Engaged Investigations – A Community-driven Approach

Bureau Spotlight is the only collective dedicated to regional investigative journalism in the Netherlands, specifically covering the Gelderse Vallei region across the provinces of Utrecht and Gelderland. While previous investigations have focused on issues such as air quality, labour exploitation, and the experiences of LGBTQ students in conservative Christian schools, these were primarily initiated through journalist-driven hypotheses.

This project seeks to reverse that model by establishing a community-driven investigative journalism approach—ensuring that marginalised communities actively shape the investigative agenda.

Through structured engagement with key communities, the project will create a sustainable network of sources, insights, and community-identified issues that warrant further investigation. This will enable a more inclusive, empathetic, and constructive model of journalism, ensuring that stories are not simply “about communities,” but truly rooted in their lived experiences.

As part of this transformation, Bureau Spotlight will develop a clear and accessible ethical code that communicates its mission and values to community members—helping to build trust and transparency.

The project will also develop methodologies that are scalable beyond the initial communities involved, forming the foundation for a sustainable investigative practice that can adapt to changing regional demographics.

Additionally, the network established through this work will not only serve as a source of investigative leads, but may also offer potential revenue opportunities—by operating transparently as a research hub for regional stakeholders. This will support Bureau Spotlight’s financial sustainability.

To reach and engage diverse audiences, the project will experiment with innovative storytelling formats, drawing from Bureau Spotlight’s previous experience in podcasting and exploring other multimedia approaches.

Bureau Spotlight is an independent collective for regional investigative journalism in the Netherlands. They remain the only investigative newsroom dedicated to serving the Gelderse Vallei. In this region, in-depth investigative reporting is often absent due to the structural decline of local newsrooms across the country.

Goals (Expected) of the Project

This project aims to:

• Establish a sustainable, community-driven investigative framework
• Develop scalable methodologies for community-centred investigations
• Create an accessible ethical code to foster trust and accountability
• Experiment with new storytelling formats to reach broader audiences
• Ensure financial sustainability beyond the grant period