Access Now Europe
Budget
€1,346,036
EP Access
3
accredited persons
Staff
5
3.1 FTE
EU Grants
None
Mission & Goals
Access Now defends and extends the digital rights of people and communities at risk. By combining direct technical support, strategic advocacy, grassroots grantmaking, and convenings such as RightsCon, we fight for human rights in the digital age.
EU Legislative Interests
Access Now Europe is actively involved in EU initiatives, policies and (legislative/non‑legislative) files impacting digital rights of people and communities at risk, including: - 2021/0106(COD) Artificial Intelligence Act - 2025/0359(COD) Simplification of the implementation of harmonised rules on artificial intelligence (Digital Omnibus on AI) - 2012/0011(COD) Personal data protection: processing and free movement of data (General Data Protection Regulation) - 2025/0360(COD) Simplification of the digital legislative framework (Digital Omnibus) - COM(2025)0148 ProtectEU: a European Internal Security Strategy - 2025/0059(COD) Common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union (Return Regulation) - 2020/0361(COD) Digital Services Act - 2025/2069(INI) Findings and recommendations of the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield - 2016/0295(COD) Control of exports, brokering, technical assistance, transit and transfer of dual-use items - 2021/0381(COD) Transparency and targeting of political advertising - 2022/0277(COD) European Media Freedom Act - 2023/0438(COD) Enhancing police cooperation in relation to the prevention, detection and investigation of migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings; enhancing Europol’s support to preventing and combating such crimes
Interests Represented
Does not represent commercial interests
Member Of
Access Now Europe is a member of European Digital Rights (EDRi).
Organisation Members
As an AISBL in Belgium, we have to have members forming our General Assembly. Our 3 members are natural persons and they are the same persons as the directors of the organisation as part of the Administrative Council, per Belgian association law. The 3 members are: Yvette Alberdingk Thijm (also acting as President); Stefania Kapronczay; and Alejandro Mayoral Banos (also acting as Executive Director).
Additional Information
The contributor "Access Now US" is a separate legal entity registered in the USA. They are an affiliated entity and the relationship between the two entities (Access Now US and Access Now Europe) is governed by a memorandum of understanding. The contributions made by Access Now US to Access Now Europe are executed on the basis of an annual grant agreement between the two entities.
Commissioner Meetings
No recorded meetings with EU commissioners.