| Formation | 2016 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Berlin, Germany |
Managing Directors | Alessia Cerantola, Peter Matjašič |
| Website | https://www.investigate-europe.eu |
Investigate Europe is a team of investigative journalists focusing on in-depth European issues, using techniques such as open source reporting, data journalism and freedom of information requests. The organisation is registered as a not-for-profit European cooperative. Its reporters conduct in-depth, cross-border investigations into migration, conflict and corruption, and work with leading media to publish their findings. This collaborative approach raises public awareness of under-reported issues.
Investigate Europe was founded in 2016 by a group of economic journalists from different European countries.[1] It was registered as a non-profit organisation in 2019. The organisations first managing directors were Oliver Moldenhauer and Elisa Simantke.[2]
Investigate Europe has published dozens of cross-border investigations since its foundation. Of particular note is its investigation into a previously little-known investment protection treaty, the Energy Charter Treaty.[3] As a result, more than a million people signed a petition calling on EU countries to withdraw from the treaty.[4] Multiple EU member states eventually withdrew from the treaty.[5][6][7] In another investigation Investigate Europe revealed the Moria logbook,[8] in which the camp management recorded the conditions under which unaccompanied minors were housed in the Moria refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesbos. In the Secrets of Council project,[9] Investigate Europe has been working since 2017 to make decision-making in the Council of the EU more transparent.
Investigate Europe's research is published in Europe's major newspapers, including the Guardian,[10] Público,[11] Mediapart,[12] Il Fatto Quotidiano,[13] Dagens Nyheter,[14] Gazeta Wyborcza,[15] Republik,[16] Der Standard[17] and Tagesspiegel.[18] The organisation's work has contributed to public debates,[19][20] policy discussions[21][22] and legislative processes[23][24] in the EU and its member states.
A selection of prize nominations and awards:
A number of small and large donors support Investigate Europe's work, as do foundations - including Fritt Ord,[32] the Schöpflin Foundation,[33] the Rudolf Augstein Foundation[34] and the Reva and David Logan Foundation.[35] In addition, the Journalismfund[36] and IJ4EU programmes[37] have supported several Investigate Europe investigations.