Polish NGOs count on gov't funding after US aid cuts
Facing a sudden funding shortfall after US aid suspension, Polish non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are looking to the government for financial support, the Prime Minister's Office told PAP on Monday.
On his first day in office, the new US president, Donald Trump, suspended international aid programs for 90 days. He explained that the move was prompted by adjusting his cabinet politics to implement the 'America First' programme.
Polish NGOs who were deprived of the aid at the end of January called on the government to step in and support the third sector.
"We are receiving signals from NGOs about the difficulties they are experiencing due to the unexpected decision of the US government," the Prime Minister's Office wrote in a statement. "We are in talks with NGO representatives and other ministries. We understand the difficult situation of non-governmental organisations, we are aware of its importance."
The suspension affected various initiatives promoting democracy, media freedom, the rule of law, equality and human rights. The Polish Migration Forum, the left-wing Krytyka Polityczna magazine, the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights and the Campaign Against Homophobia are among the Polish entities that lost the support.
The Prime Minister's Office informed PAP that the number of affected NGOs is not yet known but that the 2025 budget includes an additional allocation of PLN 70 million (EUR 17 mln) for NGO funding. (PAP)
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