Who we are
Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) is a research and campaign group working to expose and challenge the privileged access and influence enjoyed by corporations and their lobby groups in EU policy making.
Go to: Our team - Our board - Our statutes - Our annual report - Who funds us?

Kat Ainger
Editor (freelance)
Kat.ainger@corporateeurope.org

Belén Balanyá
Researcher and campaigner
Work areas: Climate, Energy, Environment
Belen.balanya@corporateeurope.org

Vicky Cann
Researcher and campaigner
Work areas: Lobbying the EU, Chemicals policy, Environmental justice
Vicky.cann@corporateeurope.org
0044 7960 988096

Kenneth Haar
Researcher and campaigner
Work areas: Finance, economic and social justice, democracy
kenneth.haar@corporateeurope.org
0045 2360 0631

Olivier Hoedeman
Research and campaign coordinator
Work areas: Lobbying the EU
Olivier.hoedeman@corporateeurope.org
0032 4 74486545

Nina Holland
Researcher and campaigner
Work areas: Agribusiness, GMOs, Lobbying the EU, EFSA
Nina.holland@corporateeurope.org

Kees Kimman
Finance manager
kees.kimman@corporateeurope.org
0031 63830 4731

Karin Lotz
Office & HR Manager
Karin.lotz@corporateeurope.org

Pascoe Sabido
Researcher and campaigner
Work areas: Lobbying the EU, Expert groups, Climate, Energy, Environment
Pascoe.sabido@corporateeurope.org

Hans van Scharen
*Out of office until June 2024*
Researcher and campaigner
Work areas: Agribusiness & Food, Pesticides, GMOs, Lobbying the EU
Hans@corporateeurope.org
0032 484 729776

Joana Louçã
Communications Officer
Joana@corporateeurope.org

Bram Vranken
Researcher and campaigner
Work areas: Big Tech, economic and social justice
Bram@corporateeurope.org

Martha Myers
Researcher and campaigner
Work areas: Climate justice, energy, energy poverty, public ownership, fossil fuel company accountability
Martha.myers@corporateeurope.org

João Camargo
Researcher and campaigner
Work areas: Agribusiness
Joao@corporateeurope.org

