Blog – Access Info Europe

Access Info Submits Comments on the Spanish Draft Law on Public Integrity

Marta Morcuende2026-03-18T16:45:51+01:00

Madrid, 2 March 2026. – Access Info Europe has participated in the public consultation and information process for the Spanish Draft Organic Law on Public Integrity, submitting its comments to the Ministry of Finance to strengthen the transparency and access to information requirements of this key legislation to prevent and combat corruption. The draft bill includes a wide range of measures aimed at strengthening accountability, improving institutional controls and increasing transparency in areas particularly sensitive to public integrity, which Access Info welcomes. Nevertheless, Access Info highlighted the limited timeframe provided for submitting comments and observations – just eight working

Access Info Submits Comments on the Spanish Draft Law on Public IntegrityMarta Morcuende2026-03-18T16:45:51+01:00

Access Info Celebrates Landmark Release of Secret Files on Spain’s 23-F Coup

Marta Morcuende2026-03-18T16:45:42+01:00

Madrid, 25 February 2026 — Access Info Europe welcomes the decision by the Spanish Government to declassify documents relating to the attempted coup d’état of 23 February 1981, a move that acknowledges the public’s right to know about events that profoundly shaped Spain’s democratic history. For decades, these documents remained inaccessible under the shadow of a Franco-era law — the 1968 Official Secrets Act — which, despite Spain’s transition to democracy, has continued to govern classified information without clear declassification deadlines or effective independent oversight. Its origins and outdated nature have been widely criticised by human rights organisations, historians

Access Info Celebrates Landmark Release of Secret Files on Spain’s 23-F CoupMarta Morcuende2026-03-18T16:45:42+01:00

Access Info Ranks ATI Laws in 15 European Countries with Public Request Platforms

Rachel Hanna2025-08-27T15:18:21+02:00

27 August 2025 - Access Info Europe has released a study comparing access to information (ATI) frameworks in 15 European countries, all of which operate public request platforms. The analysis measures how well national laws align with the Council of Europe’s Tromsø Convention and other international standards. About the study The research was carried out under the Access to Information Network Project, a three-year initiative led by Access Info Europe, mySociety, and the Open Knowledge Foundation Germany. The project aims to build a strong, collaborative European community advocating for better access to information. As part of this work, Access

Access Info Ranks ATI Laws in 15 European Countries with Public Request PlatformsRachel Hanna2025-08-27T15:18:21+02:00

Winner Announced for the Helen Darbishire Award 2025

Rachel Hanna2025-08-01T15:08:16+02:00

Madrid, 1st August 2025 – Access Info Europe is delighted to announce that the winner of the 2025 Helen Darbishire Award is The Forever Lobbying Project. This cross-border investigation exposed how the chemical industry lobbied against EU action on PFAS, so-called “forever chemicals”, linked to ongoing environmental and public health risks. Now in its second year, the Helen Darbishire Award celebrates outstanding efforts to advance human rights, environmental protection, anti-corruption, and democratic accountability through the use of the right of access to information. Cross-border collaboration, international impact Led by Le Monde, and supported by 46 journalists across 16 countries and

Winner Announced for the Helen Darbishire Award 2025Rachel Hanna2025-08-01T15:08:16+02:00

Finalists Announced for the Helen Darbishire Award 2025

Rachel Hanna2025-08-01T15:05:42+02:00

Madrid, 25th July 2025 – Access Info Europe announces three finalists for this year's Helen Darbishire Award. Now in its second year, the award aims to honour individuals and organisations that have effectively used their right to information to advance human rights, environmental protection, democracy, or anti-corruption efforts. Following a competitive round of applications from across Europe, the Evaluation Committee has selected three outstanding finalists. Finalist: The Forever Lobbying Project Category: Environmental protection Submitted by: Stéphane Horel (Le Monde) The Forever Lobbying Project is a groundbreaking cross-border investigation into the lobbying and disinformation efforts of the PFAS (“forever chemicals”) industry.

