CASE is a coalition of non-governmental organisations from across Europe united in recognition of the threat posed to public watchdogs by Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs)
COALITION AGAINST SLAPPS IN EUROPE
We are a coalition of non-governmental organisations from across Europe united in recognition of the threat posed to public watchdogs by SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation).
Pursued by wealthy and powerful litigants, SLAPPs are an abuse of the legal system and a threat to democracy. They attempt to intimidate and silence public watchdogs through lengthy and expensive litigation that drains a target’s resources and chills critical voices.
On behalf of journalists, activists, whistle blowers, rights defenders and other watchdogs targeted by these tactics, we work to expose legal harassment and intimidation, protect the rights of those who speak out, and advocate for comprehensive protective measures and reform.
OUR APPROACH IS THREE-FOLD
Exposing SLAPPs and those who use them
We work to expose the worst SLAPP offenders and their preferred techniques. By exposing SLAPP offenders to public scrutiny and criticism, we aim to deter the use of these abusive practices and fight back against a culture of legal harassment.
Building resilience to SLAPPS
We provide resources to public watchdogs on how to best protect themselves from being targeted by a SLAPP, and on what to do if they are. We connect SLAPP targets to those who can assist, drawing on a wide network of lawyers, NGOs and advocacy organisations to provide legal expertise, campaign assistance and emergency funding where circumstances permit.
Advocating for law reform
We urge policy makers to protect public watchdogs from SLAPP suits and advocate for stronger safeguards in law.
How are we funded
CASE is currently funded by Limelight and the Open Society Foundation (OSF).
CASE received a grant of €200,000 from Limelight in November 2025 which is used for the work of the coalition and will run until November 2027. This includes funding for the coordination and administration of the coalition, monitoring and mapping SLAPPs across Europe, and organising the annual in-person strategy meeting of the coalition, among other things. PILnet is the financial host for the Limelight grant.
CASE received a grant of €258,242 ($300,000) from the OSF beginning in September 2023, which runs until May 2026 (extended from May 2025). This has funded CASE’s operational costs and advocacy work during this time, including making technical assessments of the European Commission’s anti-SLAPP initiative, gathering intel from EU institutions on SLAPPs and organising the European anti-SLAPP conference, among other things. ARTICLE19 is the financial host for the OSF grant.
Previous grants
CASE received their first Limelight grant in 2023, which covered the period from October 2023 until September 2025. This grant was a total of €200,000 which was used to fund the coordination and communication of the coalition, SLAPP case analysis and sign-off, development of national coalitions, campaign materials and the creation of a transposition monitor, among other things. This grant was renewed in November 2025 (see above for details).
In January 2023, CASE was awarded €40,000 by Fondation Charles Léopold Mayer (FPH) for legal work and advocacy on the EU Anti SLAPP Directive.
How are we governed
The Steering Committee (SC) is responsible for securing the governance structures so as to ensure that the coalition’s work is coordinated, strategically aligned, and conducted in an inclusive and transparent manner. The SC includes:
- Nikita Kekana (Co-director, Digital Freedom Fund)
- Jasmijn de Zeeuw (Legal Advisor & Researcher, Free Press Unlimited)
- Daniel Simons (Senior Legal Counsel Strategic Defence, Greenpeace International)
- Martina Turola (Head of Communications & Institutional Fundraising, The Good Lobby)
For more information, please contact CASE’s Steering Committee at: [email protected]