The European Cross-border Investigations programme for 2026-27 provides reporting teams with an opportunity to connect with subject matter experts to strengthen their investigative research.
This type of collaboration requires a methodology to build mutual trust and benefit. Scientists need reassurance that their reputations won't be compromised, whilst journalists must demonstrate expertise and preparation when approaching potential expert partners.
To support this endeavour, Journalismfund Europe is organising a series of four events for journalists and editors to get deeper insights into best practices for successful projects.
Events schedule
- Session 1: The Forever Project. Tuesday 24 February 2026 at 2:00 PM CET.
Stéphane Horel, investigative journalist with Le Monde, will present the Forever Pollution Project and the Forever Lobbying Project. Between 2023-2025, these collaborative journalistic projects revealed the scale of the PFAS crisis in Europe with the support of over 20 experts.
- Session 2: Wasted Wetlands. Tuesday 24 March 2026 at 2:00 PM CET.
Elisabetta Tola will explain how journalists teamed up with ornithologists to reveal how commercial interests backed by public money are decimating Europe’s remaining wetlands
- Session 3: Green to Grey. Tuesday 21 April 2026 at 2:00 PM CET.
Zeynep Sentek & Leopold Salzenstein, will discuss how 38 journalists and three scientists documented the scale of Europe's disappearing nature in the Green to Grey's project.
- Session 4: How to save the planet (and its people) with nerds. Tuesday 19 May 2026 at 2:00 PM CET.
Drawing on their extensive experience working on collaborative journalism projects, Stéphane Horel, Elisabetta Tola and Leopold Salzenstein will share lessons learned, tips and recipes for engaging with other subject-matter experts.
More programme information
Find out more about the European Cross-border grant information and the application portal here.
The second public open call deadline for the European Cross-border grant programme is on Thursday 21st of May 2026, 13:00 CET (Brussels). The following deadline will be on Thursday 30th July 2026 2026.
