Bürgerinitiativen

The aim of a citizens' initiative is to influence public opinion and exert political pressure to implement or prevent a specific public measure.

A citizens' initiative is a community founded on the basis of a specific cause. Its aim is to influence public opinion and thus exert political pressure to implement or prevent a specific public measure (e.g. the construction of a bypass).

Participation in a citizens' initiative is one of various ways in which citizens can get involved.

Citizens' initiatives are usually formed at municipal level. Their classic fields of activity can be divided thematically into the areas of "housing", "environment" and "culture" (including schools and kindergartens). The demands of the citizens' initiatives are addressed to municipal councils, district councils or local authorities.

A citizens' initiative does not require a specific legal form and therefore does not have to be officially registered.

However, a citizens' initiative can acquire legal capacity by being entered in the register of associations and, as a registered association ("e.V."), can itself be the holder of rights and obligations, for example to lodge appeals and take legal action.