Who is eligible to make a request to the EU Ombudsman?

The eligibility to make a request to the EU Ombudsman includes both EU citizens and EU residents, as stated in the correct answer. This ensures that individuals who have a direct connection to the EU—either through citizenship or residency—can seek assistance regarding issues related to the functioning of EU institutions and bodies.

EU citizens have the right to address complaints regarding maladministration, while EU residents—individuals living in any EU Member State, regardless of their citizenship—are also granted this right to voice grievances and seek redress. This inclusive approach allows the Ombudsman to support a broader range of individuals impacted by EU policies and practices, thus promoting transparency and accountability within EU institutions.

Other options limit the audience eligible to seek help from the Ombudsman, which undermines the openness and accessibility of this important institution. Specifically, restricting requests to only EU citizens or only EU residents would exclude significant groups of individuals who might still be affected by EU actions.