In just one year, the Open Society Foundationscreated by businessman George Sorosinvested US$20.7 million (equivalent to R$106.5 million) in several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that work in the Brazil. The information was published by the newspaper People’s Gazette on Sunday 5th.
The amount is similar to the amount donated by the foundation in 2011, as indicated by a study carried out by the Monte Castelo Institute based on 2022 data released by Open Society. To date, there is no information available about donations for the year 2023.
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The Brazilian Human Rights Fund and the Makarapy Institute were the main organizations benefiting in 2022, each receiving US$1.5 million (approximately R$7.7 million). The Brazilian Human Rights Fund redistributes resources to organizations within Brazil.
Officially, the entity’s mission is “to promote respect for human rights in Brazil, building innovative and sustainable mechanisms that channel resources to strengthen civil society organizations and to develop social justice philanthropy”.
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In 2022, the Brazil Fund transferred R$50.2 million reais to 1,224 different projects. The list includes programs against racism, in favor of the “LGBTQIA+” community and “defense of democracy” groups.
On the other hand, the Makarapy Institute stands out for its partnership with the Landless Rural Workers Movement (MST) and Greenpeace, focusing its activities on traditional communities, indigenous peoples and family farmers.
George Soros’ beneficiaries
The 2022 list of beneficiaries includes 83 entities. Around 45 received more than R$1 million. Among those awarded is Sleeping Giants Brasil, which received US$400,000 (around R$2.05 million) for “general support”. The Marielle Franco Institute was awarded US$60,000 (R$308,000) to “promote racial and gender justice”.
In addition, the Fundação Escola Superior da Defensoria Pública do Estado do Rio de Janeiro will also benefit from US$50,000 (R$257,000) to increase the representation of Afro-Brazilians in the Justice system.
Open Society also demonstrates support for drug legalization and decarceration, reflected in the 2022 beneficiaries. The Black Initiative for a New Drug Policy (INNPD) received US$719 thousand (R$3.7 million), while the Elas Association There are – Incarcerated Women obtained US$207,000 (approximately R$1 million) to support the reform of the Brazilian prison system.
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Four universities, two public and two private, also received “donations” from Soros. The School of Communication at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro received US$340,000 (R$1.7 million) to study “the impact of social networks on Brazilian democracy”.
The State University of Rio de Janeiro, in turn, secured US$150,000 (R$771,000) for its Violence Analysis Laboratory at the State University of Rio de Janeiro.
The survey also includes the Pontifical Catholic University (PUC) of Rio de Janeiro and INSPER. PUC guaranteed US$180,000 (R$925,000), invested in a project to study the influence of authoritarianism in the multilateral system, while INSPER obtained US$200,000 (R$1.03 million) to finance studies on the issue racial.
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To the newspaper People’s Gazette, Giuliano Miotto, president of the Freedom and Justice Institute, highlighted the disproportionate influence of international foundations, especially in progressive causes, and the need for greater transparency in the financing of these organizations. Since 2016, Open Society has allocated R$451 million to Brazil in 565 transfers to 251 organizations.
Wanted by Gazette, when commenting on the donation received, UERJ assured that the resources will be used in an international project that will not affect its independence, highlighting the common practice of seeking private funding for public research. The other benefiting organizations chose not to comment on the matter.
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