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.
Our team
Kat Ainger
Editor (freelance)
Contact: kat.ainger(at)corporateeurope.org
Belén Balanya
Researcher and campaigner
Work areas: Climate, Energy, Environment
Contact: belen.balanya(at)corporateeurope.org
On sabbatical until 1 October 2019.
Vicky Cann
Researcher and campaigner
Work areas: Lobbying the EU, Captured states
Contact: vicky.cann(at)corporateeurope.org
Tel: 0044 (0) 1494 864649
Theresa Crysmann
Media officer
Contact: theresa.crysmann(at)corporateeurope.org
Tel: 0032 (0)2893 0930
Pia Eberhardt
Researcher and campaigner
Work areas: International trade and investment, ISDS
Contact: pia.eberhardt(at)corporateeurope.org
Kenneth Haar
Researcher and campaigner
Work areas: Finance, Lobbying the EU, Trade
Contact: kenneth.haar(at)corporateeurope.org
Tel: 0045 2360 0631
Olivier Hoedeman
Research and campaign coordinator
Work areas: Lobbying the EU
Contact: olivier.hoedeman(at)corporateeurope.org
Tel: 0032 (0)2893 0930
Nina Holland
Researcher and campaigner
Work areas: Agribusiness, GMOs, Lobbying the EU, EFSA
Contact: nina.holland(at)corporateeurope.org
Tel: 0032 (0)2893 0930
Luisa Izuzquiza
Outreach organiser and fundraiser
Contact: luisa.izuzquiza(at)corporateeurope.org
Tel: 0032 (0)2893 0930
Kees Kimman
Finance manager
Contact: kees.kimman(at)corporateeurope.org
Tel: 0031 63830 4731
Karin Lotz
Office manager
Contact: karin.lotz(at)corporateeurope.org
Tel: 0032 (0)2893 0930
Martin Pigeon
Researcher and campaigner
Work areas: Agribusiness, EFSA, Lobbying the EU, Research policies, (Water)
Contact: martin.pigeon(at)corporateeurope.org
Tel: 0032 (0)2893 0930
Pascoe Sabido
Researcher and campaigner
Work areas: Lobbying the EU, Expert groups, Climate, Energy, Environment
Contact: pascoe.sabido(at)corporateeurope.org
On leave until 19 August 2019.
Margarida Silva
Researcher and campaigner
Work areas: Lobbying the EU, Revolving doors, Lobby transparency
Contact: margarida.silva(at)corporateeurope.org
Tel: 0032 (0)2893 0930
Erik Wesselius
Web gardener
Contact: erik.wesselius(at)corporateeurope.org
Our board
CEO has an advisory board. Its members are:
Brid Brennan (The Netherlands/Ireland)
Pratap Chatterjee (India/US)
Susan George (France)
Adam Ma’anit (UK/US)
Jakub Patočka (Czech Republic)
Analía Penchaszadeh (The Netherlands/Argentina)
Saskia Ozinga (Belgium)
Thomas Wallgren (Finland)
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 the EU, governments, political parties and corporations in order to maintain the independence of our research. You can access our CEO accounts 2008-2018. Currently the following trusts and foundations are supporting us financially:
Name of foundation | Mission statement | CEO activities funded | Financial year 2018 |
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 | € 191,000.00 | |
“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 | € 143,250.00 | |
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 | € 94,446.00 | |
The Schöpflin Foundation, established by Hans Schöpflin in 2001, and “is committed to a more liveable world for all. We want a fairer world and a better future for the younger and future generations.” | Investigating corporate influence (EU trade and climate policies) | € 72,200.00 | |
defunct John M Olin Foundation) | The Olin Foundation “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) | € 60,000.00 |
Funders for Fair Trade Foundation (established in 2014 by the Jenifer Altman Foundation and MAVA Foundation) “intends to support the best possible outcome on EU trade negotiations from the perspective of public health, environmental protection and human rights.” | Investigating corporate influence (EU trade policy) | € 40,000.00 | |
The Marisla Foundation was established in 1986 by Anne Getty Earheart. “The Foundation makes grants in two program areas (the Human Services Program and the Environmental Program) and one special interests category.” | Investigating corporate influence (EU food and agriculture policies) | € 26,004.29 | |
“The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust is a Quaker trust which supports people who address the root causes of conflict and injustice. At JRCT, we want to engage in philanthropy which challenges the existing power imbalances in society to effect real change.” | Investigating corporate influence & strengthening EU lobbying regulation | € 26,000.00 | |
“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 | € 25,000.00 | |
The Plastic Solutions Fund was established wit the help of the Oak and Marisla Foundations in January of 2017 to “support and build the foundations of the global movement to say no to plastic packaging waste, to embrace zero waste principles and stop the tide of plastic flowing into the ocean” and to “fuel this movement with strategic philanthropic investment.” | Investigating corporate influence & strengthening EU lobbying regulation | € 10,000.00 | |
Oak Foundation was formally established in 1983 and “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.” | Investigating corporate influence (EU food and agriculture policies) | € 10,000.00 | |
The Sigrid Rausing Trust aims to “promote the values and principles of human rights and freedoms, equality and the rule of law, and to preserve nature from further degradation. ” | Investigating corporate influence & strengthening EU lobbying regulation | € 7,486.46 |
Total grant funding in 2018 €705,386.75
We also receive private donations from individual supporters. To support CEO’s work, you can donate online or make a bank transfer.
Thanks so much for your contributions, which boost our independence and help us expose and challenge corporate power. We are particularly grateful for the very generous financial backing of Ms Karde-Marie Wirtz, who in 2018 supported our work with a total of €44,120.