Yasin Gungor
07 February 2025•Update: 07 February 2025
ISTANBUL
The US has granted over $270 million to the East-West Management Institute, an organization partnered with George Soros’ Open Society Foundations, in the last 15 years, according to data from USASpending.gov.
Another $90 million was obligated to the institution over several contracts, according to the data.
The revelation comes amid growing scrutiny of US aid to contentious institutions and President Donald Trump’s recent freeze on USAID’s budget.
The institute describes its mission as "strengthening democratic societies by fostering collaboration between governments, civil society, and the private sect or to build transparent and accountable institutions."
According to its reports, its funding primarily comes from USAID and the US Department of State. Programs include judicial reform, legal aid, and rule of law initiatives in countries like Albania, Armenia, Cambodia, and Georgia, as well as civil society training in nations such as Kyrgyzstan and Uganda.
The Anti-Corruption Action Centre, another Soros-backed entity, also lists USAID as its largest donor, providing 20.7% of its funding.
The funding has drawn backlash, with critics accusing the USAID of acting as a “personal piggy bank” for Soros, who is known for his role in the collapse of the Eastern Bloc and alleged interference in domestic affairs. “He didn’t spend his own money to destroy the American justice system. He used ours,” one social media user commented.
On Jan. 20, the White House announced a 90-day freeze on USAID’s budget, citing misaligned priorities with Trump’s “America First” policy.
A White House statement asserted that USAID’s initiatives “do not align with American interests” and sometimes “destabilize world peace.”
The move has sparked concerns among global aid organizations reliant on US support.
