Too Far to Reach? Explaining Low Croatian Participation in the European Citizens' Initiative

Abstract

This article explores the dynamics of Croatian citizen participation in the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI), with a particular focus on explaining the notably low level of engagement since Croatia's accession to the EU in 2013. The study establishes a quantitative baseline of Croatian involvement in ECIs and presents qualitative insights from focus group discussions with students of political science, journalism, and European studies, as well as interviews with CSOs who have participated in ECIs. By combining these methods, the article identifies key barriers and opportunities for increasing Croatian engagement in ECIs. The analysis seeks to understand why Croatian citizens participate significantly less in ECIs compared to broader EU trends. The findings point to a lack of awareness, perceived ineffectiveness, and procedural complexity as major obstacles, while strong CSOs' involvement and targeted communication strategies emerge as critical factors for improving participation. This research contributes to the broader discourse on participatory democracy in the EU by addressing the challenges faced by newer member states such as Croatia.