Orbán cabinet acknowledges deceptive tactics for obtaining EU funds
Former Hungarian President Áder János and Agriculture Minister István Nagy recently discussed Hungary’s tactics for securing EU funds for climate adaptation and repurposing them for irrigation in a podcast. As Hungary faces a water crisis with severe flooding and drought, the need for water management is more crucial than ever.
Despite facing challenges in securing EU funding for irrigation projects, Hungary adapted its approach by reframing them as ecological water replenishment systems. This shift in terminology allowed Hungary to access funds from the Environmental and Energy Efficiency Operational Program Plus (Kehop), which was not initially designed for irrigation projects.
However, some critics have raised concerns about the blurring of goals and the potential greenwashing of projects. While projects may be framed as environmentally friendly, their true sustainability and environmental impact remain in question. The loss of EU funding for Hungary’s water management sector due to projects failing EU scrutiny highlights the need for genuine environmental efforts.
The Ministry of Agriculture has yet to respond to inquiries about the podcast remarks and the implications of such tactics on environmental initiatives. It remains to be seen how Hungary will navigate the balance between securing funds for irrigation projects and ensuring genuine sustainability in water management.
