Unlock Your EU Political Rights with ECAS' Free Online Course

Are you an EU citizen eager to fully understand and exercise your political rights? ECAS (European Citizen Action Service) offers a free, expertly designed online course tailored to empower EU mobile citizens to actively participate in elections, both at the local (municipal) and European Parliament levels. This course not only covers the legal rights to vote and stand as a candidate, but it also offers actionable insights for local authorities and policymakers on fostering higher voter engagement and participation.

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Why You Should Take This Course

EU citizenship comes with significant political rights, allowing mobile citizens to vote and stand in elections in the Member State where they reside, under the same conditions as nationals. However, many citizens are unaware of how these rights work in practice. This course breaks down complex legal frameworks, providing clear, practical guidance on how to navigate the voting process in your resident country and make your voice heard in both local and EU-wide elections.

By participating, you will:

• Understand the full scope of your voting rights as an EU citizen.
• Learn how to stand as a candidate in municipal and European Parliament elections.
• Gain practical knowledge on how to engage more citizens in the democratic process, particularly for local authorities and civil society organizations.

Course Breakdown

The course is structured into two main modules:

1. Political Participation in Local Elections

   • This module delves into the rights of EU mobile citizens to vote and stand in municipal elections in the Member State of residence. Learn about the specific legal frameworks and practicalities of participating in local politics, even if you’re not a national of that country.

2. Political Participation in European Parliament Elections

   • Discover how you, as an EU mobile citizen, can participate in European Parliament elections. This module explains the process, the legal rights involved, and how to ensure you’re exercising your full democratic potential at the EU level.

Meet the Experts

The course is led by two experienced professionals:

• Claire Morot-Sir, ECAS’ EU Rights Manager. Claire brings years of experience in researching and analyzing legal frameworks related to EU citizens' rights. Her work focuses on understanding how to enhance political participation, making her insights invaluable for both individuals and authorities.

• Marta Azevedo Silva, ECAS’ Communications Manager. Marta is an expert in EU-level communications and stakeholder engagement. Her contributions to the course focus on improving outreach and communication strategies to engage more citizens in the voting process across Europe.

Who Should Enroll?

This course is ideal for:

• EU Mobile Citizens: If you reside in an EU country other than your own, this course will help you understand how to vote and stand for elections, ensuring your political voice is heard.
• Local Authorities: Learn best practices for promoting voter participation and running inclusive elections.
• Civil Society Organizations and Policymakers: Discover strategies for increasing awareness and political engagement among EU citizens.

Why This Course Matters

Political participation is essential for a functioning democracy, and as an EU mobile citizen, you have unique opportunities to contribute. Yet, many citizens don’t exercise their full political rights simply because they’re unaware of how to do so. This course empowers you to take control of your political future and helps local authorities create environments where more citizens can engage in elections effectively.

Enroll Now for Free

This course is free and accessible to anyone looking to deepen their understanding of EU citizens' political rights. Whether you're an EU citizen wanting to engage more fully in elections or a policymaker aiming to boost political participation, this course is designed for you.

Don’t wait—empower yourself today! Start your free online course now and become a more informed and engaged citizen of the European Union.

The project is co-funded by the CERV programme of the European Union under the EURECA project.