17.4.2014 Official Journal of the European Union L 115/3 REGULATIONS COUNCIL REGULATION (EU) No 390/2014 of 14 April 2014 establishing the ‘Europe for Citizens’ programme for the period 2014-2020 THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 352 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission, After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments, Having regard to the consent of the European Parliament, Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (}), Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions (3, Acting in accordance with a special legislative procedure, Whereas: (1) In line with Articles 10 and 11 of the Treaty on European Union, every citizen has the right to participate in the democratic life of the Union and the Union’s institutions should give citizens and representative associations the opportunity to make known and publicly exchange their views in all areas of Union action, as well as maintain an open, transparent and regular dialogue with representative associations and civil society. (2)  With the Commission Communication of 3 March 2010 entitled ‘Europe 2020 — A strategy for smart, sustain- able and inclusive growth’, the Union and the Member States aim at delivering growth, employment, productivity and social cohesion for the coming decade. (3)  While there is objectively an added value in being a Union citizen with established rights, the Union does not always highlight in an effective way the link between the solution to a broad range of economic and social problems and the Union’s policies. Hence, the impressive achievements in terms of peace and stability in Europe, long-term sustainable growth, stable prices, an efficient protection of consumers and the environment and the promotion of fundamental rights, have not always led to a strong feeling among citizens of belonging to the Union. (4)  In order to bring Europe closer to its citizens and to enable them to participate fully in the construction of an ever closer Union, a variety of actions and coordinated efforts through transnational and Union level activities are required. The European Citizens’ Initiative provides a unique opportunity to enable citizens to participate directly in shaping the development of EU legislation (). (5)  Decision No 1904/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council () set out an action programme which has confirmed the need to promote sustained dialogue with civil society organisations and municipalities and to support the active involvement of citizens. () 0] C299,4.10.2012,p.122. () 0] C277,13.9.2012,p. 43. () Regulation (EU) No 211/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 on the citizens’ initiative (O] L 65, 11.3.2011,p. 1). (*) Decision No 1904/2006EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2006 establishing for the period 2007 to 2013 the programme ‘Europe for Citizens’ to promote active European citizenship (OJ L 378, 27.12.2006, p. 32).