THE CYCLADES – Tourism in the Greek Cyclades is booming, but at a high cost. This cross-border investigation explores how over-tourism is putting pressure on water supplies, creating waste, and fuelling uncontrolled construction projects across the islands.

BRUSSELS – This investigation examines how false narratives, political discourse and lobbying efforts in six European countries have shaped perceptions of wolves, leading to the weakening of their legal protection.

PRAGUE / KYIV – Regenerative agriculture is an approach to farming that is climate-resilient, restoring soil health, increasing biodiversity and strengthening rural communities. The project examines farms that have successfully implemented new strategies to highlight what works in practice and why.

BRUSSELS – Today, the commercial seed market is dominated by five agricultural conglomerates: BASF, Bayer/Monsanto, DowDuPont/Corteva, Syngenta/ChemChina and Limagrain. In Europe alone, they dominate 95% of the vegetable seed supply. But why is this the case, and what does it have to do with lobbying for the deregulation of gene-edited plants?

PRAGUE / TIRANA / WEINSTADT – This project explores the surprising new roles of Czech military bunkers, which were once part of the defence system built in the 1930s. Brno’s 10-Z shelter has been revived by historian Pavel Paleček, who has turned it into a museum, cultural venue and unconventional accommodation serving retro breakfasts.

DAMASCUS – Following the collapse of the Assad regime, it emerged that at least 3,700 children had gone missing in Syria. They were either arrested alongside their parents or born to political prisoners in jail. Nobody knows where they are today. Have they been killed and buried in mass graves, illegally adopted, or forcibly sonscripted into the army? In many cases, their trail leads to Syrian and international orphanages. 

SICILY/MATI - The Mediterranean wildfire crisis is not simply a product of climate change and bad luck. Fundamental policy failures that have undermined forest protection across Southern Europe lie at its core.

ABUJA / KADUNA - This investigation examines the operations of two Turkish-founded mining companies, Zeberced and Istanbul Quarry & Concrete, in Nigeria.

YEREVAN – This investigation examines the role played by certain Italian agencies authorised by the Italian government and accredited in Armenia until 2022 in alleged cases of child trafficking from Armenia: Anpas, Arcobaleno Onlus and Famiglia Insieme Onlus.

CHIATURA –  Georgia is a key supplier of manganese, an essential raw material for Europe’s transition to renewable energy which is used in wind turbines and electric cars. This investigation  shows how the EU's rush to secure critical raw materials for its green transition is colliding with weak environmental oversight, opaque corporate networks, and a dramatically shrinking civic space in Georgia.

CLUJ-NAPOCA / LISBON / ALYTUS / PRAGUE – Cities are not very pedestrian-friendly, and small children are among the most vulnerable groups. One solution is tactical urbanism, a method that opens a discussion about the design of a specific area, making it possible to convince all stakeholders of the need for permanent changes.

BELA CRKVA / PRIGOR / PETRILA - This cross-border investigation has revealed that the European Commission is turning a blind eye to Romania's systemic failure to protect its wildlife.

BIHOR - Produced by tapping into the heat stored beneath the Earth’s surface, geothermal energy is regarded as one of the most promising renewable sources, with a largely untapped potential. This investigation explores the different experiences local communities across Europe have with this energy source.

NAIROBI/LONDON – Although plastic offsetting schemes claim to combat pollution, on the ground in Kenya, these promises ring hollow. In this cross-border investigation, Kenyan and UK journalists worked together to expose the failure of plastic credits backed by petrochemical giants and luxury brands to deliver on their social and environmental promises.

ATHENS / DAMASCUS / FORLI – This investigation has uncovered the murky connections between the Greek airline Air Mediterranean and individuals and companies involved in drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and other illicit activities in Syria.

PALERMO - Since 2015, Greece and Italy have been at the forefront of the European refugee crisis. As major gateways into the EU, both countries have faced the immense challenge of receiving displaced people, all the while grappling with political pressure, limited resources, and increasingly restrictive migration policies. But what would happen if the roles were reversed and citizens of these same nations, which have long experience with incoming displacement, were forced to flee?

EDINBURGH/ ROME/ BUCHAREST - What makes a mother fit to look after her children in the eyes of the authorities? And are these assessments shaped by systemic discrimination rooted in cultural and racial biases, particularly against racialised and migrant communities? These are the central questions that guided our investigation, focusing specifically on Roma and Black migrant families.

