The European Commission extended the deadline for collecting the signatures by 6 months. The European Parliament voted for the Commission’s proposal to extend the deadlines for collecting, verifying and examining all ongoing European Citizens’ Initiatives (ECIs) impeded by the COVID-19 pandemic. The global health crisis and the corresponding social distancing measures have been a serious drawback for the ECIs, national authorities and the European Institutions (signature collection, campaigning, verifying signatures, follow-up on successful ECIs).