Next-IJ Wraps Up Third Investigative Journalism Training in 2025

The third Next-IJ Training Programme has concluded, equipping journalists and media professionals with cutting-edge expertise to tackle corruption and complex digital investigations.

On Saturday, 20 September 2025, 54 journalists across Creative Europe countries convened virtually for the final Next-IJ training of the year. Led by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), with support from Transcrime, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (USCS), and the Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD), this initiative aimed to strengthen cross-border reporting, enabling journalists to track financial trails, uncover hidden assets, and use open-source intelligence (OSINT) for effective and ethical research.

Programme Takeaways

Journalists participated in a full-day programme of sessions that explored a range of investigative tools and techniques, from dissecting corporate structures to handling sensitive data responsibly.

Tom Stocks, senior investigative journalist at OCCRP, opened with a session on following the money. Drawing on his expertise in illicit finance and corruption, he showed participants how to identify hidden wealth by piecing together names, dates of birth, proxies, and property records. He also highlighted the value of observing lifestyle clues and digital footprints to map money trails that might otherwise remain invisible.

The theme of responsibility was at the centre of legal and ethical data usage, led by Massimiliano Carpino of UCSC. Journalists were introduced to strategies for handling leaks and sensitive data securely, with an emphasis on reducing legal risks while maintaining the highest ethical standards in reporting.

Participants then turned to the fast-evolving world of open-source intelligence (OSINT) with OCCRP researcher Alina Tsogoeva. She provided a hands-on introduction to geolocation techniques, satellite imagery, and social media monitoring, alongside methods for tracking activity at sea and in the air—an increasingly vital skillset in global investigations.

In a session on working with public records, Antonio Baquero, investigative editor at OCCRP, reminded journalists of the power of official documents. From seemingly minor details to overlooked filings, he demonstrated how careful examination of public records can strengthen and sometimes even transform an investigation.

Finally, Oksana Stavniichuk of OCCRP guided participants through Aleph, a powerful investigative research tool. She demonstrated how the platform’s integration of public records, leaks, and structured data enables reporters to map relationships between individuals, companies, and events—revealing networks that are otherwise difficult to see.

The day underscored the growing range of resources available to investigative journalists. More importantly, it emphasised the value of combining technical know-how with ethical responsibility, ensuring that stories not only uncover the truth but also stand up to legal and public scrutiny.

What Participants Said

The training programme received highly positive reviews from participants, with many praising the programme’s practical approach to learning and its focus on different tools and methodologies.

One participant shared:

“It's my favourite type of training - all very hands-on, tools and methodology oriented, no fluff, just helpful tips and tricks and tools!”

Another participant said:

“The training was wonderful! I loved the sessions, the practical insights, and the expertise shared by all the trainers. It was highly engaging and extremely valuable for enhancing my investigative journalism skills”

Many cited Following the Money and OSINT tools sessions as the most valuable aspects of the training, with many expressing that they intend to use these tools in their current investigation projects.

Next Steps

Keeping the momentum going, participants will now be invited to apply for the first in-person Investigathon, scheduled for 14-16 January 2026, hosted by the UCSC School of Journalism in Milan. This will provide an opportunity for 30 journalists who participated in these training sessions to join a hands-on, cross-border investigative workshop where journalists collaborate around a shared topic.

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