Our research standard
Freedom Fund seeks to inform public understanding rather than support or oppose a political party, candidate, government or electoral outcome. Research summaries distinguish documented facts, official findings, attributed allegations, authors’ analysis and questions that remain unresolved.
How to read this library
A complaint or referral is not a finding of guilt. An investigation is not a conviction. Audit concerns do not by themselves establish criminal conduct. Where a matter is disputed, the website identifies that status. Partner and colleague publications are described as their work and are not automatically adopted as Freedom Fund’s institutional conclusions.
Selected research and public-interest work
Internet Voting and Election Transparency
Research examining Estonia’s internet-voting framework, including legal clarity, vote secrecy, coercion risks in unsupervised voting, auditing, verifiability, independent oversight and complaint procedures.
Poland’s 2025 Presidential Election
A publication produced by colleagues at the Lawyers for Poland Association examining election administration, campaign finance, institutional independence, media and social-media questions, election protests and judicial review.
Defence Procurement and Public Accountability
Public-interest research reviewing reported procurement and audit concerns involving ammunition intended for Ukraine, with attention to supplier selection, due diligence, advance payments, documentation, contract performance and financial controls.
EU Financial Interests & Defence Procurement Referral
A reasonable-suspicion referral concerning questions arising from Estonian defence procurement reportedly linked to European Peace Facility funding, prepared for review by competent European anti-fraud and prosecutorial authorities.
Public Records Research on U.S. Funding in Europe
A Freedom of Information Act initiative seeking records concerning U.S. government funding involving NGOs, media and civil-society programs in Europe, including records relevant to transparency and election-related activity.
Research overviews
Estonia: Internet Voting and Election Transparency
This work examines legal, technical and institutional questions associated with Estonia’s internet-voting system. Subjects include the governing legal framework, voter secrecy, safeguards against coercion, system auditing, individual and universal verifiability, access for independent observers, institutional responsibilities and legal remedies.
Issues examined
Legal clarity; voter independence; verification and auditing; election technology; independent oversight; complaint procedures; and public confidence in electronic election administration.
Poland: 2025 Presidential Election
This partner publication, produced by the Lawyers for Poland Association, reviews legal and institutional controversies surrounding Poland’s 2025 presidential election. Topics include electoral administration, political financing, campaign events, public institutions, media and social-media activity, voting procedures, election protests and judicial review.
Issues examined
Election law; administration of the electoral process; campaign environment; political finance; institutional independence; media and online communications; election disputes; and judicial procedures.
Estonia: Defence Procurement and Public Accountability
This research examines publicly reported questions involving defence procurement connected with ammunition intended for Ukraine. It reviews supplier selection, due diligence, contract documentation, advance payments, delivery and performance disputes, financial controls and institutional oversight.
Issues examined
Procurement procedures; financial safeguards; supplier due diligence; contract and payment records; delivery verification; public auditing; and the responsibilities of relevant institutions.
EU Financial Interests & Defence Procurement Referral
Freedom Fund prepared a public-interest referral for consideration by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and/or the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO). The referral compiled public information, official audit material, media reporting and open-source company information concerning procurement reportedly connected to European Peace Facility funding.
Purpose of the referral
The purpose was to request independent verification of relevant contracts, payments, supplier due diligence, delivery documentation, financial controls and potential exposure of EU financial interests. It also requested that competent authorities determine whether further investigative, administrative, recovery or prosecutorial action was warranted.
Public Records Research: U.S. Funding in Europe
A Freedom of Information Act initiative sought records concerning U.S. government funding involving NGOs, media organizations, civil-society organizations and related programs in Europe. The research was designed to establish a clearer factual record concerning recipients, program purposes, funding conditions and any intersection with election-related activity.
Method and evidence
Public reporting should explain its scope, methodology, evidence sources and limitations. Direct observation and official records should be distinguished from verified third-party information, expert analysis, allegations and unresolved claims. Where practicable, significant adverse claims should be checked against authoritative records and relevant responses.
Public-interest purpose
Freedom Fund’s research is intended to help readers understand institutions, procedures and evidence. The organization’s role is to document, analyze and ask questions under neutral standards—not to tell readers which political side to support.