Finalists Announced for the Helen Darbishire Award 2025Rachel Hanna2025-08-01T15:05:42+02:00

Legal Recommendations to Strengthen Access to Information in the Netherlands

Rachel Hanna2025-07-07T13:06:43+02:00

Madrid, 7 July 2025 – Today Access Info Europe, in collaboration with SPOON, publishes a set of legal recommendations aimed at strengthening the Netherlands' Open Government Act (OGA) and aligning it with international transparency standards. The Netherlands has recently taken significant steps to strengthen its legal framework on access to information. On 1 May 2022, the Open Government Act (OGA) entered into force, replacing earlier legislation and establishing clearer obligations for public authorities, with a strong emphasis on proactive disclosure. Additionally, enhancing the accessibility and organisation of public sector information remains a priority under the Netherlands’ Fifth Open Government National

Legal Recommendations to Strengthen Access to Information in the NetherlandsRachel Hanna2025-07-07T13:06:43+02:00

Call for nominations for the Helen Darbishire Award

Rachel Hanna2025-06-20T16:56:03+02:00

Madrid, 16 June 2025 – Access Info Europe today announces the launch of the Helen Darbishire Award which celebrates those who have used their right to information to have a positive impact on society. The Helen Darbishire Award (previously the Access Info Impact Award) recognises those who have significantly leveraged their right to information to advance human rights, environmental protection, anti-corruption, and/or government accountability. By celebrating exemplary achievements of civil society advocates, campaigners, journalists, academics and practitioners across Europe, the award aims to highlight the importance of the right to information and inspire others to utilise this powerful tool. Through

Call for nominations for the Helen Darbishire AwardRachel Hanna2025-06-20T16:56:03+02:00

Spanish Court Orders Government to Disclose UNCAC Self-Assessment Documents

Rachel Hanna2025-06-19T11:56:35+02:00

02 June 2025 - A Spanish court has ruled that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation was wrong to refuse Access Info’s request for documents related to Spain’s self-assessment of its implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). Spain is currently participating in the second cycle of the UNCAC review process. As part of this process, countries must complete a self-assessment questionnaire on how they are complying with the UNCAC. This questionnaire then forms the foundation of a peer review by two other states, culminating in a final review report. In terms of transparency,

Spanish Court Orders Government to Disclose UNCAC Self-Assessment DocumentsRachel Hanna2025-06-19T11:56:35+02:00

Pfizergate: EU Court Rules Commission in Violation of Transparency Law Over von der Leyen–Pfizer Texts

Rachel Hanna2025-05-14T16:43:34+02:00

14 May 2025 – The General Court of the European Union has annulled the European Commission decision to refuse access to text messages relating to COVID-19 vaccine negotiations, stating that doing so violated EU access to documents law and breached the principle of good administration. In early 2021, it was revealed that President von der Leyen had exchanged text messages with Pfizer CEO during negotiations for COVID-19 vaccine procurement. Following this, a journalist from The New York Times submitted a request for access to these messages under the EU's access to documents law (Regulation 1049/2001). According to the Commission's

Pfizergate: EU Court Rules Commission in Violation of Transparency Law Over von der Leyen–Pfizer TextsRachel Hanna2025-05-14T16:43:34+02:00

Civil Society Coalition Calls on European Ombudsman to Defend Transparency and the Right of Access to EU Documents

Rachel Hanna2025-05-08T18:19:29+02:00

08 May 2025 - Access Info Europe, alongside a coalition of transparency and accountability organisations, has written to newly elected European Ombudsman Ms. Anjinho urging action to address the “systematic erosion of transparency standards and practices within the EU institutions.” In a joint letter, the coalition congratulated Ms. Anjinho on her election and welcomed her leadership at a pivotal moment for the future of EU democracy. They called on her to use the powers of her office to ensure that transparency is “not merely a theoretical principle, but is implemented by the institutions in practice.” The coalition - which

Civil Society Coalition Calls on European Ombudsman to Defend Transparency and the Right of Access to EU DocumentsRachel Hanna2025-05-08T18:19:29+02:00