Freedom at Risk: What Funding Cuts Mean to Democracy Worldwide

For a long time, the United States was regarded as a central pillar of global democracy promotion. The Biden administration had pursued the goal of building a community of democracies. That has come to an end with the change of government. The Trump administration is reversing course in foreign policy and has already cut funding for the U.S. development agency USAID and for institutions such as the long-established NGO Freedom House and the U.S. international broadcasters Radio Free Europe and Voice of America. As a result, civil society projects are coming under pressure—particularly in countries such as those in Eastern Europe, where democratic structures are already fragile. What does this mean for democracy movements and civil liberties around the world? And what role must Europe now play?

Hosted by Radio3
Annie Boyajian, President, Freedom House
Mantas Adomenas, Secretary General, Community of Democracies
James Kirchick, Global Reporter, Axel Springer SE
Moderator: Katja Weber, Radio3