Stopping funding for USAID projects. What are the positive aspects of the decision?

27 January 21:45

MP and economist Marian Zablotskyi called for the termination of funding for USAID projects. The parliamentarian wrote about this on his Facebook page on January 27, Komersant ukrainskyi reports.

According to him, Ukraine currently has 112 active USAID projects worth $7 billion. However, they have a number of drawbacks. First, according to the politician, they all boil down to endless roundtables and conferences. Secondly, most of these funds remain in the United States as the net profit of private companies implementing these grants.

“Here’s the first vivid example: $297 million for communications for three years. Who from the world of culture knows that we have been allocated the amount of money for filming that would make it possible to make Avatar 3? The Russians allocate exactly the same amount from the state budget for their cinema, and you know that they do not skimp on propaganda,” Zablotsky wrote.

In particular, $297 million was allocated for communications over three years for the following:

  • Support for the creation of a YouTube talk show called “Ebout.”
  • Support for the music band TVORCHI in creating a song and performing at concerts in selected cities of Ukraine.
  • The Zminy NGO, also known as Don’t Take Fake (DTF), is a prominent influencer and supporter of the electronic music scene with a track record of organizing major cultural events, including the first Mirage Camp for electronic musicians. DTF will host an electronic music residency that will bring together creative people to network, collaborate and create new products.
  • Support for the NGO CUKR in organizing a series of cultural events during the summer season in the Dvirik na Kuznechnoi The mural in the Dvirik na Kuznechnoi was created.
  • Support for Film UA in the production of a documentary film called Dough. Research, introductory meetings with the team of TV series creators, a trip to Vienna.
  • Support for Ukrainian producer Tetiana Postavna and media personality Volodymyr Dantes in creating a reality show about the restoration of cultural spaces in frontline settlements and recently liberated areas.
  • Release of the first episode of the CollegeCheck project.
  • Release of the second season of the project “Ukrainian Palaces. Golden Age” project.

“There are dozens of such projects. Maybe someone needs it. But why American taxpayers need it, I don’t quite understand. And why shouldn’t we ask for funds for something that is clearly more necessary?” – asked the parliamentarian.

He also noted that the new head of the U.S. State Department , Marco Rubio, has long wanted to change the situation and implement reforms in this area.

“I remember well the conversations with his team, who suggested that the money should go directly to the countries, and not enrich a few people in the United States under the guise of helping other countries. I had a long discussion with them after an article I published in Forbes on this topic back in 2016. I am very glad that the time has come for change. And I will actively communicate to ensure that the reforms that Marco Rubio dreamed of are realized,” Zablotskyi summarized.

The MP is ready to offer the following solutions to the US State Department:

  • All aid should be spent exclusively in Ukraine through non-profit organizations, and no more than 10% of the project should be spent on foreign consultants;
  • Conferences and roundtables are rare and in exceptional cases, in modest hotels with modest catering, no business class travel;
  • Exceptional transparency of the entire project with public salaries of all participants and all expenses;
  • All services are ordered through truly public tenders;
  • No leftist topics and no propaganda of unclear values or projects with unclear necessity.

What preceded this

The United States suspended funding for all USAID projects in Ukraine for 90 days. IDPs, energy, small businesses, the Ministry of Digital Transformation, and independent media, including Diia and Suspilne, are under attack.

Last year, USAID allocated more than $5 billion to Ukraine, but all programs are currently on hold. At the same time, according to government officials, the White House’s decision will not affect the state budget or the Ministry of Finance’s expenditures.

Ukrainian organizations and local governments are being notified to suspend their activities. In Mykolaiv, dozens of projects have been put on hold, ranging from energy independence to security projects. Ivona Kostyna, co-founder of Veteran Hub, posted on Facebook that the organization was forced to close the Veterans Support Line and the Hub in Vinnytsia. She called on businesses to support the project.

Мандровська Олександра
Editor