From carpets to pickles: USAID’s surprising grants in Ukraine under fire

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has come under scrutiny for funding a series of unusual projects in Ukraine, with millions of taxpayer dollars allocated to ventures ranging from custom-made carpets to pet collars.

A new investigation by The Federalist, cited by Caliber.Az, reveals that USAID granted nearly $2 million to a Ukrainian designer specializing in custom carpets as part of the Competitive Economy Program (CEP) and business sustainability investment funds. This is just one example of a series of questionable expenditures tied to Ukrainian businesses.

The report, based on findings from US Senator Joni Ernst's team, highlights a wide range of grants, including $114,000 for one furniture company and $91,000 for another. It doesn't stop there: hundreds of thousands of dollars were also spent on seemingly unrelated ventures, such as a $300,000 investment in a "pet tracking app" and an equal amount for a "dog collar manufacturer." Additionally, approximately $109,000 went toward a "pet food packaging" project.

In a bizarre twist, USAID also awarded nearly $1 million to Ukrainian food businesses, including $678,000 to a souvenir cookie and confectionery company, and $319,000 to a meat processing plant. Other oddities include $94,000 for a seasoning manufacturer, $148,000 for a pickle maker, and $255,000 for an organic coffee and tea producer.

Also, grants were given to more niche businesses: a vineyard received $89,000, and a "traditional fruit tea company" secured $104,000.

These projects raise questions about how U.S. taxpayer dollars are being allocated in Ukraine, especially given the broad scope of grants covering everything from luxury carpets to niche food production. Critics argue that such spending undermines the initial goals of international aid and could be better directed toward more pressing needs in both Ukraine and the US.