# SOMO

> Dutch non-profit research and network org

**Wikidata**: [Q256150](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q256150)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centre_for_Research_on_Multinational_Corporations)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/somo-q256150

## Summary

SOMO (Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations) is a Dutch non-profit research and network organization founded in 1973 and based in Amsterdam. It operates as a research institute focused on investigating multinational corporations, corporate accountability, trade transparency, and market concentration. The organization has received substantial funding from major foundations, including over $2.6 million from Open Society Foundations between 2018 and 2023.

## Key Facts

- **Founded:** 1973 in the Netherlands
- **Legal Name:** Stichting Onderzoek Multinationale Ondernemingen (SOMO)
- **Organization Type:** Non-profit research institute and non-governmental organization
- **Headquarters:** KNSM-laan 17, 1019 LA, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- **Revenue (2020):** €4,225,550
- **Major Funder:** Open Society Foundations (multiple grants 2018-2023)
- **EU Transparency Register ID:** 967160748894-22
- **Archives:** International Institute of Social History
- **Website:** https://www.somo.nl/ (Dutch and English)

## FAQs

### Q: What does SOMO stand for?
A: SOMO stands for "Stichting Onderzoek Multinationale Ondernemingen," which translates to Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations in English. It is a Dutch non-profit research organization.

### Q: Where is SOMO located?
A: SOMO is headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, specifically at KNSM-laan 17, 1019 LA, on KNSM-eiland.

### Q: Who funds SOMO's research?
A: SOMO has received significant funding from Open Society Foundations, with grants totaling over $2.6 million between 2018 and 2023 for various research initiatives including anti-monopoly research, digital economy issues, corporate accountability, and general operational support.

### Q: What topics does SOMO research?
A: Based on funded projects, SOMO researches multinational corporations, market concentration and monopoly power, digital mergers, corporate accountability, trade investment transparency, tax policies in Europe, pharmaceutical industry practices, debt service initiatives, and bioethics.

## Why It Matters

SOMO plays a significant role in promoting corporate accountability and transparency in an era of increasing market concentration and corporate power. As a research institute focused specifically on multinational corporations, it provides critical analysis and data that supports civil society movements, policy makers, and activists working to counter unchecked corporate influence.

The organization's work addresses several pressing global issues: the growing concentration of market power in digital economies, the "race to the bottom" in European tax policies, transparency in trade investments, and the intersection of corporate practices with human rights. By producing rigorous research on topics like pharmaceutical industry lobbying, international finance institutions' roles in debt initiatives, and digital mergers, SOMO contributes evidence-based analysis to debates that affect democratic governance and economic justice.

Its sustained funding from major foundations like Open Society Foundations (with grants ranging from $20,000 to $600,000 for specific projects) demonstrates recognition of its importance in the global civil society landscape. The organization's establishment of a dedicated research fund to advance education on monopoly power indicates its commitment to building long-term capacity in the anti-monopoly movement.

## Notable For

- **Specialized Focus:** One of the few research organizations specifically dedicated to investigating multinational corporations and their impacts
- **Long-standing Presence:** Established in 1973, giving it over 50 years of experience in corporate accountability research
- **Significant Foundation Support:** Received substantial, multi-year funding from Open Society Foundations, including a $600,000 grant in 2023 to establish an anti-monopoly research fund
- **Multi-issue Approach:** Addresses interconnected issues including digital economy concentration, tax justice, pharmaceutical industry practices, trade transparency, and human rights
- **Archival Partnership:** Research materials archived at the prestigious International Institute of Social History, indicating scholarly recognition

## Body

### Organizational Structure and Classification

SOMO is formally classified as a business, research institute, non-governmental organization, and nonprofit organization. Registered in the Netherlands with KvK Company ID 41223308, it operates from its Amsterdam headquarters on KNSM-laan 17. The organization maintains IATI Organisation ID NL-KVK-41223308 and EU Transparency Register ID 967160748894-22, demonstrating compliance with international transparency standards.

