# About

## <mark style="color:blue;">WHO WE ARE</mark> <a href="#who-we-are" id="who-we-are"></a>

**Next-Level Data and Tools for Investigative Journalism (Next-IJ)** is led by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project ([**OCCRP**](https://www.occrp.org/en)), the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore **(**[**UCSC**](https://www.unicatt.it/)) – through [**Transcrime**](https://www.transcrime.it/), Joint Research Centre on Innovation and Crime, and the School of Journalism *–* and the Global Forum for Media Development ([**GFMD**](https://gfmd.info/)).

Supported by the **European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EECEA)** of the European Commission, Next-IJ strengthens European journalists, newsrooms, and media outlets with cutting-edge tools and expertise to combat corruption, financial crime, and organised crime.

Learn more about us here:

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[Partners](/about-1/partners.md)
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## <mark style="color:blue;">WHAT WE DO</mark> <a href="#what-we-do" id="what-we-do"></a>

Next-IJ is committed to empowering investigative journalists with the **technological edge, skills, and resources** needed to expose corruption, financial crime, and organised crime. We focus on:

* <mark style="color:blue;">**Enhancing technological and analytical capabilities**</mark>: we equip journalists with cutting-edge investigative tools, up-to-date methodologies, and advanced data analysis techniques to stay ahead of criminal activities.
* <mark style="color:blue;">**Flagship investigations**</mark><mark style="color:blue;">:</mark> we lead high-impact, cross-border investigations that demonstrate and validate innovative investigative approaches, highlighting their effectiveness in exposing corruption and organised crime.
* <mark style="color:blue;">**Promoting transparency and justice**</mark>: our work uncovers corruption, financial misconduct, and organised crime, helping to restore public trust and accountability in affected spheres.
* <mark style="color:blue;">**Addressing capacity and skills gaps**</mark><mark style="color:blue;">:</mark> we tackle challenges in efficiency and effectiveness, providing journalists with the skills to navigate complex datasets, including multimedia sources like photos, videos, and satellite imagery.
* <mark style="color:blue;">**Integrating advanced technologies**</mark>: we incorporate AI-driven data analysis, automation, and visualisation tools to support deep, data-driven investigative journalism, enhancing the scope and depth of each investigation.

Learn more here:

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[Deliverables](/deliverables.md)
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With Next-IJ, journalists and media organisations gain the tools, knowledge, and network needed to **stay ahead of crime and corruption in an increasingly complex digital world**.

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## <mark style="color:blue;">**HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?**</mark> <a href="#how-can-i-get-involved" id="how-can-i-get-involved"></a>

There are several ways to engage with Next-IJ and support our mission:

* <mark style="color:blue;">**Skill development & training**</mark> – participate in our workshops and training sessions covering advanced tools, data journalism techniques, and legal frameworks.
* <mark style="color:blue;">**Global data access**</mark> – leverage our interconnected databases for cross-border investigative projects and reliable data-driven reporting.
* <mark style="color:blue;">**International collaboration**</mark> – join a network of investigative journalists, newsrooms, and media organisations dedicated to uncovering corruption and organised crime worldwide.
* <mark style="color:blue;">**Subscribe to our mailing list**</mark> – stay informed about upcoming training, investigative opportunities, tools and resources as well as the latest project developments.
* <mark style="color:blue;">**Join our Signal group**</mark> – connect with like-minded journalists for real-time discussions, and collaboration.

Learn more here:

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[Network](/network.md)
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By engaging with Next-IJ, you become part of a **global effort to hold power to account and drive transparency through impactful journalism.**

***

<figure><img src="/files/UGUqBh8X3TkBAvXufcm6" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>


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