In a recent opinion piece for POLITICO, Alex Soros, the chair of the left-wing Open Society Foundations (OSF) and son of philanthropist George Soros, clarified that reports suggesting OSF’s departure from Europe are “misleading.”
He emphasized, “We are not leaving. Europe remains of huge strategic importance to the work of OSF.”
The foundation, which began in the 1980s when George Soros initiated projects in Eastern Europe, has witnessed various transformations over the decades.
Reflecting on this journey, Alex Soros noted that given the current European landscape, “our foundation needs to change — just as it did after the fall of the Berlin Wall,” and after the economic crisis of 2008.
One of the significant shifts he highlighted was the strategic importance of Eastern Europe in current geopolitics, stating that “the future of accountable, democratic government in Europe is now being determined not just in Paris and Berlin but also in Warsaw, Kyiv and Prague.”
Although there are plans for OSF to change its modus operandi, which includes “exiting some areas of work” and “reducing our headcount significantly,” Alex Soros underlined that “this isn’t any kind of a retreat.”
He added, “This isn’t about funding levels — it’s about priorities as the focus of funding shifts back to the Continent’s east.”
OSF’s commitment to supporting initiatives in Ukraine remains unwavering.
The younger Soros boasted that their network has contributed “over $250 million since 2014,” aiding Kyiv during Russia’s war.
The foundation’s dedication also extends to countries like Moldova and the Western Balkans.
He said, “EU membership is vital for securing the entire Balkan region’s unity and stability.”
He additionally highlighted their enduring commitment to the Roma, Europe’s largest ethnic minority, stating, “we will continue to support our efforts to secure equal treatment for Europe’s 12 million Roma.”
Another point of emphasis was the Central European University (CEU) which was forced out of Budapest but found a new home in Vienna.
“Over the past three decades, the CEU has delivered accessible high-quality education to thousands of young people — and will continue to do so,” he affirmed.
Reiterating OSF’s commitment to democratic rights, Soros declared, “We will not be abandoning allies who stand up for democratic rights in the face of autocrats and would-be dictators — neither in Europe nor the rest of the world.”
The potential resurgence of MAGA-centric policies in the U.S. also featured in his reflections.
Worrying about its implications for Europe, he expressed, “I believe a MAGA-style Republican victory in next year’s U.S. presidential election could, in the end, be worse for the EU than for the U.S.”
In concluding remarks, drawing from his father’s sentiment, he conveyed, “I regard the EU as one of modern history’s great triumphs.”
He also expressed his hopes that the reconfigured OSF would further help the European project “realize its full promise.”
The Soros’ Open Society Foundations is an official partner of the World Economic Forum (WEF).
