European Democracy Consulting & Stiftung
@eudemocracy.eu
Democracy requires hard work and nurturing. We provide expertise to strengthen European democracy. 🇪🇺
European Democracy Consulting (eudemocracy.eu) is a consulting firm, the European Democracy Consulting Stiftung (edcstiftung.eu) a non-profit foundation.
European Democracy Consulting (eudemocracy.eu) is a consulting firm, the European Democracy Consulting Stiftung (edcstiftung.eu) a non-profit foundation.
Finally, looking at individual donations, we see that private companies are the most likely to make major donations -- at, or close to, the maximum allowed of €18k -- with ALDE capturing the bulk of these large donations.
While most fund liberal ALDE, some companies give across the isle..
23/28
While most fund liberal ALDE, some companies give across the isle..
23/28
November 18, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Finally, looking at individual donations, we see that private companies are the most likely to make major donations -- at, or close to, the maximum allowed of €18k -- with ALDE capturing the bulk of these large donations.
While most fund liberal ALDE, some companies give across the isle..
23/28
While most fund liberal ALDE, some companies give across the isle..
23/28
As for geographical origin, unsurprisingly, Belgium remains the largest state of origin, as the EU seat of many donating multinationals.
Given the low amounts in question, the following order of is highly volatile. In 2024, Cyprus shot to 3rd place with 12% of donations thanks to..
20/28
Given the low amounts in question, the following order of is highly volatile. In 2024, Cyprus shot to 3rd place with 12% of donations thanks to..
20/28
November 18, 2025 at 11:26 AM
As for geographical origin, unsurprisingly, Belgium remains the largest state of origin, as the EU seat of many donating multinationals.
Given the low amounts in question, the following order of is highly volatile. In 2024, Cyprus shot to 3rd place with 12% of donations thanks to..
20/28
Given the low amounts in question, the following order of is highly volatile. In 2024, Cyprus shot to 3rd place with 12% of donations thanks to..
20/28
At the level of #europeanparties, the ECR and ALDE receive substantial funding from private companies, while the ECR and ECPP receive notable funding from individuals.
The ECPP alone receives a major part of its funding from interest organisations. Political foundations also provide funding.
19/28
The ECPP alone receives a major part of its funding from interest organisations. Political foundations also provide funding.
19/28
November 18, 2025 at 11:26 AM
At the level of #europeanparties, the ECR and ALDE receive substantial funding from private companies, while the ECR and ECPP receive notable funding from individuals.
The ECPP alone receives a major part of its funding from interest organisations. Political foundations also provide funding.
19/28
The ECPP alone receives a major part of its funding from interest organisations. Political foundations also provide funding.
19/28
Here is your reminder that all this private funding only accounts for 10-15% of #europeanparties' overall funding, with taxpayers footing the rest of the bill.
If nothing else, these figures confirm that, at the aggregate level, European parties are not captured by private interest.
18/28
If nothing else, these figures confirm that, at the aggregate level, European parties are not captured by private interest.
18/28
November 18, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Here is your reminder that all this private funding only accounts for 10-15% of #europeanparties' overall funding, with taxpayers footing the rest of the bill.
If nothing else, these figures confirm that, at the aggregate level, European parties are not captured by private interest.
18/28
If nothing else, these figures confirm that, at the aggregate level, European parties are not captured by private interest.
18/28
With regards to the types of donors/contributors, political parties are the largest sources of private funding, around 93%.
Private companies come next with €162k (3.4%), then individuals with €99.7k (2.1%).
All other types (interest organisations, foundations, etc.) share the remaining 1.7%.
17/28
Private companies come next with €162k (3.4%), then individuals with €99.7k (2.1%).
All other types (interest organisations, foundations, etc.) share the remaining 1.7%.
17/28
November 18, 2025 at 11:26 AM
With regards to the types of donors/contributors, political parties are the largest sources of private funding, around 93%.
Private companies come next with €162k (3.4%), then individuals with €99.7k (2.1%).
All other types (interest organisations, foundations, etc.) share the remaining 1.7%.
17/28
Private companies come next with €162k (3.4%), then individuals with €99.7k (2.1%).
All other types (interest organisations, foundations, etc.) share the remaining 1.7%.
17/28
In terms of trends, both the EPP and PES retain their historic lead and increased their private funding in this election year, as they had in 2019 (but less so).
