![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/europe\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2208026972-1024x683.jpg\")
Flags from the 27 countries of the EU in front of the European Parliament in Brussels in April 2025. | Thierry Monasse\/Getty Images<\/p>\n\u201cThere was little concern from the European Commission or affiliated organizations and think tanks when progressive NGOs in Europe received substantial support from the United States (including via USAID and other programs),\u201d he said. \u201cOnly now, when funding may reach their political opponents, is it being framed as \u2018foreign interference.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Broader cuts<\/p>\n
Zuleeg, the EPC chief, said the non-renewal of the CERV money, which amounts to around \u20ac250,000 per year, would mean the organization cuts back on work related to topics such as democracy and citizens\u2019 participation.<\/p>\n
And while he made a distinction between think tanks, which organize events or commission research, and NGOs, which do the same but tend to advocate for a specific cause, Zuleeg said that the CERV grant cut \u201cdoes also reflect in part, the controversy around funding going to advocacy organizations.\u201d<\/p>\n
Flags from the 27 countries of the EU in front of the European Parliament in Brussels in April 2025. | Thierry Monasse\/Getty Images<\/p>\n
That\u2019s a reference to increased scrutiny from the same right-wing groups, as well as conservative politicians, into Commission cash for NGOs; in 2025, a European Parliament body was set up specifically\u00a0to probe<\/a> NGO funding.<\/p>\n