7. Other EP tools available to EU citizens

The transparency register

Groups and organisations of various kinds take part in the definition of EU policies: bearers of private interests but also of civil society, representatives of public interests. Accounting for the ways in which decisions are made by institutions is a fundamental element of democracy. The EU has therefore set up a transparency register in order to ensure adequate control over the groups and organisations that interact with the European Parliament and the European Commission in the decision-making process, so that the EU institutions act responsibly in the general interest.
The  Transparency Portal offers various other tools to ensure that decision-making in the EU is participatory and transparent. These include: public consultations; information on who receives funding from the EU budget; the documents used or produced in the process of developing and adopting regulations.

Dialogue with religious and non-confessional organisations

An instrument that sees the European Parliament directly involved in the organisation of a series of events to promote and facilitate inter-religious dialogue. The Lisbon Treaty of 2009 (Article 17 of the TFEU) included informal contacts between EU institutions and churches, religious associations, philosophical and non-confessional organisations within a legal framework to foster an open and transparent dialogue Between the parties. The EP actively participates in this dialogue by organising debates and conferences.

The European coordinator for children rights

The position, initially called "Mediator of the European Parliament for cases of international child abduction", was established in 1987 with the aim of helping children born to married and unmarried couples of different nationalities who are victims of abduction by a parent. The EP actively participates in the legislative debate, putting the experience of the Coordinator's Office at the service of citizens.

Eurobarometer

The Eurobarometer is a tool for polling citizens' views on the European Parliament, its image and role, their knowledge of the institution, sense of belonging in the European Union, identity, citizenship, priorities, and political values. The Special Eurobarometer on discrimination in the EU has been published since 2006: the most recent data are from 2019.

Prizes

The activity of the European Parliament in the field of fundamental rights is also expressed through the four awards assigned each year in recognition of excellence in relation to human rights, cinema, youth projects, and civic sense.

Patronage

The EP annually provides its moral support to a number of events (conferences, debates, seminars, summer universities, awards, competitions, festivals, etc.) which meet certain conditions.