Sarah Reader
Press Officer (freelance)
Sarah@corporateeurope.org
Our board
CEO's board consists of three members:
Analía Penchaszadeh (The Netherlands/Argentina)
Brid Brennan (The Netherlands/Ireland)
Saskia Ozinga (Belgium)
Our advisory council includes the board members as well as:
Pratap Chatterjee (India/US)
Jakub Patočka (Czech Republic)
Thomas Wallgren (Finland)
Emma Avilés (Spain)
Lisa Mittendrein (Austria)
Our annual report
Take a look at our research and campaigning highlights from last year, and discover some of the great coverage of our work in our 2021 annual report. Also take a look at our 2020 annual report.
In 2022, CEO celebrated its 25th anniversary. Find out more here.
Who funds us?
Corporate Europe Observatory receives donations from individual supporters as well as grants from a number of trusts and grant-making foundations. Our funding policy rejects funding from EU institutions and corporations in order to maintain the independence of our research. You can access our CEO accounts 2008-2022 here. Currently the following trusts and foundations are supporting us financially. This table will be updated accordingly.
Name of foundation | Mission statement | CEO activities funded | Current Financial year 2023 |
---|---|---|---|
The Isvara Foundation was established in 2007 and is fully funded by a donation from founder Ayman Jallad. It is "a progressive trust that awards grants to civil society organisations working to halt the unsustainable and socially destructive neo-liberal policies that characterize the currently dominant process of corporate-led globalisation." |
Investigating corporate influence & strengthening EU lobbying regulation |
€ 100,000 |
|
“Adessium Foundation was established in 2005 by the Van Vliet family, which has a background in asset management.” “The Foundation works to achieve a balanced society characterized by integrity, a balance between people and nature, and social harmony.“ |
Investigating corporate influence & strengthening EU lobbying regulation |
€ 150,000 This is part of a 3-year grant, with a total of €420,000 for 2023-26 |
|
The Open Society Foundations were set up in 1979 by George Soros. “The Open Society Initiative for Europe aims to contribute to more vibrant and legitimate democracies in the European Union by supporting the activists and civil society organizations confronting Europe’s many challenges.” |
Investigating corporate influence & strengthening EU lobbying regulation |
€129,570 |
|
Global Greengrants Fund believes solutions to environmental harm and social injustice come from people whose lives are most impacted. Every day, our global network of people on the frontlines and donors comes together to support communities to protect their ways of life and our planet. |
Investigating corporate influence (EU food and agriculture policies) |
€ 29,886 |
|
"Oak Foundation commits its resources to address issues of global, social, and environmental concern, particularly those that have a major impact on the lives of the disadvantaged. Through our grant-making, we support others to make the world a safer, fairer, and more sustainable place to live" |
Environmental Justice Campaign |
€ 48,000 |
|
“The Charles Léopold Mayer Foundation for the Progress of Humankind (fph) is a foundation under Swiss law. Our aim is to contribute to the emergence of a global community. Our work focuses on governance, ethics and sustainable living modes.” |
Investigating corporate influence & strengthening EU lobbying regulation |
€ 40,000 |
|
The European Climate Foundation is dedicated to responding to the global climate crisis by creating a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions society. |
Investigating corporate influence (EU climate and energy policies), & strengthening EU lobbying regulation |
€ 21,756 |
|
"Tides is a philanthropic partner and nonprofit accelerator dedicated to building a world of shared prosperity and social justice." |
Investigating corporate influence (EU food and agriculture and chemicals policy), & strengthening EU lobbying regulation |
€30,000 |
|
Energy Transition Fund (ETF) is a funder collaborative that supports international strategies to create the conditions for a just and equitable energy transition, in line with the Paris climate limits. ETF supports civil society organizations working at the regional and global level to secure a just and equitable transition. |
EU climate and energy policies |
€93,333 |
|
(not to be confused with the now |
Olin gGmbH “is committed to the protection of natural habitats. The focus of Olin is the temporary support of smaller organizations and projects.” “Olin gGmbH was founded in May 2012 by Alexander Szlovák. It receives its financial resources from his private foundation.” |
Investigating corporate influence (EU food and agriculture policies) |
€ 50,000 |
Reset provides "grants and contracts while working alongside partners with a shared policy, technology, and advocacy agenda in countries with immediate opportunities for change. Our goal is to stop Big Tech companies from profiting off public harm by resetting the rules for online media. Every other major industry – from automotive to pharmaceutical, telecommunications to banking – must follow rules that protect the public interest. Tech giants should be no different. |
Investigating corporate influence & strengthening EU lobbying regulation |
€ 70,167 |
|
CS Fund seeks to create an equitable democracy, achieve a just transition to a regenerative economy and food system, and mitigate climate chaos. |
Agribusiness Campaign |
€ 11,360 |
|
The Polden Puckham Charitable Foundation (PPCF) is a grant-giving trust with Quaker family roots. Their assets have been given to the Foundation by some family members and the capital originated from (formerly) Quaker owned businesses. PPCF's priority is "to address systemic threats by seeking to change policy and attitudes at a national, European or international level |
Fossil Free Politics Campaign |
€ 112,522 |
|
Civitates provides funding for civil society actors to come together, revitalise public discourse, and ensure that all voices are heard. Because we need a strong civil society to shape vibrant and open European democracies that work for all. |
Economic Justice |
€ 30,000 |
|
The Grassroots Foundation was founded in 1999 with the goal of supporting civil society movements in their struggles for the protection of nature and the respect for human rights. Grassroots aims to strengthen non-governmental groups and movements in their efforts to challenge destructive and undemocratic development practices that many governments and corporations are promoting. |
Environmental Justice |
€ 15,000 |
|
Total grant funding in 2023 | €881,594 |