They received, respectively, close to 31% and over 23% of all donations and contributions, meaning more than half jointly.
14/28
They received, respectively, close to 31% and over 23% of all donations and contributions, meaning more than half jointly.
14/28
November 18, 2025 at 11:26 AM
In terms of trends, both the EPP and PES retain their historic lead and increased their private funding in this election year, as they had in 2019 (but less so).
They received, respectively, close to 31% and over 23% of all donations and contributions, meaning more than half jointly.
14/28
They received, respectively, close to 31% and over 23% of all donations and contributions, meaning more than half jointly.
14/28
..they did not receive public funding either. Even shouldered by third-parties, any party-related expense would need to be recorded as an in-kind donation.
The mere setting up of their respective websites should have incurred costs. A mission for @swheatonjourno.bsky.social?
13/28
The mere setting up of their respective websites should have incurred costs. A mission for @swheatonjourno.bsky.social?
13/28
November 18, 2025 at 11:26 AM
..they did not receive public funding either. Even shouldered by third-parties, any party-related expense would need to be recorded as an in-kind donation.
The mere setting up of their respective websites should have incurred costs. A mission for @swheatonjourno.bsky.social?
13/28
The mere setting up of their respective websites should have incurred costs. A mission for @swheatonjourno.bsky.social?
13/28
The EPP rakes in close to €1.5M, and the PES over €1.1M -- both only from member party contributions.
Then comes a mid-group taking in around half a million, comprising the ECR (548k), the EGP (527k), and ALDE (459k).
Finally, a low-earning group gathers those receiving €200k and under,..
11/28
Then comes a mid-group taking in around half a million, comprising the ECR (548k), the EGP (527k), and ALDE (459k).
Finally, a low-earning group gathers those receiving €200k and under,..
11/28
November 18, 2025 at 11:26 AM
The EPP rakes in close to €1.5M, and the PES over €1.1M -- both only from member party contributions.
Then comes a mid-group taking in around half a million, comprising the ECR (548k), the EGP (527k), and ALDE (459k).
Finally, a low-earning group gathers those receiving €200k and under,..
11/28
Then comes a mid-group taking in around half a million, comprising the ECR (548k), the EGP (527k), and ALDE (459k).
Finally, a low-earning group gathers those receiving €200k and under,..
11/28
..continue to operate without relying on donations at all. Despite varying percentages, this split has remained constant over time (see years 2020 to 2023 below).
Likewise, the structure of recipients by amounts remains largely unchanged. The EPP and PES lead the way by a solid margin.
10/28
Likewise, the structure of recipients by amounts remains largely unchanged. The EPP and PES lead the way by a solid margin.
10/28
November 18, 2025 at 11:26 AM
..continue to operate without relying on donations at all. Despite varying percentages, this split has remained constant over time (see years 2020 to 2023 below).
Likewise, the structure of recipients by amounts remains largely unchanged. The EPP and PES lead the way by a solid margin.
10/28
Likewise, the structure of recipients by amounts remains largely unchanged. The EPP and PES lead the way by a solid margin.
10/28
and are therefore heavily funded by taxpayer's money at the national level.
At the level of #europeanparties, the split between parties using and not using donations remains. The ECR, ALDE and the ECPP continue to rely substantially on donations. The others, including the largest two parties,..
9/28
At the level of #europeanparties, the split between parties using and not using donations remains. The ECR, ALDE and the ECPP continue to rely substantially on donations. The others, including the largest two parties,..
9/28
November 18, 2025 at 11:26 AM
and are therefore heavily funded by taxpayer's money at the national level.
At the level of #europeanparties, the split between parties using and not using donations remains. The ECR, ALDE and the ECPP continue to rely substantially on donations. The others, including the largest two parties,..
9/28
At the level of #europeanparties, the split between parties using and not using donations remains. The ECR, ALDE and the ECPP continue to rely substantially on donations. The others, including the largest two parties,..
9/28
Now, let's get to the data. What does it tell us? First of all, that the trends regarding donations and contributions are stable. Their overall amount has been recovering since 2021, with just a slight decrease from '23 from €4.9M to €4.8M.
Reminder: "contributions" come from members,..
6/28
Reminder: "contributions" come from members,..
