As MEPs prepare to assess the risks of disinformation to election integrity in an upcoming plenary session, the European Public Affairs Consultancies’ Association (EPACA) has issued a critical memo highlighting the growing threat of fake NGOs and think tanks infiltrating the EU’s policy-making processes.
This development raises significant concerns about the integrity of legislative outcomes within the European Parliament.
EPACA is the representative trade body for public affairs consultancies working with EU institutions. It promotes transparency and ethical conduct in lobbying, providing training and guidance to its members on adhering to its Code of Conduct.
EPACA’s memo brings to light several alarming instances where fraudulent NGOs have successfully penetrated the European Parliament. High-profile cases include the ‘Fight Impunity’ NGO, set up by a former MEP, which was at the centre of the Qatargate scandal.
Another example is the ‘Democracy Centre for Transparency,’ exposed by POLITICO in April 2024 for lobbying on behalf of the Qatari government. Additionally, the ‘Fondation Democratie et Gouvernance’ spread disinformation among MEPs about the technology firm Dentsu Tracking. These entities, posing as legitimate civil society organisations, have managed to sway policy debates and decisions by concealing their true affiliations and funding sources.
These fake NGOs typically evade the EU Transparency Register, conceal their funding sources and leadership structures, and advocate for the policy interests of non-EU funders. By organising meetings, influencing resolutions, and posing questions to the Commission, these groups have manipulated the legislative process to serve undisclosed interests.
To counter this threat, EPACA urges MEPs and their staff to verify the entity’s presence in the EU Transparency Register, scrutinise the provided information about their membership and funding, and pose probing questions if there are doubts about the entity’s legitimacy. EPACA asserts that genuine NGOs will have no issues complying with transparency requirements and will openly disclose their funding and management details.
EPACA emphasises that while diverse voices are essential in policy discussions, the integrity of these discussions must be protected through transparency and honesty. The association continues to advocate for the highest standards of transparency in EU affairs lobbying.
