, then advise the initiator on the next steps.

Main Tasks
Firstly, the proposal should be supported by at least 150 supporters out of 15 member states. The Board can verify the real support for the proposal. Secondly, the Board will focus on assuring the proposal isn't in conflict with the laws of the European Union. Thirdly, the proposal must be new and the Board will ensure that the proposal does not already exist in European law or – policy.

The Board can consult key stakeholders from NGO’s, science bodies, European Parliament, European Commission and Member States to assess the implications of launched proposals. Exchange of ideas with the above listed is an important aspect of a policy campaign and will contribute to the success of the initiative. In principal, a proposal will be launched for the campaign if it is in compliance with the following criteria:
1. Proposal is not in conflict with European law,
2. Proposal does not exist in any form or way in established European policies.

The Board is entitled to add a voting advice to the proposal or to suggest the initiator to strengthen the proposal.

Launch campaign
On the basis of the assessment the Board will give its advice on the proposal and the proposal will be launched for one million votes. Then the Board assists the initiators of accepted policy proposals in launching a pan-European campaign to obtain the vital one million votes. In order to do so it offers both tools and advice to make the campaign a success.

Composition
The Board is made up of a maximum of 12 people. As one million is an open and independent platform it offers European Parliamentary groups – larger than 50 members - maximum one seat. Furthermore, citizens from all parts of society are welcome to participate in de Board.

If you are interested in joining the Advisory Board please contact us here.

Organisational Committee
The Organisational Committee is responsible for all organisation matters in support of One Million.

The members have the following duties:
- Update and follow developments on onemillionvotes.eu
- Public relations
- Develop sponsorship and donation campaigns
- Prepare meetings for the Advisory Board (Quarterly)
- Assist the Advisory Board in assessment of proposals and advise in campaign strategies
- Select Ambassadors and candidates for the Advisory Board
- Develop internal rules of procedure

Composition
The Committee is composed of a maximum of 25 people. As One Million is an open and independent platform, it offers European Parliamentary groups – larger than 50 members - at least one seat in the Committee. Furthermore, citizens from all parts of society are welcome to participate in the Committee.

If you are interested in joining the Organisational Committee please contact us here.

Ambassadors
Primarily, Ambassadors are responsible for bringing the citizens’ platform to the attention of people across Europe.

The Ambassadors are preferably members of the European Parliament or high level persons with a European profile. They link their website to one million and inform people of their chance to participate in strengthening Europe.

The Ambassadors from the European Parliament have the first right to advocate publicly a proposal by a citizens which is up for one million votes. The Advisory Board will inform the Parliamentary Ambassadors on the proposals up for vote and provide them the opportunity to be the voice on the issue.

Award
Every year – in October - the Ambassadors pick one citizens’ proposal as best idea to strengthen Europe. The citizen will be honoured in a special way.

Compostition
As one million is an open and independent platform it offers European Parliamentary groups – larger than 50 members - at least one Ambassadors seat. Groups larger than 80 seats can obtain a maximum of 3 Ambassadors seats. Groups smaller than 50 members can obtain a seat through special consent by the Advisory Board.

If you are interested in becoming an Ambassador please contact us here.