This week, EED’s Executive Director Jerzy Pomianowski launched EED's 2024 Annual Report in an exchange with the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the European Parliament.
David McAllister, Chair of the AFET Committee and Chair of EED’s Board of Governors welcomed Mr. Pomianowski to the Parliament, noting that this was a good opportunity to reflect on the state of democracy in the European Neighbourhood and beyond, and underlying EED's crucial role.
Pomianowski began his address by relating how EED’s work in democracy support enables societies across the European Neighbourhood and beyond to address their basic needs: security, freedom, and democracy.
He noted that EED has been providing democracy support to civil society and independent media actors within the EU Neighbourhood and beyond since 2013. Over this period, EED has provided almost €250,000 million in grant support to nearly 3,000 initiatives.
Commenting on the consequences of the US decision to suspend foreign aid, Pomianowski stated the most immediate casualty of this suspension is trust between the West and its closest collaborators. “It takes years to build up trust. It takes a moment to lose it,” he said.
Pomianowksi highlighted that this suspension of funding has emboldened anti-democratic narratives peddled by corrupt and authoritarian leaders around the world, and has left a vacuum, that risks being filled by other more nefarious states and organisations. He warned the current gap is not just a budgetary one; it is also a value gap. A new world order based on strength rather than rules is bound to bring more instability.
However, Pomianowski proposed that the EU can address this value gap by bolstering democracy support in its neighbourhood. “Europe is safer when our neighbours have accountable governments, rule-based processes, citizen participation, independent judiciary, genuinely democratic elections and freedom of press and expression,” he said.
Noting that democracy support is embedded in the EU’s DNA, Pomianowski stated that democracy support is far more than a moral imperative; it is a way for Europe to further its own interests. “Democracy needs to be embedded in all EU policies – for it serves the EU’s core agenda: security, economic development, migration, climate change,” he said.
Pomianowski noted the key role that Ukraine's civil society is playing as an engine for democratic reform and EU integration, and as a vital watchdog. EED has provided €2m in emergency grants over the past six weeks, with a focus on regional media, who are particularly affected by the cut in US funding.
Quoting Belarusian opposition leader, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya at the European Parliament, who stated “Every Euro spent on truth and resistance is a shield against the spread of tyranny," Pomianowski emphasised the importance of continuing to fund the Belarusian opposition movement, civil society and independent media, who now face a cut of up to 50 percent in their funding.
He also urged the EU to step up support to Moldovan democracy actors during this crucial pre-election period, noting their vital role in supporting the country's socio-economic and fundamental roles, that are key to the accession process.
Pomianowski stated that EED has tripled its support to Georgian democracy activists in recent years, and he stated that Europe must continue to support the people of Georgia as its government follows an anti-European autocratic path. Protests have now continued for over 100 days, as new legislation is further restricting the activities of civil society and media organisations.
He noted that protesters in Serbia, which has seen the biggest protests in over 25 years, are focusing on the precises issues that are preventing Serbia from progressing in EU Enlargement: independence of institutions, elimination of endemic corruption, and a free media.
In Syria, he noted that EED independent media partners are providing verified information, vital in the storm of disinformation and hate speech, citing EED’s partner Syrians for Truth and Justice that has launched a campaign called “We all Document” for citizens to share data of human rights violations from across the entire country.
Pomianowski concluded his intervention by highlighting the transformative impact of democracy support globally. “Well-designed and well-delivered democracy support reduces long-term security risks. If we are to defend Europe, by arming our armies – it would also be wise to reduce long-term risks,” he said, calling on lawmakers to ensure that democracy and democracy support remain at the core of the European policy agenda.
Several MEPs intervened supporting EED’s work.
Michael Gahler MEP (EPP) inquired if EED has requested a step up in its financing and support in the face of the US foreign aid suspension.
Sebastian Tynkkynen MEP (ECR) called for more vigorous support to democratic actors on the ground in autocratic countries.
Bernard Guetta MEP (Renew) praised EED’s work and noted that the battle of ideas is just as important as the battle of arms, and it costs much less.
Sergei Lagodinsky MEP (Greens/EFA) stated that EED is an important instrument of EU soft power, enabling the EU to support democracy across the EU Neighbourhood. He noted the particular importance of supporting grassroots media.
This 2024 Annual report provides a snapshot of the work our partners throughout the European Neighbourhood and beyond are doing to support democracy in their different contexts: in anti-corruption, independent media, civic activism, human rights activism, women's empowerment, LGBTQI+ rights, youth and cultural activities. It includes Special Sections focused on the elections and referendum in Moldova and the parliamentary elections in Georgia.
