This six-month programme for 50 participants (40 mid-career investigative journalists and 10 early-career journalists/students) consisted of 12 online workshops, each lasting 90 minutes. They were supplemented by practical assignments, mentorship and resource toolkits.
The sessions focused on data analysis, AI tools, open-source intelligence (OSINT) and visual storytelling, combining theory with practical exercises. The programme also included mentorship and follow-up support.
Training Objectives
- Provide 50 journalists from Europe and Africa with specialised investigative training in environmental reporting.
- Strengthen cross-border collaboration to uncover environmental misconduct linked to European industries in Africa.
- Provide practical, hands-on tools to investigate toxic exports, supply chains, financial forensics, OSINT, climate disinformation, and visual storytelling.
- Ensure participants produce practical outputs that can be applied in their reporting immediately.
Timeline
Phase 1: Preparation & participants selection (January 2026) - completed
Phase 2: Training Workshops (February - July 2026) - completed
Workshop Schedule
- February 2026 – Investigating Toxic Exports & Industrial Pollution
- March 2026 – Data Analysis & AI for Environmental Reporting
- April 2026 – Supply Chains & Financial Tracking
- May 2026 – OSINT for Environmental Investigations
- June 2026 – Fact-checking & Countering Climate Disinformation
- July 2026 – Visual & Data-driven Storytelling
Trainers
- Andy Lehren - CCIJ Editorial Director
- Peter Aldhous - CCIJ Data Editor and Analyst
- Ajibola Amzat - CCIJ Africa Editor
- Nelly Kalu- CCIJ Editorial Projects & Products Manager
Training Coordinator
- Fola Folayan (CCIJ)
Partner organisation
Phase 3: Evaluation & Afterlife (August 2026) - ongoing
