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. Led by Le Monde and involving 46 journalists and 18 multidisciplinary experts, the 2024 investigation spanned 16 countries and the EU institutions. It uncovered over 14,000 previously unpublished documents – the world’s largest archive on PFAS.
Using this trove of information, the team exposed how industry actors used deceptive lobbying tactics to weaken proposed EU regulations, while downplaying the staggering annual cost – estimated at €100 billion – of cleaning up PFAS contamination. The findings were published across dozens of European media outlets, igniting public discourse and scrutiny around corporate influence and environmental accountability.
Finalist: Wombs for Hire
- Category: Women’s rights
- Submitted by: Seda Karatabanoglu and Zeynep Yüncüler
In Wombs for Hire, journalists conducted a cross-border investigation into the unregulated surrogacy market connecting Turkey, Georgia, and Northern Cyprus. Through FOI requests, undercover work, legal analysis, and field reporting, they exposed a system rife with exploitation, medical malpractice, and legal loopholes.
Published in three languages, the investigation prompted recognition from the Women’s Commission of the Turkish Medical Association and sparked engagement from civil society and international organizations. By uncovering institutional failures and giving voice to women often silenced by the system, the project set a new standard for investigative journalism in the realm of reproductive and human rights.
Finalist: A Thousand Billion in Responsibility
- Category: Environmental protection
- Submitted by: Olivier Christe, Balz Oertli, and Sven Niederhäuser
In A Thousand Billion in Responsibility, the WAV research collective, together with CORRECTIV.Switzerland, used the Public Disclosure Act to investigate how Swiss pension funds managing vast public assets are shaping global financial markets, often with significant climate impact. Their reporting revealed opaque investment practices that affect vulnerable populations worldwide The project also accounted for the legal and financial realities of pension funds, distinguishing specious arguments from serious attempts to address negative impacts of investment practices.
The investigation led to major transparency breakthroughs, including the first full portfolio disclosure by the Swiss pension fund Basellandschaftliche Pensionskasse. It also spurred political initiatives and policy changes: The Pension Fund of the City of Zurich recently adopted a climate-aligned investment model, and Geneva halted investments in Israeli government bonds. By publishing data canton by canton and facilitating public forums (starting in November), the team is redefining how Switzerland thinks about ethical finance, transparency, and climate responsibility.
Next steps
The three finalists will now be assessed by the Evaluation Committee, which comprises members of Access Info’s Board of Directors and International Advisory Board, including geographical and gender balance.
- Ana Revuelta
- Carlos Cordero
- Carole Ewart
- Alexander Fanta
- Sergejus Muravjovas
The Evaluation Committee will assess the finalists based on the following criteria:
- Tangible Impact: Achievements that have positively affected disadvantaged or marginalised groups.
- Inspiration: Encouraging others to exercise their right to access information.
- Adaptability: Overcoming obstacles to secure access to crucial information.
- Collaboration: Partnering with individuals, organisations, or communities to amplify the impact of their work.
- Sustainability: Ensuring long-lasting outcomes and continued benefit from the information obtained.
The winner will be announced on 1st August, with the winning candidate being invited to speak at this year’s Open Government Partnership Summit in Spain.