Mission & programme

The mission of the European Internet Foundation is to help shape public policies responsive to the unique potential and character of Europe's internet revolution. We focus primarily on issues and actions within the framework of the European Union.

We pursue our mission primarily through a continuous programme of live debates. Via open and inclusive dialogue, our practical purpose is to identify:

1) the most important emerging social, economic and political issues for european network society, and

2) public policy options for dealing with them.

The Foundation does not itself take positions on specific issues.

Membership & funding

The European Internet Foundation is led and governed by our Political Members, all of whom are elected Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). We are independent, not-for-profit and non-partisan. Membership in the European Internet Foundation is open to all current MEPs.

The Foundation is financed primarily through the membership fees of our Business and Associate Members. Our membership includes a core of leading European e-companies, and will be expanded to encompass a broad range of interests and actors in the vanguard of internet-driven change across Europe. Our Membership is open on a progressive, non-discriminatory fee basis to any duly-constituted commercial entity or interest group pledging support for our founding principles.

Cooperation, outreach & dialogue

The Foundation invites active cooperation with other political, academic and governmental institutions and networks, including notably the European Commission. Policy dialogue with the United States political community is assured through the Transatlantic Policy Network (TPN) . Through this EIF website and via web-based and traditional media, we also correspond more broadly with Europe's citizens on important network society issues and policy developments.