Why we have set up a FOI litigation fund

We are very proud to launch the first German litigation fund for freedom of information (FOI) today, called Transparenzklagen.de („Transparency Lawsuits“). Together with our partners from the Society for Civil Rights, we want to help people claim their right to information in Germany more effectively.

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We are very proud to launch the first German litigation fund for freedom of information (FOI) today, called Transparenzklagen.de ("Transparency Lawsuits"). Together with our partners from the Society for Civil Rights, we want to help people claim their right to information in Germany more effectively.

Last year, about 10.000 freedom of information requests were filed to German federal authorities. Yet only 11 FOI lawsuits againts federal authorities were successful. We will change that.

The litigation fund is open to anyone with a case already denied by German authorities and of strategical importance. Users of the FOI platform FragDenStaat can apply directly on the website. The interface connects the documents obtained by the authorities with the litigation fund.

The fund is financed mainly by donations. Initial funding for the initiative comes from the bridge Foundation.

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Ask Parliament! - How to free scientific reports in large numbers

On February 18th 2016 German Parliament (“Bundestag”) announced the release of thousands of previously non-public reports conducted by the Research Section of Parliament in reaction to our campaign FragDenBundestag! (“Ask Parliament!”).

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