Apr 10th, 2013 6:34 PM UTC
By Eloise Todd
We did it. After months of our hard campaigning, last night European leaders reached a deal that requires oil, gas, mining, and logging companies to publish the payments they make to governments.
Previously, these payments were made in secret, fuelling corruption; but this victory will help promote accountability. Now citizens will be better able to ensure that the money generated in resource-rich countries is used for vital services like schools, roads and hospitals.
This deal is a historic milestone in the fight against corruption and your actions made all the difference.
More than 162 000 petition signatures; more than 8000 postcards and countless handwritten letters and tweets all made sure our voices couldn’t be ignored.

Help us spread the word that change is possible by shouting about this incredible news.
Share this graphic on Facebook, or share our celebratory tweet.
As Bono said, “Europe’s leaders have stepped up and delivered a gamechanging breakthrough tonight. Transparency is one of the best vaccines against corruption, and now citizens the world over will know what their country’s resources are really worth. I’m delighted for the activists that have campaigned so hard for this to happen and applaud the bravery of politicians who stood up to fierce lobbying and got the deal done.”
And it wouldn’t have happened without you. Thank you again.
TAGS: Bono, Corruption, European Union, Natural Resources, Spotlight, Transparency
10/04/2013 at 7:01 pm
We can only hope that this is truly a game changer. I would like to see the same here in the United States.
10/04/2013 at 7:35 pm
It continues to be a step in the right direction. If an individual — or corporation — believes what is being done is “correct”, then there should be no hesitation in making it public. “Let the light in.”
10/04/2013 at 7:39 pm
Waw! You did that all by yourselves? !
-JuliaClark.org
10/04/2013 at 8:33 pm
That is great news! Well done everyone at ONE. Have to keep pushing and protesting for this! X
11/04/2013 at 1:10 am
A great milestone for Europe. I pray this could be adopted in our United States.
11/04/2013 at 8:20 am
Great news!!
11/04/2013 at 8:41 am
Thank You! <3
11/04/2013 at 10:07 am
Thank You
11/04/2013 at 1:01 pm
Big succes, big grat., big thank you. Thank you Bono. We hope that is first step on the our long way for global ban of fracking. Coalition STOP HF (hydr. frack.) Czech republic, a member of new whole world network Frack Free World. We have an idea: U2 – Czech Rep, Prague. This summer. U2 in Prague for FRACK FREE WORLD – support global ban of fracking. We wrote to Mr. Bono, but no chance with contact. May we help us with contact of Bono? Good luck.
11/04/2013 at 1:47 pm
THANK YOU!!!
11/04/2013 at 3:45 pm
Thank you- great news!
11/04/2013 at 3:55 pm
It must be world wide. Read The White Tiger (Adiga) and wonder!
11/04/2013 at 4:07 pm
This is just one small step. Conglomerates need to be broken up and free-market restored on both local and the international levels.
11/04/2013 at 5:32 pm
I am so happy with the news. I believe world will change through small signes of individual indignation.
Congratulations for all of us.
12/04/2013 at 3:35 pm
We always new good will prevail over evil just like light over darkness,hey humans we put electricity to shine at night so that we can see in the dark,this transparency is another light infact its a flare
12/04/2013 at 10:36 pm
I was listening to the radio on my way to Sydney and heard Sir Bob Geldof saying “i got a call from Bono this morning saying ‘we did it’ ” but couldn’t hear what you did until jumping on the One. website where it became clear What a breakthrough!!! Great to hear of this progress in the fight against poverty…