February 2025.
As part of the program Regional Initiative for combating disinformation “Western Balkans Combatting disinformation Center: Exposing malicious influences through fact-checking and Analytical Journalism“, we present you a new analysis of fake news and disinformation narratives.
Exposed: They received millions from USAID to organize political protests in Serbia
In the past few months, we have witnessed pervasive narratives about a so-called “colored revolution” allegedly taking place in Serbia, which, according to pro-regime media, has the support of foreign actors. The persistence of these media outlets in spreading false information about the supposed funding of student protests from abroad, particularly from the West, has become evident. What is especially notable is that these narratives have become even louder after the suspension of USAID funding in Serbia. The media took this opportunity to further amplify theories suggesting that civil society in Serbia was entirely dependent on USAID’s financial resources and that these organizations supposedly implemented policies aligned with the interests of the Western powers that funded them.
Domestic media outlets such as Informer, B92, Alo, and Novosti intensified their campaign and began to focus on specific non-governmental organizations that had received funding from USAID. One of the clearest examples of this media strategy was a headline on the B92 portal titled, “Exposed: They Received Millions from USAID to Organize Political Protests in Serbia”, directly targeting the Trag Foundation. This narrative was later supported by the Alo portal, which added the claim that “The Trag Foundation, along with the organization CRTA, is one of the main financiers of the student protests.” However, none of these media outlets provided concrete evidence to support the seriousness of their accusations.
According to claims by the B92 portal, the Trag Foundation received at least $5,485,000 in grants from USAID, and these funds, as stated, were used for attempts to destabilize the political scene in Serbia. According to available information, the funding was directed towards organizing protests, inciting social unrest, and exerting pressure on state institutions, all in line with the strategies of color revolutions, such as those that occurred in Ukraine, Georgia, and other countries. It is unclear which source the B92 portal used to present these claims. It can be concluded that pro-regime media use every piece of news to spread disinformation narratives about a color revolution in Serbia, without any concrete evidence.
The portal reports that numerous pieces of evidence have appeared on social media regarding the direct involvement of the Trag Foundation in organizing protests and blockades in Serbia. “These claims are further supported by posts showing how funds were allocated to activities that align with methods used to overthrow governments in other countries,” states B92, although it is not specified which post exactly is being referred to, nor on which social media platform these pieces of information were published. Although social media has become an important source of information today, traditional media have a responsibility to carefully verify information that spreads on social networks at an incredible speed. Instead, domestic media in Serbia often broadcast numerous news items, placing more emphasis on quantity than on verifying and ensuring the accuracy of the information.
The Alo portal states, “documents and analyses show that it is precisely through such financial flows that the undermining of state institutions was planned.” However, what this portal does not mention is that USAID actually financed those very same state institutions. As reported by Radio Free Europe, “The hypocrisy of the Serbian authorities is highlighted by the fact that USAID provided $1.2 billion for the implementation of various projects, including those involving state institutions. Little has been done in Serbia without USAID’s support.” The list includes projects aimed at economic development, entrepreneurship, combating corruption, improving the healthcare system, supporting media freedom, strengthening the rule of law, and enhancing the ability of state institutions to serve citizens.
Pro-regime media always apply double standards: while USAID funding for state institutions is acceptable, donations to non-governmental organizations become a subject of condemnation. Such bias further supports the deeply rooted narrative that seeks to undermine trust in civil society, while simultaneously ignoring that many of these projects are actually aimed at addressing key societal needs.
Author: Nataša Stanojević
