EUROPEAN CITIZENS' INITIATIVE IN THE CONTEXT OF REDUCING DEMOCRATIC DEFICIT IN EU This thesis primarily involves a study of the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI), its functioning and contribution to democracy in the EU. The ECI is the first tool to facilitate transnational participatory democracy in the world. It allows EU citizens to invite the European Commission, within the framework of its powers, to submit any appropriate proposal on matters where citizens consider that a legal act of the Union is required for the purpose of implementing the Treaties. For a better understanding of the democratic contribution of the ECI, the work first analyses the state of democracy in the EU, confirming the existence of a democratic deficit in the EU. It subsequently addresses its history and causes. Based on information obtained concerning democracy in the EU and its development, the work then proceeds to undertake a legal analysis of Regulation No. 211/2011 on the citizens' initiative, taking into account the history of its origins. It identifies the potential democratic contribution of the ECI for democracy in the EU. This specifically entails the activation of civil society by awakening political debate at Union level and bringing the EU closer to its citizens by involving them more closely in...