Lack of transparency in subsidies to NGOs

24.6.2013

Question for written answer E-007429-13
to the Commission
Rule 117
Philip Claeys (NI)

The organisation NGO Watch recently issued a critical report entitled ‘Lack of Due Diligence and Transparency in European Union Funding for Radical NGOs’, concerning the way in which the EU grants subsidies to NGOs.

NGO Watch’s analysis of the situation uses the example of the Coalition of Women for Peace (CWP), which is also subsidised under the Partnership for Peace and the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights.

There are serious doubts as to whether the activities of CWP tally with its official objectives. In practice CWP campaigns for sanctions and boycotts against Israel, and there are many indications that it collaborates with all kind of violent groups.

Is the Commission aware of the accusations by NGO Watch against CWP? Is the Commission considering cancelling or reducing the subsidies to this organisation? If not, why not?

Why are the (full) evaluation reports on subsidised NGOs not published, so that taxpayers and other stakeholders can have the opportunity to know how their money is being spent?

OJ C 55 E, 26/02/2014