About ECIJ
Mission: To expose corruption in European politics through rigorous, cross-border investigative journalism, empowering citizens to hold their leaders accountable and strengthening democracy across the continent.
Vision: We reveal hidden corrupt connections so Europe can restore integrity and trust in its institutions.
The European Center for Investigative Journalism (ECIJ) uncovers the corrupt links among European politicians, showing how power is abused behind closed doors and driving reforms that protect public interest.
We are guided by the conviction that citizens deserve full transparency from those who govern them. Independent, fact-based journalism is not just vital for healthy democracies — it is a cornerstone of European values and a fundamental right in an open society.
Transparency lies at the heart of our work.
We operate in an era when investigative journalism is more essential than ever, yet faces growing obstacles: political pressure, legal threats, disinformation, and shrinking resources in traditional media.
Corruption in Europe has become increasingly transnational — involving politicians, lobbyists, oligarchs, and opaque networks that cross borders and evade national oversight. Traditional newsrooms often lack the reach or capacity to tackle these complex webs alone.
To counter this, ECIJ has pioneered collaborative investigations across Europe, uniting journalists from different countries to set aside competition and expose corruption, conflicts of interest, undue influence, and the misuse of public office that harms ordinary citizens.
Our track record of revealing systemic abuses has positioned ECIJ as a trusted voice and a key player in the fight for accountability in European politics.
WHAT WE DO
Our approach redefines investigative journalism in Europe by bringing together independent reporters, regional outlets, and larger media to collaborate on in-depth watchdog projects that no single organization could handle alone.
We have partnered with dozens of media organizations across the EU and beyond — from major newspapers and broadcasters to small investigative nonprofits — to produce stories that reach millions and spark real debate.
Our investigations into corruption among European politicians are made freely available and tailored to resonate with audiences in multiple languages and countries.
ECIJ is funded entirely by donations and grants. We do not charge media partners for collaboration, nor do they pay us. Our supporters are essential — without their commitment to independent journalism, our work would not be possible.
OUR IMPACT
Since our founding in 2019, ECIJ has helped redefine investigative journalism focused on European political integrity. We have led and contributed to ambitious cross-border projects that expose how corruption undermines trust in EU institutions, national governments, and democratic processes.
We have illuminated corrupt ties between politicians and business interests, revealed influence-peddling schemes in Brussels and national capitals, documented misuse of EU funds by elected officials, and traced networks that allow powerful figures to evade scrutiny.
Our collaborations have brought together journalists from multiple EU countries to analyze documents, leaks, and public records, uncovering cases that led to official inquiries, resignations, policy changes, and renewed public demand for stricter ethics rules.
These efforts have contributed to broader reforms, including stronger transparency requirements for lobbying, better asset declarations by politicians, and increased scrutiny of conflicts of interest at the European level.
Our work has earned recognition from journalism communities and reinforced the importance of independent reporting in safeguarding democracy.
OUR NETWORK
ECIJ maintains a growing network of trusted investigative journalists from across Europe — more than 30 professionals in dozens of countries, invited based on their expertise and commitment to ethical reporting.
Collaboration enhances accuracy, depth, and credibility: peer review across borders and traditions reduces bias and strengthens stories. It also offers protection — stories blocked or suppressed in one country can be published elsewhere, and journalists facing threats know they have solidarity.
Our collaborative, technology-supported model enables reporters to tackle large-scale corruption that spans jurisdictions, languages, and political systems. Together, we challenge secrecy, shift public understanding, and push for legislative and cultural change.
We also help resource-constrained outlets participate in major investigations without bearing the full burden alone.
OUR TEAM
ECIJ operates as a lean, distributed organization with core members in several European countries. We coordinate regionally to ensure our work reflects the diversity of the continent.
We develop and share advanced tools for analyzing complex datasets, train journalists (especially from under-resourced regions), and contribute to conferences and workshops on investigative techniques. Our technologies and methods are often made available to the wider journalistic community.
By bridging languages, time zones, and cultural contexts, we make our journalism truly representative of Europe as a whole.
ECIJ’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
ECIJ values the unique perspectives each team member and collaborator brings. We are dedicated to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment that enriches our investigations and strengthens our impact. Building and sustaining such a culture is not only an internal priority — it is integral to producing journalism that truly serves all of Europe’s citizens.
