About Us

Brussels Watch is an independent, non-partisan watchdog dedicated to strengthening transparency and accountability within the institutions of the European Union. We focus on monitoring Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), lobbying firms, and foreign agents who seek to influence EU legislation and policymaking—often away from public scrutiny. Through open-source intelligence, data-driven research, and investigative reporting, we work to expose hidden networks of influence that shape decisions affecting millions of Europeans.

Our Mission

Our core mission is to ensure that power in Brussels operates in the open. We believe the public has a right to know who is shaping EU policies and on whose behalf. By tracking financial interests, foreign affiliations, and lobbying activity, we help identify potential conflicts of interest, ethical breaches, and signs of external interference in democratic processes.

Brussels Watch is not aligned with any political party, government, or commercial interest. Our only loyalty is to transparency, democratic integrity, and the public good.

What We Do

We conduct ongoing surveillance of:

• MEPs: Tracking financial disclosures, undeclared affiliations, and questionable ties to foreign entities.
  
• Foreign Agents: Identifying individuals and organizations acting on behalf of foreign governments or interests within EU institutions.
  
• Lobbyists and Firms: Analyzing declared lobbying budgets, client affiliations, and influence strategies targeting EU policymakers.
  

Our research outputs include investigative reports, public databases, and profiles that can be accessed and used by journalists, researchers, and civil society actors.

Key Projects and Tools

Brussels Watch maintains and continuously updates several proprietary tools and databases, including:

• MEP Watch: Profiles of European lawmakers from the 2024–2029 legislature, including voting behavior, declared interests, and hidden connections.
  
• Lobbying Firms Database: A comprehensive listing of firms operating within the EU’s lobbying ecosystem, including financial data and client relationships.
  
• Foreign Agents Register: Documentation of suspected or confirmed foreign agents active in or around EU institutions.
  
• Lobbyists Watch: Profiles of high-influence lobbyists pushing agendas on behalf of corporations, non-EU governments, or opaque interest groups.
  

These resources are designed to enhance civic engagement, support accountability journalism, and inform public debate.

Our Investigations

Brussels Watch has published investigations involving over 150 MEPs with suspected links to lobbying operations or foreign governments. Our research has highlighted patterns of influence originating from a range of actors, including state-linked entities from the Gulf region.

All of our investigative work is evidence-based and goes through a strict vetting process before publication. Our team uses cross-verification techniques and consults legal, ethical, and journalistic standards at every stage.

How We Work

We use a multi-step research process that includes:

1. Data Collection: Gathering information from public registries, parliamentary records, media archives, and FOIA requests.
   
2. Analysis and Mapping: Identifying patterns, networks, and anomalies across institutional and personal data.
   
3. Verification: Cross-checking all findings with credible, independent sources.
   
4. Publication: Presenting our findings clearly, responsibly, and free of political or commercial bias.
   

We uphold complete transparency in our own operations, including how we are funded, how we choose stories, and how we protect our sources.

Our Values

Brussels Watch is guided by four foundational principles:

• Independence: Free from corporate, state, or political influence.
  
• Integrity: Committed to rigorous fact-checking and unbiased reporting.
  
• Transparency: Open about our own methodologies and sources.
  
• Public Interest: Oriented toward defending democratic accountability in the EU.
  

Who We Are

Our team is composed of researchers, journalists, legal analysts, and data specialists with expertise in EU governance, international law, and investigative methodologies. Based in Brussels and across Europe, our staff and contributors bring deep institutional knowledge and a shared commitment to democratic oversight.

We also collaborate with external experts, civil society groups, and media organizations that share our mission of transparency and integrity in public life.

Get Involved

We encourage responsible engagement from citizens, whistleblowers, researchers, and media professionals. Whether you’re looking to report misconduct, collaborate on research, or simply learn more about our findings, Brussels Watch provides a trusted platform to act.

To connect with us, visit our Contact Us page or learn more about our policies on the Transparency & Funding page.