USAID in the EU: this is not development assistance, it is ideological warfare

For years, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) has quietly funnelled millions into European Union countries under the pretext of promoting democracy, civil society, and institutional development. But in the EU this “aid” has been nothing more than a vehicle that undermines national sovereignty, fuels political activism, and interferes in democratic institutions.

With vast sums directed toward NGOs, media outlets and advocacy groups that promote radical social policies, USAID’s presence in the EU is a financial and political scandal. This is no development assistance. It is foreign-backed ideological warfare.

So why Is USAID operating in the EU? Originally designed to assist struggling nations, USAID has extended its reach into EU member states, some of the wealthiest and most politically stable countries in the world. Its official rationale is to “strengthen democracy”. In reality, USAID funded organisations that oppose conservative governments, promote progressive policies and undermine national traditions and identities.

This pattern is most evident in Eastern Europe, where Washington and Brussels have long sought to weaken national-conservative leaders and replace them with globalist-friendly elites. But USAID’s reach extends further, with troubling financial footprints in Greece, Spain, and even Germany and the Netherlands.

A closer look at USAID’s allocations reveals that its money overwhelmingly supports particular ideological causes and agendas. These are:

1. Media manipulation and political interference

Funding of “independent journalism” is a euphemism for subsidising partisan media that attack conservative governments and promote progressive narratives. In Hungary and Poland, USAID-backed outlets have consistently worked to discredit nationalist policies, echoing Brussels’ demands for “democratic reforms.”

Similarly, in Greece, USAID has provided funding to media projects that align with the globalist agenda. Reports indicate that grants have been awarded to journalists who push narratives dismissing concerns about uncontrolled migration, economic hardship and EU overreach. The result is a one-sided media landscape where foreign-funded voices drown out genuine national discourse.

2. Gender ideology and social engineering

USAID has played a direct role in promoting gender ideology across Europe. In Greece, USAID-backed initiatives have supported LGBTQ+ advocacy groups pushing for legal changes — and achieving them. While presented as human rights advancements, these policies often bypass democratic debate and impose radical social transformations without public consent.

The same pattern exists in Romania, Bulgaria, and Serbia, where USAID money has funded educational programs that redesign gender roles and family structures. Such interventions not only disregard local cultural traditions but also provoke public resistance, further polarising societies.

3. NGOs and the undermining of national sovereignty

NGOs funded by USAID operate as political pressure groups. In Hungary and Poland, USAID-supported entities have actively campaigned against conservative governments, organising protests and legal challenges under the pretext of “strengthening democracy.”

In Greece, USAID has financed NGOs involved in migration policy, advocating for relaxed border controls and more lenient asylum policies, aligning with Brussels’ open-border ideology rather than the concerns of Greek citizens. Such activities undermine Greek sovereignty, forcing policies that aggravate economic and social instability.

4. Climate activism and the Green Agenda 

USAID has paid millions to support climate activism groups in Germany and the Netherlands. These funds have been directed toward NGOs and research institutions advocating for aggressive carbon reduction targets, green energy transitions and policies that harm traditional industries.

In Germany, USAID-backed groups have lobbied for stricter emissions regulations and the accelerated shutdown of coal and nuclear power plants. Similarly, in the Netherlands, USAID has funded organizations that promote forced reductions in livestock farming and land expropriations, sparking mass protests from Dutch farmers.

In a nutshell, US taxpayers have been funding ideological projects in Europe. This may be a financial scandal in the US, but in Europe it is primarily a scandal of foreign interference. As USAID’s activities in the EU come under increased scrutiny, Europeans must reassess their tolerance to such interventions.

The Hungarian government has already introduced laws requiring foreign-backed NGOs to disclose their funding sources, a move condemned by the EU but necessary to ensure transparency. Similar measures are needed across Europe to expose the extent of USAID’s influence and protect national sovereignty.

For years, Washington’s progressive hardliners have tried to reshape European societies according to their ideological preferences. In all, this is a scandal of overspending, political manipulation, and democratic subversion. If Europe does not take a stand now, it risks allowing its democratic processes to be hijacked by foreign interests.

It is time for both Brussels and national governments to expose USAID’s interference. Europeans have a right to know the names of those who have been working for the Yankee dollar while eroding national identity, distorting political discourse and overriding the democratic will of the people.