Madrid, 10 December 2014 – Online access to information request platforms have huge potential for success but are threatened by a lack of institutional acceptance and financial sustainability, according to conclusions drawn in a report by independent researchers for mySociety, the organisation that created the Alaveteli software which powers AsktheEU.org and TuDerechoaSaber.es.
Access Info welcomes the findings of the report which are particularly relevant to the AsktheEU.org platform, given the European Commission’s new-found resistance to the transparency portal. On 1 April 2014 the Commission implemented a policy to refuse to register requests for access to documents that are not accompanied by a personal postal address.
“The European Commission policy of requiring postal addresses even for requests submitted by email or platforms such as AsktheEU.org, has made it more difficult for people to exercise their fundamental right” commented Pam Bartlett Quintanilla, Campaign Coordinator at Access Info Europe.
The report by mySociety also challenges international donors to ensure solid financial backing to the Alaveteli community in order to increase the capacity for monitoring of and campaigning for transparency via request platforms.
“Platforms such as AsktheEU.org provide a unique public forum for promoting use of the right to information and for defending it when public bodies illegitimately refuse disclosure. For this to be sustainable, long-term funding support is essential,” added Andreas Pavlou, Community Coordinator at Access Info Europe.
You can read the findings of the investigation conducted by Tom Longley and Savita Bailur here:
1. Literature review 
2. Main report, based on qualitative research into FOI sites around the world
3. Critical success factors and recommendations
For more information, please contact:
Pam Bartlett Quintanilla | Access Info Europe
pam@access-info.org +34 913 656 558
Andreas Pavlou | Access Info Europe
andreas@access-info.org +34 913 656 558