6/28
November 18, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Now, let's get to the data. What does it tell us? First of all, that the trends regarding donations and contributions are stable. Their overall amount has been recovering since 2021, with just a slight decrease from '23 from €4.9M to €4.8M.
Reminder: "contributions" come from members,..
6/28
Reminder: "contributions" come from members,..
6/28
And it's official, we now have two additional European political foundations! 🎉
#pluralism #europeanparties #eudemocracy @appf-eu.eudemocracy.eu
#pluralism #europeanparties #eudemocracy @appf-eu.eudemocracy.eu
September 30, 2025 at 6:12 PM
And it's official, we now have two additional European political foundations! 🎉
#pluralism #europeanparties #eudemocracy @appf-eu.eudemocracy.eu
#pluralism #europeanparties #eudemocracy @appf-eu.eudemocracy.eu
Update:
❌ Once again, and to no one's actual surprise, our request for public access to documents regarding the public funding of #europeanparties is met with an "exceptional extension" of its time limit. Is 95% of the time that exceptional?
❌ Once again, and to no one's actual surprise, our request for public access to documents regarding the public funding of #europeanparties is met with an "exceptional extension" of its time limit. Is 95% of the time that exceptional?
August 25, 2025 at 7:36 AM
Update:
❌ Once again, and to no one's actual surprise, our request for public access to documents regarding the public funding of #europeanparties is met with an "exceptional extension" of its time limit. Is 95% of the time that exceptional?
❌ Once again, and to no one's actual surprise, our request for public access to documents regarding the public funding of #europeanparties is met with an "exceptional extension" of its time limit. Is 95% of the time that exceptional?
Hey @ec.europa.eu, you know what else stands at the core of democracy? Political parties!
Can we talk about #europeanparties at some point, please?
Can we talk about #europeanparties at some point, please?
August 8, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Hey @ec.europa.eu, you know what else stands at the core of democracy? Political parties!
Can we talk about #europeanparties at some point, please?
Can we talk about #europeanparties at some point, please?
In particular, we have drawn up the proposals below to meaningfully increase transparency on the funding of #europeanparties. If you have not, make sure to check out our Initiative on Transparency for European Party Funding (ITEF)! 👇
edcstiftung.eu/files/EDCS_-...
edcstiftung.eu/files/EDCS_-...
August 1, 2025 at 9:18 AM
In particular, we have drawn up the proposals below to meaningfully increase transparency on the funding of #europeanparties. If you have not, make sure to check out our Initiative on Transparency for European Party Funding (ITEF)! 👇
edcstiftung.eu/files/EDCS_-...
edcstiftung.eu/files/EDCS_-...
Overall, while public funding effectively distributed to #europeanparties remains stable, the long-term trend of the dominant EPP/PES duopoly losing ground to smaller parties continues. Remember that this is pre-2024 elections, after which MEP membership changed a lot.
August 1, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Overall, while public funding effectively distributed to #europeanparties remains stable, the long-term trend of the dominant EPP/PES duopoly losing ground to smaller parties continues. Remember that this is pre-2024 elections, after which MEP membership changed a lot.
In terms of amounts actually perceived, we retain the EPP and PES as the two leading recipients, but the mid-block of #europeanparties spreads much wider (€3-5.7m), including the Patriots dropping out well under €1m.
August 1, 2025 at 9:18 AM
In terms of amounts actually perceived, we retain the EPP and PES as the two leading recipients, but the mid-block of #europeanparties spreads much wider (€3-5.7m), including the Patriots dropping out well under €1m.
What changes is some parties' eventual access to this funding. ALDE/EDP/EGP/EL/ECPP virtually get their entire entitlement. PES/EFA are not too far (92-93%) and both rebound from 2021. At 75%, the ECR is low but operates a massive increase from its previous 40+%. And at 19%, Patriots.eu continues..
August 1, 2025 at 9:18 AM
What changes is some parties' eventual access to this funding. ALDE/EDP/EGP/EL/ECPP virtually get their entire entitlement. PES/EFA are not too far (92-93%) and both rebound from 2021. At 75%, the ECR is low but operates a massive increase from its previous 40+%. And at 19%, Patriots.eu continues..
