Answer to a written question – EU funds to environmental lobbying groups to promote the European Green Deal – E-000838/2025(ASW)

The Commission adheres strictly to its transparency obligations. Information about EU fund recipients, including Czech beneficiaries, is published in the Financial Transparency System[1]. The Commission proactively shares the objectives and outcomes of funded projects on the Funding & Tenders Portal[2]. Interest representatives are required to report their lobbying activities and disclose key funding sources, including any contributions exceeding EUR 10 000 and representing more than 10% of their total budget, in their registrations in the Transparency Register[3].

Operating grants under the Programme for the Environment and Climate Action (LIFE) are awarded competitively. Applicants submit proposals that include the description of their work programmes, in areas indicated in the LIFE Regulation[4]. This work programme is annexed to the grant agreement. It may mention, among other applicant’s activities, advocacy activities. The Commission does not prescribe the specific activities in the applicants’ work programmes , nor does it instruct them to support any specific positions .

The Commission has not identified irregularities in LIFE operating grants. Nonetheless, agreements involving activities directed at EU institutions, even if they do not breach the legal framework, may entail reputational risks for the EU. To mitigate these risks, the Commission has issued guidance[5] addressed to all its services, clarifying which activities should not be mandated as a condition for EU financing.

Green Deal legislation has been subject to public consultations, in line with Better Regulation principles[6]. All stakeholders had the opportunity to present their opinion and positions. Additionally, the Commission regularly reviews existing legislation based on Better Regulation principles.

• [1] https://ec.europa.eu/budget/financial-transparency-system/index.html.
• [2]  https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/home .
• [3]  https://transparency-register.europa.eu/index_en.
• [4]  https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/783/oj/eng.
• [5]  https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/common/guidance/guidance-funding-dev-impl-monit-enforce-of-eu-law_en.pdf.
• [6]  https://commission.europa.eu/law/law-making-process/better-regulation_en .