IJMUIDEN/ FRASERBURGH/ DUNVEGAN/ HVIDE SANDE – The European fishing industry is becoming increasingly reliant on migrant labour from outside the EU. However, due to the difficulty of regulating international waters, as well as a lack of knowledge and oversight regarding labour laws, these migrant workers are vulnerable to exploitation.

BRUSSELS - The surge of the far right in the European Parliament is reshaping climate politics. This investigation reveals how these parties are collaborating with mainstream allies to undermine environmental protections and delay green reforms throughout the EU.

FLORENCE - A joint investigation by The Insider and IRPIMedia has revealed that members of the Russian elite, including former KGB colleagues of Putin, Kremlin insiders, arms manufacturers, and sanctioned oligarchs, have quietly acquired at least 15 luxury wineries and over 2,000 hectares of land in Italy.

MANONO – Before a single ounce of lithium left Manono’s soil, millions had already changed hands in boardrooms and backchannels. To reveal this, the journalists had to follow millions of data points, tangled company networks, and a cast of well-connected power brokers.

ZAGREB – This investigation examines the opaque business model of football agent Andy Bara and his agency, Niagara Sports. Bara is renowned for orchestrating high-profile transfers, including Dani Olmo's moves to RB Leipzig and FC Barcelona. However, his dealings have raised questions about 'bridge transfers', a system banned by FIFA whereby young African talent is funnelled through smaller European clubs, often bypassing the rightful compensation of their training academies.

BERLIN / ATHENS - Every year, hundreds of thousands of buildings are demolished across Europe. This demolition frenzy is virtually unregulated and to date has received too little attention, despite the many ecological and social problems it causes.

LOKICHAR – This investigation explores the operations of oil companies in Northern Kenya and the responses of local stakeholders, including pastoralists, former oil workers, and land rights advocates. One such company is Tullow Oil, a British firm that bought oil blocks in the region over a decade ago.

# Financial support
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# Projects supported
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# Grantees
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Grants 

Professional Development for Environmental Journalism

This grant programme is open for organisations with project proposals for collective development and support services to build the capacities of environmental investigative journalists.

The next application deadline is (CET):

Thu, 09/10/2025 - 13:00

Environmental Investigative Journalism

This grant programme supports cross-border teams of professional journalists and/or news outlets to conduct investigations into environmental affairs related to geographical Europe.

The next application deadline is (CET):

Thu, 09/10/2025 - 13:00

Pascal Decroos Fund

The Pascal Decroos Fund is Journalismfund Europe's oldest grant programme. Since 1999 it strives to advance investigative journalism in Dutch-language media in Belgium

The next application deadline is (CET):

Thu, 13/11/2025 - 13:00

News

Scholarships for grantees

To enable investigative journalists to share their experience and knowledge with colleagues at conferences, trainings, webinars and other available journalistic events, Journalismfund Europe provides scholarships for its grantees.

Legal Considerations for Environmental Journalists

Egypt Bans Touristic Bird Hunting After Cross-border Investigation

2025-09-09

CAIRO – New ban issued by the Egyptian Ministry of Environment for hunting birds in the New Valley and Lake Nasser, after a cross-border investigation into tourist hunting.

1,115 Grant Applications Over Eight Months

2025-09-01

BRUSSELS - The number of grant applications Journalismfund Europe gets from both individual journalists and media outlets has been rising sharply. By 1 September, we received a total of 1,115 applications across our various grant programmes since the beginning of this year.

Exploiting Journalists Destroys Credibility

2025-08-25

BRUSSELS - How can media outlets denounce modern slavery and exploitation at corporations and governments whilst expecting their own freelance journalists to work for free? This hypocrisy doesn't just undermine their moral authority - it threatens the very future of investigative journalism.

Agenda

24Sep
28Sep
Festival

Through our commitment, we strive to unmute voices and stories that are usually invisible in the mainstream media, opening up the stage to journalists, documentarists, whistleblowers, activists, writers and artists.

Modena (Italy)
25Sep
27Sep
Conference

Save the date! The 7th International Journalism Forum is set to convene in Athens, Greece , from September 25-27, 2025.

 

Athens (Greece)
25Sep
Webinar

This session will introduce you to the methodologies and approaches used by leading investigators.

Prague (online)