Many funders care deeply about a particular field: the environment, climate, education, health care, human rights or democracy itself. In each of these fields, people need reliable, independent information to understand what is happening and to hold those in power to account. Investigative journalism provides that information. It uncovers what is hidden, brings evidence into public debate and leaves citizens free to draw their own conclusions. Journalismfund Europe enables private foundations, public funders and individuals to support this work in the fields they care about, transparently and without compromising the editorial independence of the journalists and media involved.
Why an intermediary?
Investigative journalism is slow, costly and often risky work that few media outlets can still afford on their own. Funding it directly, however, carries risks of its own. Journalists who accept money from third parties are often scrutinised for potential conflicts of interest, and critics may use their funding sources to undermine the credibility of their work. Donors, in turn, can become the target of public criticism after the publication of stories they have funded.
A firewall between donors and journalists
Journalismfund Europe exists to resolve this tension. Founded in Brussels in 1998 as a citizens’ initiative, it acts as an independent intermediary between donors and journalists. Grant decisions are taken independently, and donors have no say over the content of the work they make possible. This safeguards the editorial independence of journalists and media, and shields donors from accusations of influence.
At the same time, donors are kept well informed, without being drawn into the journalistic process. They learn about the content of an investigation only once it has been published. From then on, transparent reporting keeps them informed about the published stories and their impact.
Funding a theme, not an outcome
Journalismfund Europe works with donors to set up thematic grant programmes on the issues they care about. Earth Investigations, for example, supports investigations into environmental issues, while The Invisible Life focuses on the welfare of farmed animals. Within such a programme, journalists propose their own investigations and grants are awarded independently. Donors determine the theme, not the story, and certainly not its conclusions. That independence is precisely what gives the journalism its credibility, and therefore its impact.
One example: through its Modern Slavery Unveiled programme, Journalismfund Europe supported an investigation into how diplomatic immunity shielded foreign envoys from accountability for the abuse and exploitation of migrant domestic workers. Since its publication, courts in the United Kingdom and Switzerland have set clear limits on that immunity. In 2025, the Swiss Federal Court ruled that diplomatic immunity could not be invoked as a defence in cases of domestic worker maltreatment, and in 2026 a UK court ordered the United Arab Emirates to pay £260,000 in damages to a domestic worker exploited by one of its envoys. Read more.
Risk management at every stage
Throughout the application process and the projects themselves, careful measures are taken to protect journalists, projects, donors and the organisation: digital security, confidentiality, contracting, follow-up, reporting, financial control, publication and dissemination.
Ways to support our work
Journalismfund Europe works with private foundations, public funders, organisations and individuals. Donors can support an existing grant programme, help set up a new thematic programme, or contribute to the organisation’s general work. Contact Journalismfund.
Our donors in 2026
Journalismfund Europe can only operate strongly and independently thanks to the support of its donors. In 2026, its work was made possible by:
- European Union (Creative Europe): €2,865,138
- Arcadia: €1,949,886
- Flemish Government: €642,317
- Coefficient Giving: €438,000
- King Baudouin Foundation: €148,992
- Meliore Foundation: €117,431
- Limelight Foundation: €100,000
- Veronica Vereniging: €8,529
- Individual donors: €3,978