• The "Protecting EU Rural Heritage, Food Security and Supply" initiative calls for a commitment from the European Union to promote regional heritage.
• The request aims to promote rural employment and calls for specific protection for the traditional crafts sector.

The European Commission registers a citizens' initiative in favor of rural heritage

The artistic and cultural legacy of a territory largely defines a people's identity. It could be said that, in fact, "we are heritage."

The European Commission (EC) has decided to register the European Citizens' Initiative "Protecting rural heritage, food security and EU supplies." which seeks:

1. A commitment by the European Union (EU) to promoting regional heritage .
2. Promoting rural employment through essential activities for rural communities, such as traditional crafts .
3. The organizers also call for the promotion of rural heritage and recognition of food security and supply to be included in the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development .

Following the legal approval of this initiative by the EC, the organizers of the proposal have six months to collect signatures . If a European Citizens' Initiative receives, within one year, one million statements of support from at least seven Member States, the Commission will be required to act.

European Citizens' Initiatives (ECI)

The Lisbon Treaty introduced the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) as a tool for citizens to define the political agenda. It was officially launched in April 2012, marking its 10th anniversary.

When a European Citizens' Initiative is approved by the European Commission, it allows one million citizens from at least seven EU Member States to ask the European Commission to submit legislative proposals in areas where it has the power to do so.

What does an ICE need to be processed?

1) That the proposal does not fall outside the scope of the Commission's powers to submit a proposal for a legal act.

2) That is not clearly abusive, frivolous or reckless.

3) That it is not manifestly contrary to the values of the Union.

Since the launch of the ECI, the Commission has received 119 applications to launch a European Citizens' Initiative, 93 of which have been deemed legally admissible and therefore eligible for registration.

For more information on ICE registration, seehere .