EU-Sponsoring

The dubious practice of Corporate Sponsorship of political institutions has to finally come to an end.

What is the problem?

If multinational companies are able to sponsor an EU institution, where does that leave democracy and transparency? This was the concern of foodwatch when it was revealed that Coca-Cola was sponsoring the Romanian Presidency of the EU in the first half of 2019. Corporations and their lobbying armies have a disproportionate influence on decision-makers across Europe, while steps towards greater transparency in lobbying are introduced only very slowly in the European Parliament and the Commission. Recent cases show that this is not a problem of the past: corporate sponsorship of EU Presidencies continues to occur, highlighting a persistent lack of public accountability.

What is the solution?

There needs to be clear and binding rules on Member States to not accept any sort of sponsorship from companies, as voluntary measures have proven insufficient. If goods or services are needed for the EU Presidency, then they should be procured in the transparent procedures for the internal market. In addition there needs to be greater transparency in the lobbying practices of companies, in particular towards the Council and its structures.

What is foodwatch doing?

foodwatch submitted a complaint to the EU Ombudsman on the case of Coca-Cola and the Romanian Presidency in June 2019. One year later the Council has conceded that it has responsibility for the Presidency and that there can be reputational risk for the EU of taking sponsorship. The Ombudsman concluded that the Council of the EU has accepted her recommendation on guidance for the Member States on the issue of sponsorship of the Presidency. She urges the Council to follow-up on the issue without delay. Germany took over the EU Presidency from July 2020 and has committed to keep it free from sponsorship.

However, the battle is not over. The existing sponsorship guidelines remain non-binding, and some Member States continue to oppose any limitations on their ability to accept corporate donations. In 2026, this problem has resurfaced: Cyprus, which currently holds the EU Presidency, has accepted Coca-Cola as a sponsor.

foodwatch has therefore written to the Cypriot Permanent Representation to the EU, calling for the publication of the sponsorship contract and to immediately and publicly cancel the agreement. foodwatch also urges the Council to turn the existing guidelines into binding rules that would prevent corporate sponsorship of EU Presidencies in the future. 

foodwatch will continue to monitor developments closely and to put pressure on EU institutions and Member States until corporate sponsorship of EU institutions is fully banned.