For 2022, €46m were made available to #europeanparties. The EPP, as the largest party, was entitled to the largest sum, with over €12m. Then came the PES with €10m. Then the ALDE/EGP/Patriots/ECR mid-block with €4-5+m, EL with €2.4m, and the EDP/EFA/ECPP smaller parties with ~€1m.
August 1, 2025 at 9:18 AM
For 2022, €46m were made available to #europeanparties. The EPP, as the largest party, was entitled to the largest sum, with over €12m. Then came the PES with €10m. Then the ALDE/EGP/Patriots/ECR mid-block with €4-5+m, EL with €2.4m, and the EDP/EFA/ECPP smaller parties with ~€1m.
It's that time of the year! The note of the secretary-general of the European Parliament on the final reports on the funding of #europeanparties for 2023 is out!! (minus the redacted part we are working to get). 🇪🇺
Now, what does this tell us about European party funding? Dive in! 🧵👇
Now, what does this tell us about European party funding? Dive in! 🧵👇
August 1, 2025 at 9:18 AM
It's that time of the year! The note of the secretary-general of the European Parliament on the final reports on the funding of #europeanparties for 2023 is out!! (minus the redacted part we are working to get). 🇪🇺
Now, what does this tell us about European party funding? Dive in! 🧵👇
Now, what does this tell us about European party funding? Dive in! 🧵👇
❌ Once again, our request for public access to documents regarding the public funding of #europeanparties is answered with redactions.
✅ Once again, we will keep pushing for the full release of documents regarding the use of European citizens' tax money by their European parties.
✅ Once again, we will keep pushing for the full release of documents regarding the use of European citizens' tax money by their European parties.
July 31, 2025 at 2:32 PM
❌ Once again, our request for public access to documents regarding the public funding of #europeanparties is answered with redactions.
✅ Once again, we will keep pushing for the full release of documents regarding the use of European citizens' tax money by their European parties.
✅ Once again, we will keep pushing for the full release of documents regarding the use of European citizens' tax money by their European parties.
Apparently, six weeks is still not enough to release a document that is drafted, discussed, adopted, and released every year in the same manner and by the same people... Once again, institutions hamper transparency on #europeanparties.
July 10, 2025 at 7:25 AM
Apparently, six weeks is still not enough to release a document that is drafted, discussed, adopted, and released every year in the same manner and by the same people... Once again, institutions hamper transparency on #europeanparties.
Only one single mention of "democracy" in the priorities of Denmark's EU Council Presidency -- only to address foreign interference and really because the Commission's package is called "defence of democracy". No mention of #europeanparties.
www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etud...
www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etud...
July 3, 2025 at 6:54 AM
Only one single mention of "democracy" in the priorities of Denmark's EU Council Presidency -- only to address foreign interference and really because the Commission's package is called "defence of democracy". No mention of #europeanparties.
www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etud...
www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etud...
#europeanparties and foundations receive up to 90-95% of their funding from European taxpayers' pockets -- up to €70 million for 2025 alone.
And yet, the report on this funding is not published. Citizens have to request it themselves, then wait 3 weeks, and then apparently wait yet another 3 weeks.
And yet, the report on this funding is not published. Citizens have to request it themselves, then wait 3 weeks, and then apparently wait yet another 3 weeks.
June 19, 2025 at 9:42 AM
#europeanparties and foundations receive up to 90-95% of their funding from European taxpayers' pockets -- up to €70 million for 2025 alone.
And yet, the report on this funding is not published. Citizens have to request it themselves, then wait 3 weeks, and then apparently wait yet another 3 weeks.
And yet, the report on this funding is not published. Citizens have to request it themselves, then wait 3 weeks, and then apparently wait yet another 3 weeks.
If the European Union wants to act on the global stage as a democracy with moral standing, it cannot be an exception to rules on political transparency. And it needs to do more on the transparency of #europeanparties and of their funding.
Read our policy proposals 👉 eudemocracy.eu/stiftung/fil...
Read our policy proposals 👉 eudemocracy.eu/stiftung/fil...
May 14, 2025 at 10:46 AM
If the European Union wants to act on the global stage as a democracy with moral standing, it cannot be an exception to rules on political transparency. And it needs to do more on the transparency of #europeanparties and of their funding.
Read our policy proposals 👉 eudemocracy.eu/stiftung/fil...
Read our policy proposals 👉 eudemocracy.eu/stiftung/fil...