How crowdfunding solidarity saved Budapest Pride

Budapest Pride is organized by a small LGBTQI+ NGO in Hungary. The march has been an annual event for the past 30 years. In recent years, the mobilization has come under escalating attacks in the form of harassment and intimidation as well as laws cracking down on civil society and LGBTQ communities from the right-wing Fidesz government. 

Barbara Horváth, Senior Campaign Expert and Holly Dawson, ECDA Training Coordinator explain how the movement fought back against repression, and what happened next. 

Pride under pressure

Last year, cuts to USAID followed by the loss of all corporate funding led to a 90% cut in funding for Budapest Pride. In March 2025, a new anti-LGBTQ law threatened all those participating in Pride with fines. This was tantamount to banning the event, and was the first time such a measure had been taken against a Pride March in the EU.

Opportunity in crisis

The announcement of the ban triggered a huge outpouring of support on social media and in mainstream media. A progressive coalition came together to launch a rapid response campaign focused on fundraising to ensure the event could go ahead.

Campaigners sought to leverage the impending law, which could come into force at any time, as a hook to fundraise outside of Hungary. Calls for solidarity crowdfunding campaigns were issued to organizations throughout Europe.

Social media played a critical role in the campaign with influencers and political leaders creating and sharing their own content encouraging people to turn out despite threats of fines.

Emails were sent out at key moments asking for donations and giving people other ways to mobilize such as signing petitions or writing to policymakers.

Fundraising pages were created in multiple languages. Onsite fundraising was planned with volunteer teams trained and mobilized.

What was the impact?

Thanks to solidarity fundraising, Budapest Pride was able to harness the moment online, gain media attention, and raise enough money to go ahead.

Results

• Budapest Pride grew its list by 5,000 (from 2,500 to 7,500).

• The campaign managed to raise 100% of all the funding that had been lost.

• Over 250,000 people marched in Budapest for Pride.

•  Major media outlets reported the event (including the Guardian, NYT, CNN, Al Jazeera, Reuters, BBC, DW and more).

What did we learn?

1. Never waste a good crisis: Major political or social moments are critical for successful fundraising campaigns.

2. Reach out: The willingness of many actors to support Budapest Pride demonstrated the significant potential of collaborative fundraising.

3. Trust the process: Putting fundraising as the core mobilization channel both online and offline delivered real results.