Supported projects

ROME – Europe’s asylum centres are intended as safe havens for vulnerable, unaccompanied minors susceptible to trafficking and abuse. However, evidence suggests that these centres may instead become sites of exploitation, with people profiting from the very children they are supposed to be protecting.

BUCHAREST- How did a high school theater group, led by a charismatic director, evolve into a cult-like organization where verbal, physical, and even sexual abuse became the norm?

KYIV/CATANIA/BARCELONA - This investigation by a cross-border team of journalists from Ukraine, Spain and Italy reveals what happened when thousands of Ukrainian orphans, who had been placed in foster care across Europe following Russia’s large-scale invasion, were called back to Ukraine.

BISHKEK - Kyrgyzstan is a country where Russian influence is still very strong. While other global players such as Europe and the West are increasingly vying for influence in the region, conflicting interests can be observed.

OBERHAUSEN - Statistics for juvenile offenders with foreign citizenship in Germany show that the number of crimes is increasing. This reporting project analyses the number of kids and juveniles who appear in the statistics with Macedonian, Serbian, and Romanian citizenship. It also demonstrates that the spectrum of crimes is broad.

AFRICA - New generations always dream big. Daaf Borren travelled through some 16 countries in Africa, fascinated by their stories. From Mali and Congo to Ethiopia and Mauritania: this is an atypical travel book, in which you not only cover many kilometres, but also travel along to the future.

SOFIA/BUDAPEST - When people think of adoption, they think of poor countries in the global south. However, Flanders and the Netherlands adopt children from other European countries, such as Bulgaria and Hungary. This cross-border investigation shows that Roma children in these countries are discriminated against and end up in the adoption system due to stigma, poverty and a lack of support for families.

BRUSSELS - Two young people are growing up in a world that is destroying itself. They each seek their own path and test how far they are willing to go in their actions.

OOSTAKKER - November 1967. The police raid the Martens-Sotteau orphanage in Oostakker. Following the report of a social worker, it is suspected that the children there are being abused. Father O., Capuchin and confessor, and the guardian P.J. were arrested.