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In recent years, global research and practice have placed increased emphasison how to make citizen engagement and social accountability practices morestrategic and effective. The increasing complexity of policymaking and thefailure to find adequate solutions to some of humanity%u2019s most serious andpressing problems %u2013 such as climate change, health emergencies, growinginequality, conflict, and violence %u2013 have prompted governments, developmentinstitutions, civil society organizations (CSOs), and citizens to rethink how toengage in dialogue, share decision-making, and act collectively in a moremeaningful and impactful way (the World Bank, 2023).It is important that engaged citizens can play a critical role in making publicinstitutions more transparent, accountable, and effective, and in contributinginnovative solutions to development challenges. Citizen engagement andparticipation are essential components of a thriving democracy, as they enableindividuals to actively participate in the decision-making process and holdelected officials accountable. n 1. 3. 2. Participation of European citizens in the EUEU citizenship is the crown jewel of European integration. It is to the politicalunion what the euro is to the Economic and Monetary Union. In 2013, VivianeReding, the EU%u2019s Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship,said, %u201cToday%u2019s Citizenship Report places EU citizens centre stage.%u201d (EuropeanCommission, 2013). The creation of European citizenship strengthens the EU,giving it greater legitimacy and internal security. To some extent, it also providesa solution to the democratic deficit facing the community. It is citizenship thatmakes the EU a political and not just an economic entity. Civic activism lies atthe heart of the architecture of citizenship of the union, which can be seenthrough the classic conceptualisation describing it as consisting of the elementsof legal status, rights, and collective identity.In the EU participatory system, several different instruments and mechanismshave been developed over the years. Some of them are still active, while othersdo not exist anymore or were merely temporary. %u25aa European Parliament elections are the EU%u2019s most significant democraticinstrument. Although voter turnout increased in 2019, it remains difficult forEuropean citizens to see how elections make a real difference in the EUdecision-making process. %u25aa The European Citizens%u2019 Initiative is an EU flagship participation instrument,allowing one million EU citizens to call on the European Commission topropose legislation. So far, it has lacked impact and often left organisersfrustrated, but the End the Cage Age initiative seems to have produced itsfirst true success story. 461 Citizen Commitment