We are a coalition of over 60 fact-checking organisations working across Europe. We set rigorous standards, promote collaboration, and build trust—member by member, community by community.
We are committed to upholding freedom of expression and promoting the public’s access to fact-checked trustworthy data and information. Our strength lies in our members—independent, locally rooted fact-checking organisations serving their communities with accurate, nonpartisan information.
By empowering fact-checkers with shared tools, cross-border coordination, and ethically managed data, we’re helping build a future where reliable information is a public good—and misinformation has fewer places to thrive.
Together, we build robust responses to complex disinformation threats.
- EFCSN members commit to transparency, independence, and excellence.
- We strengthen the credibility of fact-checking by ensuring all members comply with our Code of Standards.
- We’re building the infrastructure for information integrity from the ground up—with local expertise and global reach.
Our Work
The EFCSN strengthens fact-checking in Europe by upholding rigorous standards, building shared tools, advocating for information integrity, and fostering a connected, collaborative community.
Who supports us
Our work has been supported by the following organisations:
Frequently asked questions
What is the EFCSN?
The European Fact-Checking Standards Network (EFCSN) is an association of fact-checking organisations who commit to the standards of independence, transparency, and journalistic quality outlined in the European Code of Standards for Independent Fact-Checking Organisations.
The Code was written collaboratively in 2022 by more than 45 fact-checking organisations from over 30 European countries.
What does the EFCSN do?
The EFCSN exists to uphold and promote the highest standards of fact-checking, as well as build professional, long-lasting links among the community of independent European fact-checkers.
As a representative voice of Europe’s independent fact-checkers, we also seek to use our collective power to hold governments, internet companies, and others accountable and make their actions against misinformation more transparent, proportionate, and effective.
Who is eligible to join the EFCSN?
Membership is open to fact-checking organisations, or fact-checking units within larger parent organisations, who meet the following criteria:
- They are set up primarily for the purpose of fact-checking
- They focus on one (or more) European countries
- They concentrate on debunking claims that concern the public interest
You can read more about the eligibility criteria in Article 5.2 of the Code.
Why should fact-checking organisations join the EFCSN?
Being a member of the EFCSN comes with numerous benefits. It offers access to a close-knit community where members can exchange knowledge, research, trends and other insights, as well as find opportunities to collaborate. The EFCSN also organises regular training and mentorship opportunities for its members, an annual conference and various forms of support for those facing harassment and other threats. Members can also participate in various projects from the EFCSN, which occasionally include funding for fact-checking work.
In addition, joining the EFCSN is a way to make your voice heard; the network represents its fact-checking members in European policy discussions, as well as in negotiations with online platforms and other actors. Through these discussions we push for changes to make the fight against misinformation more effective, and to ensure that fact-checkers are properly remunerated for their work.
Finally, members who bear the EFCSN badge on their websites are sending a clear signal to the public that their organisation is trustworthy, ethical and transparent in its fact-checking work.
How can organisations apply to join the EFCSN?
Organisations looking to join the EFCSN need to undergo an assessment to verify their compliance with the Code of Standards. Organizations submit an application form through our website that will be evaluated by two external assessors.
The assessors will be experts in the fields of disinformation and/or journalism, as well as in the country or region in which your organisation works. The EFCSN’s Governance Body will review the assessments and make a final decision on membership.
Who is on the Governance Body of the EFCSN and what do they do?
The Governance Body is composed of 11 individuals who were elected by the European fact-checking organisations that are verified members of the EFCSN. This body is tasked with ensuring the EFCSN achieves its mission, which includes making the final decision of the applications of new members.
Who funds the EFCSN?
The writing of the Code and launch of the EFCSN network was made possible through a project funded by the European Commission.
Since this project ended in December 2023, the network is funded by its membership fees and external donations. Individual projects have also have additional funders.
