EU funds for NGOs: scandal for secret contracts and lobbyism!

EU funds for NGOs: scandal for secret contracts and lobbyism!

Brüssel, Belgien - The EU Commission is criticized after revelations about its financial relationships with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have come to light. According to a report by our-mitteleuropa.com , more than seven billion euros flowed to NGOs between 2021 and 2023, often without clear traceability. In an analysis, the European Court of Auditors criticized the fact that the award of these funds was opaque and that it lacks effective controls to ensure that the funded organizations respected the values ​​of the EU.

In particular, the secret contracts between the EU Commission and various environmental associations raise questions. The report explains that organizations such as Clientearth received millions of euros in complaints, lobby letters and social media campaigns. Among other things, this support is intended to influence public discourse on EU climate policy.

controversy about NGO financing

A secret contract from 2022, which was uncovered by the "Welt am Sonntag", hires Clientearth to complain against coal -fired power plants. In the course of this, the NGO received 350,000 euros to support the coal phase -out. Critics, including CSU European MP Monika Hohlmeier, express concerns that EU funds are used for radical projects. Hohlmeier accused the EU Commission not to use these funds to undermine the rule of law.

other EU MPs are also concerned about the role of NGOs in the political landscape. Markus Pieper, a former CDU member, sees the influence of the EU executive on the legislative as a possible violation of the separation of powers. In the debate about the awarding of NGO funds, an antibiotic-alleged mood has arisen, which is heated by the EPP parliamentary group, including the CDU and CSU.

reactions and demands

The EU Commission rejected the allegations and underlined that its awarding practice was transparent. Information about the recipient of EU funds is open to the public. Nevertheless, the EU authorities announced that the rules for the financial support of NGOs to tighten in order to ensure better traceability of funds. In this context, NGOs should be obliged to specify their status in the EU transparency register.

Daniel Freund, a green European Parliamentarian, called for more transparency for all recipients of EU funds. At the same time, various MPs express the fear of a concerted campaign against NGOs, especially in the context of budget negotiations. René Repasi, Chairman of the SPD Europeans, sees an important counterweight to the industrial lobby in the NGOs.

Despite the allegations, the NGOs defend themselves against the criticism and point out that there is no evidence of regular violations or abuse of their financed activities. The debate about the financing of NGOs and its influence on EU policy will continue intensively in the coming months, whereby the gap between supporters and critics is becoming increasingly clear.