150 000 EUR awarded to three regional media hubs to support journalism in Europe

The grants are part of the “Collaborative and Investigative Journalism Initiative” (CIJI), which aims to equip independent media outlets and individual journalists with resources, innovative networking infrastructure, and standards-based methods that enable them to practice high-quality, ethical, and accountable collaborative and investigative journalism. CIJI is run by a consortium with Free Press Unlimited, Tactical Tech (TT), Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Fundacja Reporterow (FR), OBC Transeuropa and Delfi. 

"As we witness the growing challenges to independent journalism across Europe, it becomes more evident than ever that collaborative journalism and investigative reporting are essential pillars of a resilient democracy. By empowering regional hubs for collaborative and investigative media across Europe, we can fortify the foundations of a free press that stands resilient in the face of adversity," says Ruth Kronenburg, Executive Director of Free Press Unlimited.

“In the context of global crises and the rapid spread of information disorder, investigative journalism plays a critical role in providing audiences with evidence-based narratives. The regional hubs are particularly important in promoting collaborative and investigative practices that lead to a healthier information ecosystem," says Marek Tuszynski, Executive Director and co-founder of Tactical Tech.

An independent jury, consisting of renowned media professionals and academics, chose the winning organisations, based on their track record in regional collaborative and/or investigative journalism training, capacity building as well as their potential to engage a vast array of media actors on a regional level.  

These are the grant recipients: 
 

The RISE Project Romania

RISE Project is a leading investigative reporting organisation established in 2012 in Romania, part of the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Network. Their mission is to develop investigative journalism and publish high-quality stories in the public interest. They investigate organized crime, and offshore businesses and expose money laundering schemes that involve companies in Romania and Eastern Europe. RISE Project is doing in-depth investigative journalism using state-of-the-art investigative techniques and technologies to generate high-quality reporting on local and cross-border organised crime and corruption networks. They educate other journalists and the public at large in researching complex corporate structures used by organised crime and corrupt officials.

“The corruption patterns are much the same in all countries in the region, but organised crime groups crossing borders have become increasingly sophisticated, so journalists need to regroup accordingly. Our immediate goal is to help as many journalists as possible to work on international projects, so this award came at the right time,” says Romana Puiulet, Co-founder and board member of RISE Project. 
 

Investigate Europe

Investigate Europe (IE) is an award-winning, cross-border investigative journalism cooperative committed to delivering quality, in-depth journalism that matters to Europeans. IE’s mission is to report on complex European issues from a multi-angled perspective, helping foster a better mutual understanding of the actors and structures at play. IE is a permanent cross-border collaborative team of 21 individuals (journalists, editors, producers, and managers), among them 15 investigative reporters from 11 countries: Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and the UK. The core of their work revolves around in-depth investigations, researched over at least three months, with a specific cross-border perspective.

“I'm excited that Investigate Europe is joining the CIJI network as a regional hub to help strengthen collaborative investigative journalism by sharing our distinct cross-border approach. We cherish this opportunity to exchange with others and learn from each other whilst supporting the ecosystem of public interest media in Europe,” says Peter Matjašič, Executive Director of Investigate Europe.

Journalists in Need Network 

Journalists in Need Network (jinn) is a Berlin-based non-profit organisation supporting journalists and media workers at risk, advancing investigative journalism and cross-border cooperation. Journalists in Need Network provides emergency help and creates new opportunities for exiled media in Germany and abroad. Consultancy, mentorship, educational and funding programs are aimed at capacity building of media outlets and freelance journalists who were forced to leave their countries and are seeking new models, funding opportunities, and partner organisations in exile. One of the crucial and fast-developing fields of jinn’s work includes a co-working space. Exile Media Hub offers Berlin-based journalists from Belarus and Russia much-needed infrastructure to preserve the work of editorial teams and freelance journalists and fosters a tight-knit community of independent media.

“Collaborative investigative reporting can transcend boundaries. Uniting diverse perspectives, uncovering stories of significance and emphasizing the vital role of shared knowledge. Our commitment lies in empowering communities through informed discourse, spotlighting the profound impact of collective efforts,” says Sergey Medvedev, Managing Director of jinn.

The three regional hubs will be instrumental to independent journalists and media outlets in the respective regions that would like to build skills and expertise in pursuing and coordinating investigative work, connect to peers and deepen their understanding of tools and methods used in investigations, ensure the safety of their teams and sources, etc. The media hubs will  act as a CIJI area ambassador and thus provide national/regional expertise  to the consortium partners and assist in identifying relevant partners, mentors, trainers and potential grant applicants from the respective regions.
 

The call for applications to select regional media hubs ran between 1 and 31 October 2023. More information about CIJI is available at www.ciji.eu. 

This project is co-funded by the European Union. 

Disclaimer:

Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.