We are continuing with our series of articles revealing how US funding flows to Slovenian non-governmental organisations. This time, we are focusing on environmental NGOs that receive significant funding from abroad under the guise of “green” policies.
A review of the USAspending website reveals that some Slovenian NGOs working on climate change, sustainable development and energy have received significant funding during the term of the Biden administration.
One such organisation is DOVES, which works to educate and raise awareness on environmental issues, sustainable development and tourism. They have received USD 35,320 from the USA for projects such as “empowering teachers and students within the network of eco-schools in Slovenia”, a project to “systematically increase awareness and education of primary school teachers and students on biodiversity and environmental issues”. In addition to the US funding, they have also received 2,810,851 euros from Slovenian taxpayers.
Another “green” NGO that received a financial injection from the USA is EN Lite, which focuses on providing information on energy, energy production and climate change, and energy-climate literacy. They received USD 32,000 from the USA for “training Slovenian teachers on energy and climate change”, “strengthening the involvement of Slovenian youth in energy and climate decision-making processes”, “organising multidisciplinary discussions and presentations of best practices”, “developing and translating online educational content on energy flexibility and security”. This association also received Slovenian taxpayers’ money, namely, 123,851 euros, according to the web application Erar, for the portrayal of public money spending.
The next association on the list of recipients of foreign funding is Focus, which works in the fields of environmental protection, energy, transport and research.
The problem for them is farmers and transport
Recall that last year, this association prepared a new draft of the proposal to update the National Energy and Climate Plan (NEPN), which foresees a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 37 to 40 percent by 2030 and by at least 55 percent by 2033, but the targets are not sufficient to necessarily limit the increase in global temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius, Focus explained. Sector-specific greenhouse gas reduction targets are also insufficient and inequitable, they said, with the agriculture and transport sectors being particularly problematic.
It is also worth noting that we recently reported that their self-proclaimed “work for the benefit of society” came under scrutiny by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF). A 14-page criminal indictment has been filed against them, alleging misuse of EU funds.
However, this association is one of the NGOs that is also making very good money at the expense of the Slovenian taxpayer, judging by Erar’s data – they have received 1,757,004.40 euros from the taxpayers so far, and by far the largest financial inflows came during the Golob government.
The Association for Ecological and Cultural Activities (Društvo za ekološke in kulturološke dejavnosti) also received funds from the USA, as well as from Slovenia – namely, 608,713 euros. All of these and many other NGOs stand up for the environment and water, but when it really comes to their endangerment, as in the case of the C0 sewerage channel, which runs through a water catchment area, all the NGOs that are otherwise vocal advocates of environmental protection mysteriously retreat.
Sara Kovač
