For years, the European Commission has been financing non-governmental organizations (NGOs) behind the backs of citizens to push its political interests. This practice, which has come under increasing scrutiny, raises serious questions about transparency in spending public funds, and Brussels’ role in manipulating public opinion in member states by funding pressure groups aligned with its agenda.
In response to these concerns, on Tuesday, February 25th, Hungary demanded access to all information about funding granted to NGOs by the European Commission. The Hungarian Minister for European Affairs requested that EU member states be granted full access to all grant contracts signed with these entities. The request, presented ahead of the General Affairs Council, seeks to shed light on using these funds and prevent their future use for covert political purposes.
Hungary’s demand comes as conservative and center-right MEPs have begun to examine grant contracts awarded to environmental NGOs. These entities have been accused of receiving Commission funds to lobby in favor of the European Green Deal, thus operating as the extended arms of the EU Commission, rather than independent civil society organizations. To address the issue, Hungary has also proposed the establishment of a transparency system that would allow member states and European citizens to review funding documents and independently assess where the funds are going.
The opaque and controversial practices of the Commission have most recently been exposed by an MCC Brussels report that found that the European Commission has been financing a “propaganda machine” through subsidies to progressive NGOs. The report reveals how this funding not only interferes in national political debates within member states but also subverts the principle of institutional neutrality that should govern Brussels.
The report reinforces the arguments of those criticizing the Commission’s lack of transparency. According to the document, there is a direct link between allocated funds and political lobbying campaigns that have favored Commission initiatives without the explicit approval of member states or European citizens.
Despite increasing calls for transparency, the European Commission has been reluctant to provide full details on the funds granted to NGOs. The European Parliament’s Budgetary Control Committee has requested an expanded list of grants awarded in 2023 by seven Commission departments. However, only “limited and selective” access to certain contracts has been granted.
Budapest’s request may open the door for other member states to demand the same level of transparency, including at the national level.
