# Investigathon

The Investigathon is a three-day, live event for selected alumni of the Next-IJ online cross-border investigative training programmes. It is where training turns into action: participants come together to kick-start real investigations that can continue well beyond the event itself.

🔗 [Learn more about the Next-IJ online trainings](https://hub.next-ij.eu/investigative-journalism-trainings)

### <mark style="color:$primary;">What is an Investigathon?</mark>

An **Investigathon** (short for *investigation hackathon*) is an intensive, collaborative event hosted by [Next-IJ](https://gfmd.info/next-ij-empowering-european-journalists-with-tools-and-hands-on-trainings/). It is designed to prepare and launch **real investigative reporting**, not simulations. Working in cross-border teams, participants:

* Explore **high-priority investigative topics**
* Collectively analyse data, documents, and sources
* Test tools and workflows used in professional investigations
* Identify **strong, publishable story angles** that can be pursued independently or collaboratively after the event

Built to address urgent investigative challenges, the Investigathon encourages innovation at the intersection of **data journalism, technology, and international collaboration**, all in service of public‑interest reporting.

### <mark style="color:$primary;">Who Participates?</mark>

Each Investigathon brings together around **30 investigative journalists** from previous Next-IJ training programmes, alongside **students from the UCSC School of Journalism**.

This unique mix allows participants to:

* Work **across borders and national contexts**
* Build lasting connections within an **international investigative network**
* Take part in a **transgenerational exchange of ideas**, where early‑career journalists, mid‑career professionals, and experienced investigators learn from one another

🔗 [Learn more about the Next-IJ network](https://hub.next-ij.eu/network)

### <mark style="color:$primary;">How Does it Work?</mark>

Participants develop practical investigative skills through hands-on-work and access to cutting-edge **technological tools.** During their investigations, they work extensively with [Aleph Pro](https://aleph.occrp.org/) and [DATACROS](https://www.datacros3.com/), alongside other databases and open-source tools. They also receive guidance and training by experts from the [Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project](https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-organized-crime-and-corruption-reporting-project/) and[ Transcrime](https://www.linkedin.com/company/transcrime/) (part of the [Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore](https://www.linkedin.com/company/unicatt/) – UCSC). For many participants, this engaged way of learning makes a tangible difference:

> *“I gained practical skills in using new investigative tools and workflows shared by OCCRP investigators, especially techniques for efficient data cross-checking and verification. I also picked up tips on structuring leads, organising findings, and moving faster from raw data to publishable story angles, helped by detailed feedback from editors during the sessions.”* – Participant from Georgia, Jan. 2026

### <mark style="color:$primary;">A Strategic Role Within Next-IJ</mark>

Beyond skills development, each Investigathon plays a key strategic role within the **Next-IJ programme**. The collaborative work helps identify promising themes and story leads that may later become the focus of an **official cross-border pilot investigation focusing on uncovering crime and corruption in Europe** supported by Next-IJ.

### <mark style="color:$primary;">Investigathons in 2026</mark>

Next-IJ will organise two editions of the Investigathon in 2026:

* #### Milan, Italy — 14–16 January 2026

🔗 [Read more about the January 2026 Investigathon](/news/uncovering-the-story-inside-the-first-next-ij-investigathon.md)

* #### Autumn 2026 — Location and dates to be announced

Stay connected to receive updates on upcoming Investigathons and future opportunities to take part.

***

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