ECSO co-ordinates activities of European organisations and individuals that aim at critically investigating pseudo-scientific statements and claims regarding observations of paranormal phenomena, and to make the results of its investigations know to the broad public. It continues the series of European skeptical congresses established earlier and supports a biannual congress and a symposium every other year.

Our goals as formulated in its Charter (accepted September 25, 1994) are:

1. To protect the public from the promulgation of claims and therapies which have not been subjected to critical testing and thus might pose a danger to them.
2. To investigate by means of controlled tests and experiments such extraordinary claims which are on the fringe of, or contradict current scientific knowledge. In particular this applies to phenomena, commonly identified as ‘paranormal’ or ‘pseudo-scientific’. However, no claims, explanations or theories will be rejected in advance of objective evaluation.
3. To promote public policy based on good practice in science and medicine.

The European Council of Skeptical Organisations (ECSO) was founded on September 25, 1994 in Oostende, Belgium, during the 6th annual congress of European skeptical organisations. It started functioning on January 1, 1995. Currently, fifteen organisations are members of ECSO.