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.
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, Captured states
Vicky.cann@corporateeurope.org
0044 1494 864649
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
Researcher and campaigner
Work areas: Agribusiness & Food, Pesticides, GMOs, Lobbying the EU
Hans@corporateeurope.org
0032 484 729776
Lucy Hall
Press Officer
Lucy@corporateeurope.org
0044 7908 481895
Joana Louçã
Communications Officer
Joana@corporateeurope.org
Bram Vranken
Researcher and campaigner
Work areas: Big Tech, economic and social justice
Bram@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)
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.
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 2008-2021. Currently the following trusts and foundations are supporting us financially:
Name of foundation |
Mission statement |
CEO activities funded |
Financial year 2022 |
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Isvara Foundation |
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 |
€ 100,000.00 |
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“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 |
€ 115,000.00 This is part of a 3-year Grant, with a total of € 350.000 for 2019 to 2022 |
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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 |
€148,032.00 |
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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) |
€ 26,039.00 |
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“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 |
€ 36,539.00 |
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“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 |
€ 40,000.00 |
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| European Climate Foundation | 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 |
€ 41,098.00 |
|
| Tides | "Tides is a philanthropic partner and nonprofit accelerator dedicated to building a world of shared prosperity and social justice." |
|
€ 5,000.00 | |
| Energy Transition Fund |
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 | € 66,666.67 | |
|
(not to be confused with the now defunct John M Olin Foundation) |
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) |
€ 60,000.00 |
|
| Reset | 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 |
€ 39,036.00 |
|
| CS Marin Fund | 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 |
€ 19,114.00 |
|
| Polden Puckham Charitable Foundation | 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 |
€ 119,325.00 |
|
| Grassroots Foundation | 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. | Agribusiness G.M.O, Climate and Finance |
€ 20,000.00 |
Total grant funding in 2022 €835,850.00