Pride celebrations across Europe are facing significant funding shortfalls this year, as fears over political backlash from the Trump administration ripple beyond the United States. Organisers say the rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in the U.S. has spooked corporate sponsors worldwide.
According to Context News, Pride events in countries such as Greece, Bulgaria, Estonia, Denmark, and Germany have reported noticeable declines in corporate sponsorships—a downturn that many are attributing to what has been dubbed the “Trump effect.”
In January, President Donald Trump signed an executive order targeting DEI efforts in the U.S. federal government and placing pressure on private businesses to follow suit. Even before taking office for a second term, several major U.S. brands—such as McDonald’s, Walmart, Ford, Harley-Davidson, John Deere, and Lowe’s—announced they would reduce or end their DEI initiatives, likely in response to political pressure from the right.
A report by Gravity Research in April found that 39 per cent of surveyed companies planned to scale back Pride-related engagement in 2025, with many citing concern over potential investigations by the Trump administration.
The corporate retreat has already impacted major U.S. Pride events, including those in New York and San Francisco. Now, similar disinvestment is being felt across Europe.
“This year has been more difficult than usual as many major businesses have chosen to pull back from Pride,” said Benjamin Hansen, chair of Copenhagen Pride.
Matthais Weber, chairperson of the European Pride Business Network, said some companies are growing increasingly cautious due to heightened political polarisation and pressure from far-right movements—many of which are influenced by American “culture wars.”
“We can certainly speak of a ‘Trump effect’ — as part of a global culture war against minority rights,” added Marcel Voges, a board member with Berlin’s Christopher Street Day Pride.
Organisers of the Berlin event reported a €200,000 budget shortfall, while similar financial gaps have been noted by Pride committees in Cologne and Munich. In Athens, sponsorship revenue dropped by 30 per cent, while Thessaloniki Pride saw sponsors scale back visibility requests.
Prague Pride is down €15,000 in funding compared to last year, and Sofia Pride in Bulgaria has seen its budget slashed by 50% following a national law echoing Russia’s anti-LGBTQ+ “propaganda” ban.
“I’m not just worried, I’m genuinely frightened about what the next four years could mean for smaller Prides like Sofia Pride,” said Simeon Vasilev, chair of Bulgaria’s GLAS Foundation. “Without political support, I fear we could lose hard-won ground.”
Security concerns have also added financial strain, as Pride events face increasing threats from far-right groups attempting disruptions.
Despite these setbacks, many organisers remain hopeful. Christopher Street Day Berlin is actively seeking community donations to cover its shortfall. “While right-wing and anti-queer forces gain influence across Europe, what is needed is the opposite: a clear sign of solidarity from business, politics, and society,” said Voges.
