A team from the Galileo Galilei High School in Legnano wins the European Commission's ImagineEU competition!

A team from the Galileo Galilei High School in Legnano wins the European Commission's ImagineEU competition!

The European Commission has awarded the winners of the 'ImagineEU' competition for secondary schools. Three teams from France, Italy and Romania were invited to visit Brussels and awarded at a ceremony at the Commission's headquarters.

The ImagineEU video competition encouraged young Europeans to put into practice what it takes to be an active EU citizen. Participants were invited to think of concrete ideas that could benefit citizens across the EU, reflecting the concept of the European Citizens' Initiative. The competition attracted a great deal of interest from students across the EU: in total, more than 400 videos were submitted, made by students (from the last two years of secondary school) from all over the EU.

One of the three winning teams is made up of 6 students from the Galileo Galilei High School in Legnano. In their video, they proposed the creation of a European Central Energy Bank (E.C.E.B) to supply EU countries, in order to diversify energy sources, ensure a steady flow and reduce the impact of crises. According to the winning team in Italy: "it is a unique and valuable training experience in full accordance with the international dimension of the PTOF of the Institute, which is increasingly enriched with new actions, permeating the different curricular paths of our High School, including that of civic education, as in this case" – said the Headmistress, highlighting that – "the ceremony is only a part of the prize up for grabs, consisting of a three-day study trip to the heart of the European quarter in Brussels, where our young people will be able to get to know the European institutions from the inside, meeting their representatives and visiting the places where the policies of the European Union are developed and the historical and cultural values of our Europe are preserved".

The three winning videos were selected by a jury, after an initial public voting phase that determined the 50 best videos. The three teams, accompanied by their teachers, take part in a three-day study trip to Brussels, where they have the opportunity to learn more about how the EU works and the role of the different EU institutions.

The European Commission's Vice-President for Values and Transparency, Věra Jourová, said: "I was really impressed by your creativity and enthusiasm for the European project. With committed citizens like you, 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 influence EU policy-making. We have invited you to put yourselves in the shoes of EU policymakers and come up with ideas that you think will benefit the whole Union. Our invitation was met with great interest by schools across the EU, even beyond our expectations. In fact, we received more than 400 contributions, with a wide choice of proposals for action at European level. Many of these ideas are a reaction to the challenges that young people, and indeed all of us, face on a daily basis. From the protection of the environment to the integration of migrants, from the regulation of artificial intelligence to the adaptation of education systems to these new challenges. I would like to thank your teachers who have supported you in participating in this competition and encouraged you to think big."

But what is the European Citizens' Initiative?

The European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) is the first tool that allows citizens from all EU countries to collaborate and promote legislative change at European level on issues that are important to them.

Introduced by the Lisbon Treaty, the ECI has been operational for twelve years. The ECI seeks to engage EU citizens across borders on issues of common interest, fostering a sense of unity and partnership in civil society and transnational democracy.

Covering the policy areas of the European Commission's competence, such as the environment, agriculture, transport, consumer protection and social rights, the ECI allows every EU citizen to sign and support ongoing popular initiatives.

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

A total of 10 initiatives received a response from the European Commission.

European Citizens' Initiatives have an impact on EU legislation. While a number of actions are being prepared in response to recent initiatives, a concrete example of European legislation already being applied in the EU is the revision of the Drinking Water Directive, proposed in response to the success of the ECI Right2Water initiative. This directive requires Member States, among other things, to improve access to water and ensure access for vulnerable and marginalised groups. Finally, in 2024, the Commission adopted new minimum hygiene standards for materials and products that come into contact with drinking water.

ICE in Italy

More than 950 citizen organizers have created 110 ECIs, with a substantial contribution from Italy, which boasts 110 organizers. The collective efforts have produced an impressive result: more than 18 million signatures in support of these initiatives across the European Union. Italy contributed significantly to this figure, collecting more than 2 million signatures, underlining the commitment of Italian citizens to shape the EU agenda through democratic participation.

Toolkit for Schools

In 2023, the European Commission launched the Toolkit for Schools.

The Interactive Toolkit for Schools is designed to equip high school students with the knowledge and skills that will enable them to become more active and engaged EU citizens.

It consists of four thematic units, each with a different focus, ranging from more general information on the European Union to specific information and activities related to the European Citizens' Initiative. It includes interactive group work and in the form of a project.

The ECI Teaching Toolkit is available in all official EU languages.

Find out more about ECI

Dissemination material available in all EU languages

The European Citizens' Initiative step by step

The European Citizens' Initiative: Your rights as an EU citizen