Hungary accuses EU of covertly funding political opposition through NGO grants

Hungary has alleged that the European Union is funnelling tens of millions of euros into politically active non-governmental organisations (NGOs) within the country, effectively supporting the opposition and interfering in sovereign affairs.

The statement was made by Zoltán Kovács, Secretary of State for International Communications and Relations at the Cabinet Office of Hungarian Prime Minister, on his page on social network X, Caliber.Az reports.

According to a newly released analysis, at least €62.4 million in direct EU funding has been allocated to Hungarian NGOs since 2014.

"When it comes to transparency, the European Commission preaches far more than it practices," a Hungarian government official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. "These funds are being distributed through opaque channels, making it nearly impossible to track where the money ultimately ends up."

The figures were extracted from the EU's Funding & Tenders Portal (FTP) and the Financial Transparency System (FTS), platforms that are officially intended to provide clarity on financial allocations. However, inconsistencies in the databases and missing details have raised concerns in Budapest.

"The numbers don't match, and the systems omit critical information about how funds are distributed between organisations," the official added. "This lack of transparency leaves the door open for undisclosed grants and hidden subsidies."

One programme under particular scrutiny is the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) initiative. While officially designed to bolster civil society and promote EU values, Hungarian officials argue that its funding patterns suggest a different agenda.

"In just the past two years, nearly €13 million in CERV funds have gone to NGOs that routinely oppose Hungary’s democratically elected government," said a senior analyst at a Budapest-based think tank. "That figure alone should raise eyebrows."

The Central European University (CEU), which relocated from Hungary to Austria following clashes with the government, has reportedly received more than €50 million from EU grants, largely through research projects. Even excluding CEU, other politically engaged NGOs in Hungary have been awarded €12.2 million over the past decade.

Hungarian officials are also drawing comparisons between CERV and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which has faced scrutiny for using civil society funding as a tool for geopolitical influence.

"USAID's methods are well-documented: indirect payments, ideological grant conditions, and opaque funding structures designed to prop up favoured groups," said a former Hungarian diplomat. "CERV appears to be following a similar pattern."

Brussels, however, has dismissed such concerns. A European Commission spokesperson told reporters that "all EU funding is subject to strict transparency and accountability measures," adding that "CERV is designed to strengthen democracy, not undermine it."

Yet, Hungary remains unconvinced. "Hungarian taxpayers, like citizens across Europe, are being forced to finance a system over which they have no control," the government official said. "Without full transparency, it’s fair to ask whether CERV is becoming Europe’s USAID—or if it already is."

By Aghakazim Guliyev