A non-profit organisation is generally defined as an organisation characterized by a « non-distribution constraint », i.e. whose members may not receive any direct return from the activity of the organisation, be it « in cash » or « in kind ».

The new provision of the Lisbon Treaty on the Citizens’ Initiative (art.11 par. 4), opens up new prospects for citizens’ participation, having the potential of triggering a real cross-border debate on European policy issues.