In a move set to redefine the European Union’s relationship with civil society organisations, French MEP François-Xavier Bellamy announced a breakthrough in his long-running campaign for stricter controls on NGO financing.
Bellamy took to social media to declare:
We have finally secured the establishment of parliamentary oversight on NGO funding, despite significant opposition. This is a decisive step in the fight against interference that can occur through this channel, such as Islamist infiltration or that of foreign countries, a critical security issue for our democracies.
The announcement follows intense political manoeuvring within the European Parliament, where three national-oriented political groups – the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), Patriots for Europe, and Europe of Sovereign Nations – succeeded in establishing an investigative inquiry committee into NGO financing by the European Commission.
This development occurs against the backdrop of recent media allegations that the EU executive had secretly paid environmental NGOs up to €700,000 to promote the bloc’s climate policy, claims the Commission has vehemently denied.
Institutional clash over transparency
The move towards parliamentary oversight had previously been voted down in April when a parliamentary committee rejected amendments from national-oriented lawmakers seeking to incorporate sharp criticism of EU funding for non-governmental organisations into the discharge of the bloc’s 2023 budget. At that time, the committee rejected a joint proposal by Fidesz and France’s Rassemblement National to condemn what they termed an “enormous EU-NGO propaganda complex.”
The newly established committee will specifically examine programmes like the LIFE operating grants, part of the EU’s €5.4 billion environmental initiative, of which approximately €15.6 million supports environmental NGOs through operating grants.
While individual organisations may receive up to €700,000 annually, the Commission maintains these grants are awarded through open calls with clear eligibility criteria and evaluated by independent agencies like the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA).
Bellamy, who serves as Vice-Chair of the European People’s Party (EPP) Group in the European Parliament and executive vice president of France’s Les Républicains, has positioned himself as a leading voice questioning the integrity of EU funding mechanisms.
His reference to “Islamist infiltration” and “foreign interference” echoes growing concerns about foreign influence operations, coinciding with the UK’s upcoming implementation of its Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS) in July 2025, which specifically targets political activities undertaken on behalf of third countries.
Bellamy’s hardline stance on cultural issues is well-documented, including his opposition to same-sex marriage and abortion rights. His recent alignment with other factions on security matters signals a strategic pivot towards national sovereignty and security concerns that resonate with his political base.
As the newly established parliamentary committee begins its work, its findings could significantly impact the upcoming budget negotiations and reshape the landscape of EU civil society funding for years to come.