### Historical Background

Founded in 1973, SOMO has operated for over five decades as a research institution focused on multinational corporations. Its archives are preserved at the International Institute of Social History, ensuring long-term scholarly access to its research materials. The organization has established a significant digital presence, with its YouTube channel active since November 16, 2007, and Twitter account since April 27, 2009.

### Research Focus Areas

SOMO's research agenda spans multiple critical areas:

- **Anti-monopoly and Market Concentration:** In 2023, received $600,000 to establish a research fund advancing education on monopoly power and building an anti-monopoly movement
- **Digital Economy:** $474,253 grant in 2023 to develop a global civil society movement countering market power concentration in digital mergers
- **Corporate Accountability:** $350,000 in 2019 to promote transparency and accountability in trade investment and corporate human rights practices
- **Tax Justice:** $80,000 in 2018 to counter the race to the bottom in tax in Europe
- **Pharmaceutical Industry:** $84,752 in 2018 for research on public investment, financialization, and lobby practices in the Netherlands
- **International Finance:** $82,000 in 2020 to research the International Institute for Finance's role in the Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI)

### Financial Profile

In 2020, SOMO reported revenue of €4,225,550. The organization has received consistent financial support from Open Society Foundations:

| Year | Grant Amount | Purpose |
|------|--------------|---------|
| 2023 | $600,000 | Anti-monopoly research fund |
| 2023 | $474,253 | Digital mergers and market power |
| 2022 | $350,000 | General support |
| 2021 | $500,000 | General support |
| 2020 | $190,000 | General support |
| 2020 | $82,000 | IIF/DSSI research |
| 2019 | $350,000 | Trade transparency |
| 2018 | $84,752 | Pharmaceutical industry research |
| 2018 | $80,000 | Tax policy in Europe |
| 2018 | $20,000 | World Congress of Bioethics |

### Digital Presence and Public Engagement

SOMO maintains an active multi-platform digital presence:
- **Website:** somo.nl (Dutch and English)
- **Twitter:** @SOMO (since April 2009)
- **YouTube:** somoamsterdam channel (121,051 views, 573 subscribers, 81 videos as of March 2025)
- **LinkedIn:** somo
- **Facebook:** SOMOamsterdam
- **Mastodon:** somo@mastodon.ngo (since March 2023)
- **Bluesky:** somoamsterdam.bsky.social

As of February 2023, the organization had 9,874 social media followers.

### Geographic and Institutional Context

Coordinates: 52.3773761, 4.9378182 (Amsterdam)

The organization is recognized in major knowledge bases including Wikidata, VIAF (ID: 38145602391601361364), Library of Congress Authority File (ID: no97038723), and maintains Wikipedia entries in Catalan, English, and Dutch. It is listed in the UIA Open Yearbook with organization website ID 1100007307.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lobbyfacts.eu/datacard/stichting-onderzoek-multinationale-ondernemingen?rid=967160748894-22)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. [Source](http://hdl.handle.net/10622/ARCH01398)
4. [Source](https://www.somo.nl)
5. [Open Society Foundations - Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships](https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?grant_id=OR2023-90820)
6. [Open Society Foundations - Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships](https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?grant_id=OR2023-90523)
7. [Open Society Foundations - Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships](https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?grant_id=OR2022-87017)
8. [Open Society Foundations - Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships](https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?grant_id=OR2021-81216)
9. [Open Society Foundations - Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships](https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?grant_id=OR2020-70659)
10. [Open Society Foundations - Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships](https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?grant_id=OR2020-76115)
11. [Open Society Foundations - Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships](https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?grant_id=OR2019-53025)
12. [Open Society Foundations - Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships](https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?grant_id=OR2018-42813)
13. [Open Society Foundations - Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships](https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?grant_id=OR2018-43266)
14. [Open Society Foundations - Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships](https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?grant_id=OR2018-45999)
15. [Open Society Foundations - Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships](https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?grant_id=OR2017-38262)
16. [Open Society Foundations - Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships](https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?grant_id=OR2017-36606)
17. [Open Society Foundations - Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships](https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?grant_id=OR2017-38651)
18. [Open Society Foundations - Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships](https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?grant_id=OR2016-29469)
19. YouTube API
20. [Source](https://iatiregistry.org/publisher/somo)