At Brussels Watch, our mission is to expose corruption, unethical lobbying, and covert influence campaigns involving European Union officials, institutions, and foreign agents operating within EU jurisdictions. As an independent watchdog organization, the credibility of our work relies heavily on the transparency, rigor, and integrity of our research methods.
Our methodology is designed to ensure that every report we publish is grounded in facts, cross-verified through multiple sources, and supported by clear documentation. By combining publicly available data, anonymized insider tips, and methodical investigative processes, we are able to identify and reveal questionable lobbying practices, hidden financial trails, and corrupt interactions that would otherwise remain concealed.
This page details the framework we use to conduct our investigations, the kinds of sources we rely on, and the principles we follow to ensure ethical, responsible, and effective research.
One of the most critical pillars of our investigative approach is the systematic analysis of open-source, publicly available information. Brussels Watch monitors and analyzes a wide array of documents, databases, and digital footprints published by official institutions and regulatory bodies.
This includes, but is not limited to:
We use these resources to build profiles of lobbyists, track the movement of money, and connect dots between actors and decisions made within EU bodies. These documents form the evidentiary foundation of our investigations and ensure that our claims can be supported by verifiable facts.
A significant portion of our most impactful investigations begins with a tip-off — often from individuals working inside institutions, lobbying firms, government offices, or civil society organizations who become aware of unethical or corrupt activity.
Brussels Watch encourages whistleblowers and anonymous contributors to share credible information through secure and encrypted channels. We offer complete confidentiality and take extraordinary measures to ensure the protection and anonymity of sources. This includes:
These anonymous contributions can include leaked documents, internal memos, correspondence, unreported lobbying meetings, or financial transactions. While such tips are never accepted at face value, they often provide crucial leads that help guide our research and point us to areas where deeper investigation is warranted.
Every tip is subject to a rigorous validation process before being used in our reports. We cross-reference these tips with publicly available data, expert consultations, and pattern analysis. Only when we achieve a threshold of verification do we integrate this information into our reporting.
Once an issue is identified—whether from open data, anonymous input, or investigative interest—we begin a multi-phase research process that emphasizes accuracy, triangulation, and analytical depth.
The first step involves data gathering and aggregation. This includes sourcing all relevant materials, from official databases to public statements, media reports, company filings, and leaked documents. We use specialized digital tools to harvest data across multiple languages and jurisdictions, ensuring that no critical information is overlooked.
After aggregation, we enter the triangulation phase, where we verify the consistency of information across multiple sources. This may involve:
Our investigations are both horizontal and vertical in scope. Horizontally, we examine networks and relationships between actors (e.g., lobbyists, officials, corporate beneficiaries). Vertically, we trace the flow of influence from lobbying strategy to final policy implementation or funding allocation.
Given the complexity and volume of data involved in modern lobbying and corruption cases, Brussels Watch employs advanced investigative tools to support our work. These include:
These tools not only aid our internal research but also improve how we present findings to the public, policymakers, and media partners. By converting complex evidence into accessible formats, we aim to democratize oversight and empower citizens to engage with EU governance critically.
Our team consists of investigators, analysts, journalists, and legal researchers with a strong grounding in EU institutions and regulatory frameworks. However, we also recognize the value of external expertise. When needed, Brussels Watch consults with specialists in relevant fields such as:
These collaborations help ensure that our interpretations are sound, our context is well-informed, and our conclusions are backed by domain-specific knowledge.
In addition, we frequently engage with academic researchers, investigative journalists, and anti-corruption NGOs who share our commitment to exposing undue influence in European governance. This exchange of information and strategy strengthens the European transparency ecosystem and helps advance collective goals of accountability.
Brussels Watch adheres to strict ethical guidelines in all our work. These principles are not only legal safeguards but moral imperatives given the high-stakes nature of our investigations.
We do not publish unverified allegations. Every claim is either backed by documented evidence or clearly labeled as an allegation under investigation. When allegations are made, we always offer the implicated parties an opportunity to respond, and we include their statements in our reporting where applicable.
We also strive to avoid partisan bias. Corruption and unethical lobbying are not confined to any single ideology, institution, or nationality. Our investigations are guided solely by the public interest and the integrity of EU governance. Brussels Watch is politically independent, and we make our funding sources transparent on our website to avoid any conflict of interest.
In line with the highest standards of source protection, Brussels Watch ensures that whistleblowers and contributors face no risk due to their cooperation with our work. We follow secure digital hygiene protocols and never disclose the identity or identifying details of a confidential source without explicit consent.
All sensitive information is stored in secure, encrypted environments with access restricted to only the necessary team members. Where applicable, we anonymize or redact documents before publication to prevent retaliation against sources or associated parties.
The landscape of lobbying, corruption, and foreign influence in the EU is constantly evolving. Tactics grow more sophisticated, and the entities involved often learn to obscure their tracks more effectively over time.
To keep pace, Brussels Watch is committed to continuous methodological improvement. We review our procedures regularly, benchmark our standards against best practices from peer organizations, and adopt new technologies and techniques as they become available.
We also seek regular feedback from our readers, collaborators, and whistleblower communities. This ensures our methods are not only effective but also aligned with the expectations of the citizens we serve.
We hold others to a high standard of transparency, and we apply the same to ourselves. Wherever possible, our investigations include a detailed “How We Investigated” section to explain how data was collected, what methods were used, and what limitations or gaps exist in the evidence.
We also publish corrections when errors are identified and encourage scrutiny from outside experts and the general public. Brussels Watch views accountability not as a burden but as a necessary condition for trust.
Our methodology reflects our core mission: to expose hidden, unethical, and corrupt dynamics shaping EU policy and governance. It is grounded in facts, informed by expert judgment, and driven by public interest. By combining publicly accessible records, confidential tips, advanced analytics, and rigorous ethical standards, Brussels Watch offers a robust and trustworthy platform for investigative oversight.
As the EU faces growing scrutiny over its democratic resilience, foreign interference, and institutional opacity, the role of independent watchdogs has never been more vital. We are proud to contribute to this effort with a methodology that is as resilient, adaptable, and principled as the mission it serves.
