In a sweeping cost-cutting measure, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has axed dozens of international aid projects, redirecting US taxpayer dollars away from a variety of initiatives across the globe. This move, led by Elon Musk under the directive of President Donald Trump, has seen the cancellation of funding for programs ranging from education to environmental conservation in several countries.
Among the projects that have lost funding, a $10 million initiative for voluntary medical male circumcision in Mozambique was one of the first to be cut. This was followed by the termination of a $9.7 million grant to UC Berkeley aimed at developing entrepreneurial skills among Cambodian youth. Additionally, $2.3 million intended for bolstering independent media in Cambodia has been withdrawn.
In Europe, the Prague Civil Society Centre was poised to receive $32 million to support civil society groups, but this funding has now been canceled. Similarly, a $40 million program designed to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment has met the same fate, highlighting a shift in US foreign aid priorities.
Further cuts include $14 million previously allocated for improving public procurement in Serbia, and a massive $486 million that was to be distributed among various election and political process strengthening initiatives. This included significant allocations like $22 million for Moldova to foster an inclusive political process and $21 million for boosting voter turnout in India.
In South Asia, Bangladesh’s political landscape was set to receive a $29 million boost, but that funding has been pulled. Nepal, on the other hand, saw the cancellation of $20 million for fiscal federalism and $19 million for biodiversity conservation efforts.
Africa has not been spared either; Liberia’s voter confidence project lost $1.5 million, while Mali’s social cohesion efforts were cut by $14 million. Southern Africa’s push towards more inclusive democracies saw a $2.5 million reduction, reflecting a broader trend of scaling back.
In Asia, $47 million that was meant to improve learning outcomes has been canceled, affecting educational development across the continent. Lastly, a small but targeted $2 million project in Kosovo aimed at developing sustainable recycling models among marginalized communities, including the Roma, Ashkali, and Egypt populations, has also been terminated.
These cancellations come at a time when the US is reportedly reassessing its international spending to focus on domestic needs, with critics arguing that such funds could be better utilized at home. Proponents of the cuts, however, emphasize the need for governmental efficiency and fiscal responsibility, highlighting these decisions as part of a broader strategy to optimize taxpayer expenditure.
The impact of these funding cancellations on the ground in these countries remains to be seen, but they undoubtedly represent a significant shift in US foreign policy and aid distribution.
