Media response
ClientEarth responds to attacks on EU support to NGOs
10 June 2025
This week, German media outlet Die Welt am Sonntag published an article that sought to undermine the democratic nature of funding the European Union provides to civil society organisations like ClientEarth.
This line of argument had already been debunked in Politico earlier this year.
Welt am Sonntag’s reporting, echoed by other media outlets, tells an inaccurate story of the nature of NGO funding agreements, and suggests that civil society organisations do not make the decisions on their work. This is the opposite of the truth.
ClientEarth and other non-governmental, non-profit organisations receive funding from the EU’s ‘LIFE’ programme – but the EU Commission does not dictate those work programmes, what the NGOs should deliver, nor what stance they should take on issues they work on.
The LIFE funding that ClientEarth receives for its work programme in Germany provides support for staff and operational costs in its German office. A full list of LIFE grantees, as well as the criteria they must meet, is published on the Commission’s website.
In response to the article, Head of ClientEarth in Germany, Dr. Christiane Gerstetter said:
“ClientEarth is a non-profit, legal organisation that exists to make sure that laws that are designed to protect people’s rights and preserve a safe environment are adhered to. ClientEarth sets its own work agenda and is fortunate to receive funding to bring that work to life. It is recognised as not-for-profit because it serves the public in general, due to its work to protect the environment.
“The European Commission reserves limited funding, 0.006% of its overall expenditure, for NGOs and civil society organisations who work to represent the rights of everyone living in the EU. This 'LIFE' funding helps safeguard the democratic system and ensure that the disproportionate power of corporate lobbies does not capture political decision-making.
“We welcome scrutiny and clarity, and we are committed to transparency – these are vital for democratic work. We do not welcome disinformation.”
The corporate lobby spend is estimated to have risen by a third since 2020 – this year’s conservative estimate was €343 million.
In December 2024, we saw German media report on this same story, framed with the same words: “secret contracts”. This is misleading: the contracts mentioned are funding agreements, which enable official bodies to disburse funds. These contracts are generally not made public, for example when public funds are disbursed to companies. However, ClientEarth, like many other civil society organisations, reports transparently about its sources of funding [1].
The re-release of this story to media is the latest attempt in a series of activities and debates with the objective of destabilising trust in how ClientEarth and other environmental organisations operate. The ultimate aim is to undermine civil society organisations, weaken environmental laws and erode the rule of law across the EU.
The EU itself is party to major global democracy law the Aarhus Convention - which guarantees rights for environmental NGOs to participate in democratic decision-making that affects the environment. The Convention obliges the EU and its Member States to provide the necessary recognition and support to environmental NGOs, and to refrain from penalising, persecuting or harassing such organisations in any way for their involvement in decision-making.
Head of ClientEarth’s Brussels office Anaïs Berthier said:
“Civil society organisations like ours play a crucial role in protecting the environment to ensure people’s fundamental rights. The corporate lobby, meanwhile, is an incredibly well-resourced power in Brussels and its primary interest is to make sure that laws are as convenient as possible for businesses themselves.
“The financial resources NGOs have in comparison to the corporate lobby is almost laughable, but our task is to represent society’s interests and defend their fundamental rights, and we work as hard as we can with what we have to counter voices that call for the opposite. This is an indispensable part of the democratic project. The EU knows that, hence this funding exists at all.
“Framing NGO funding as the biggest problem for democracy today would be ridiculous if it wasn’t so dangerous. It reveals how divorced those driving this narrative are from the crises we face.”
ENDS
[1] Information on ClientEarth’s funding, and our transparency policies, is available here.
Notes to editors:
Further information on LIFE funding and relevant contractual agreements
The ‘documents’ referred to in the news reports are formal funding agreements, which are required to enable the European Commission to legally disburse funds.
NGOs conceive of a programme of work, then complete a funding application. Part of this application process is concluding a set of ‘deliverables’, conceived of and pursued by the NGOs - not imposed as obligations by the Commission at its own initiative.
In short, these agreements lay out the terms of the funding: in them, grant recipients explain how funds will be used and how they will report on their work.
Operating grants for environmental NGOs and civil society organisations under the LIFE Programme amount to €15.6 million per year, or 0.006% of the total EU budget. This tiny fraction of EU spending delivers significant benefits to society by advancing climate action, sustainable farming, nature restoration, and improved air and water quality. Its operating grants to civil society organisations amplify citizen engagement and ensure effective policy implementation, making it a strategic tool for achieving the EU’s environmental and climate goals while strengthening public trust in the European project.
The LIFE programme does not only fund activities by civil society; other organisations, such as companies or local authorities, can also apply for funding for environment-related activities. LIFE overall helps the EU in reaching its environmental objectives.
There is a full list of LIFE grantees, and all relevant information about how this funding works, on the European Commission website. A recent European Court of Auditors examination of these contracts found no misuse of funds.
ClientEarth’s legal status in Germany
ClientEarth gGmbH, the recipient of a life operating grant, is a not-for-profit company established under German law.
The German tax code lists environmental protection as a not-for-profit purpose, which is in the public interest. Because ClientEarth’s activities are aimed at environmental protection, it is recognised as not-for-profit. Public authorities regularly review whether ClientEarth activities continue to serve this purpose.
See ClientEarth’s 2024 submission to the EU’s lobbying register here.
About ClientEarth
ClientEarth is a non-profit organisation that uses the law to create systemic change that protects the Earth for – and with – its inhabitants. We are tackling climate change, protecting nature and stopping pollution, with partners and citizens around the globe. We hold industry and governments to account, and defend everyone’s right to a healthy world. From our entities in Europe, Asia and the USA we shape, implement and enforce the law, to build a future for our planet in which people and nature can thrive together.