The EU Commission rejects the accusations that she has secreted NGOs – the world

Does the European Commission pay non-governmental organizations to lobby in its benefit? This allegedly derives from the secret contracts in which Velt Am Zontag « had insight. According to these allegations, environmental NGOs were, among other things, campaigns and lawsuits against companies – among them and Germany. It is also claimed that employees in the European Commission have harmonized with activists in the smallest details to influence public, but also politicians, for the goals of the EU climate policy.

The « Velt am Zontag » list states as evidence allegedly a secret contract from 2022. between the European Commission and the NGO Clientearth. In the text, for example, it suggests that this NGO committed to submit a lawsuit against coal-powered thermal power plants – although environmental organizations like Clientearth previously announced.

It is also known that this NGO received 350,000 euros for the preparation of the concept that would encourage the abolition of coal, including cooperation with civil initiatives and protest groups.

EU funds used for other projects?

Despite this, much remains non-transparent and problematic, the CSU MP in the European Parliament of Monika Holmier. It is in the Budget Control Committee, in front of the largest Parliamentary Group, the European People’s Party (EVP). There were analyzed individual contracts, and in doing so, it became clear that some NGOs of EU funds used for radical projects that are not in line with EU values.

« And that in the end consequence means that the EU funds must not be used to undermine the legal state, for example,, for example, that local protests are financed partially, » Holmier said partly.

The EU Auditors’ Court indicates a lack of transparency

For months, a dispute over the way of financing non-governmental organizations are conducted in Brussels. In April, the European Auditimate Court also pointed out insufficient transparency when assigning funds.

However, in its report, there is no indication that the Commission shall assign money exclusively to those ecological organizations supported by its political agenda.

The European Commission rejects charges

The European Commission, meanwhile, announced that there are no secrets of contracts with non-governmental organizations.

In the press release, the Commission claims « that it is very transparent when it comes to the allocation of funds EU funds – including the names of recipients and amounts – the public is available on the Commission’s financial transparency system.

In the press release, the Commission points out that its services received instructions that they do not approve the work programs proposed by the NGOs, if they contain specific activities aimed against institutions or their representatives.

At the same time, the European Commission in May announced significantly tighten the rules for financing NGOs. In the future, agreements may no longer be allowed to be interpreted as supporting lobbying for certain political contents in the Commissioner or Members of the European Parliament. Non-governmental organizations should also provide the possibility of monitoring the flows of funds and provide their financier in the European transparency register.

Member of the Green: « The European Commission finances the Living, Dynamic Civil Sphere »

It is good, but of course it must be valid for anyone who receives funds from the EU budget, considered the Green in the European Parliament Danijel Frojnd. He adds that it is not true that the money of European taxpayers are used to lobby in favor of the Commission:

« It is true that the European Commission is funded by a living, dynamic civil sphere. And the existence of such a civilian sphere is essential in one democracy. In the end, it leads to better debates, and thus better legislation – because all interests are heard in the process. »

Rene Repazi, President of SPD President in the European Parliament, also thinks. He is convinced that non-governmental organizations in Brussels play a very important role:

« It is now such that the industrial lobby is dominant at all levels, and the NGOs are funded to make their own business. That right-wing and conservative parties have a problem that they do not like goals – I can still politically I understand. But to go so far and claims that there is some structural problem – I really can’t accept that. « 

Conservative Campaign in the EP?

Nikolas Ajosa, the director of the EU-Branch of Transparency International, is not the only one that assumes that the Conservatives against NGOs – ahead of the upcoming EU budget negotiations.

And in the European Parliament, many deputies believe that the European People’s Party Parliament (EPP), which also belongs to their new majority, together with the end right fractions, so that in the coming years reduce civil society – especially when it comes to climate protection.