Blog – Access Info Europe

Spanish Civil Society Calls on Parliament to Address a Democratic Gap: Regulating Lobbying

Marta Morcuende2026-09-15T12:39:07+02:00

15 SEPTEMBER, INTERNATIONAL DAY OF DEMOCRACY Spanish Civil Society Calls on Parliament to Address a Democratic Gap: Regulating Lobbying The signatory organisations are calling for the validation of the Royal Decree-Law to regulate interest groups and its subsequent processing as a Bill to improve the text, incorporate new contributions and strengthen parliamentary consensus The text incorporates numerous amendments proposed by the different parliamentary groups Madrid, 15 September 2026. Coinciding with the celebration of the International Day of Democracy, 13 signatory organisations call on the parliamentary groups of the Spanish Congress of Deputies to support this Wednesday 16, the validation

Spanish Civil Society Calls on Parliament to Address a Democratic Gap: Regulating LobbyingMarta Morcuende2026-09-15T12:39:07+02:00

Food-Labelling Case Exposes Risks on EU Transparency Rules

Marta Morcuende2026-07-13T11:52:22+02:00

Brussels-Madrid, 13 July 2026 – Access Info Europe has lodged an appeal before the Court of Justice of the European Union in a case concerning public access to key legislative documents related to the revision of the Food Information to Consumers (FIC) Regulation. The appeal challenges a General Court order that dismissed Access Info's action as inadmissible and raises broader questions about the safeguards established by Regulation 1049/2001, the EU law governing public access to documents. The case concerns documents originally requested by foodwatch in 2023, and then again by Access Info in 2025, including the European Commission's Impact

Food-Labelling Case Exposes Risks on EU Transparency RulesMarta Morcuende2026-07-13T11:52:22+02:00

Helen Darbishire Award – Call for Applications and Nominations Now Open

Marta Morcuende2026-07-01T10:37:09+02:00

Madrid, 1 July 2026 – Access Info Europe is thrilled to announce a new edition of the Helen Darbishire Award, which celebrates those who use their right of access to information to have a positive impact on society. The Helen Darbishire Award recognises those who have significantly leveraged their right of access to information to advance human rights, the rule of law, transparency and government accountability, anti-corruption efforts, or environmental protection. 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 of access to information

Helen Darbishire Award – Call for Applications and Nominations Now OpenMarta Morcuende2026-07-01T10:37:09+02:00

Public scrutiny of secret Covid vaccine negotiations gets shot in the arm from EU adviser

Marta Morcuende2026-06-12T14:53:40+02:00

Courthouse News Service | 11/06/2026 English - Billions of euros, pandemic vaccine deals and years of secrecy collided again Thursday, as a top adviser to Europe’s highest court said the public should get a closer look at records tied to the European Union’s Covid-19 vaccine contracts. Read more...

Public scrutiny of secret Covid vaccine negotiations gets shot in the arm from EU adviserMarta Morcuende2026-06-12T14:53:40+02:00

Access Info joins 500+ organisations calling for stronger EU investment in democracy, media, and culture

Marta Morcuende2026-04-13T13:55:36+02:00

Madrid, 13 April 2026. – Access Info Europe has joined a broad coalition of over 500 organisations from across Europe calling on EU decision-makers to significantly increase funding for democracy, independent media, and civil society in the next EU budget. In a joint letter sent to EU leaders, the coalition urges the European Commission, Council and Parliament to back the European Parliament’s proposal to reinforce the budget of AgoraEU — a new programme designed to support culture, media, and fundamental rights under a single framework. For Access Info Europe, this is not just a budget discussion — it is

Access Info joins 500+ organisations calling for stronger EU investment in democracy, media, and cultureMarta Morcuende2026-04-13T13:55:36+02:00

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