# Open Call Announcement: Join the Next-IJ Cross-Border Investigative Training Program!

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🔥Are you ready to take your investigative skills to the next level? 🔥\
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Join [OCCRP](https://www.occrp.org/en/about-us) and [Transcrime](https://www.transcrime.it/en/who-we-are/)-Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore for an intensive one-day online training designed for mid-level journalists who want to advance their reporting. Led by industry experts, this practical session provides a deep dive into the latest tools, techniques, and cross-border strategies used by leading investigative reporters.

### ⏳ **Deadline: 9 June 2025 (Now closed)**

*Spots are limited, though if you're eligible but not selected for this round, you may be invited to join one of our future training sessions **(Friday, 18 July 2025 and Saturday, 20 September 2025)***

### **What to Expect**

📅 When: **Thursday, 26 June 2025**

📌Where: **Online**

You’ll learn how to:&#x20;

🔍 Follow the money

🕵️ Track assets across borders

🏢 Uncover hidden corporate ownership

📊 Navigate and analyse complex datasets using [Aleph](https://aleph.occrp.org/) and [DATACROS](https://www.transcrime.it/datacros/)

⚖️ Handle data in a legal and ethical way

Whether you're digging into financial crime, political corruption, or global trafficking networks, this training will sharpen your skills and expand your investigative toolkit.

### Who Can Apply

We’re looking for mid-career professionals working in journalism (freelancers are encouraged to apply) who meet the following criteria:

* **Location**: Applicants must be based in or professionally affiliated with a [Creative Europe](https://culture.ec.europa.eu/creative-europe) country (EU member states plus Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Armenia, and Tunisia).
* **Background**: Applicants who have a strong background in investigative journalism, data journalism, and/or in-depth reporting. Participation in investigative projects will be considered a plus.&#x20;
* **Inclusion**: We actively encourage applications from individuals of all genders and from underrepresented communities to foster a diverse and inclusive network.
* **Language Proficiency**: Applicants should have a professional working proficiency in English.

**Please note**: Journalism students are not eligible unless otherwise indicated in your application (i.e., an experienced journalist seeking a higher degree, etc.).&#x20;

### What You’ll Need to Apply

To apply, please submit:

* A brief statement of interest (150-200 words)
* Your CV
* A description of the investigative topics or cross-border issues you are currently exploring or interested in (100-150 words).
* 1-3 writing samples or links to previously published works.

### **What You’ll Gain**

* **Advanced investigative training**: Focused on the latest technologies and ethical considerations.
* **Mentorship**: Guidance from OCCRP’s global network of editors and reporters.
* **Certification:** An official OCCRP-issued certificate upon successful completion.
* **Networking**: Access to a growing network of peers working on impactful stories.
* **A chance to attend an Investigathon in Milan**: Selected participants will be eligible to attend an in-person Investigathon in Milan – more details to follow.

### About Next-IJ

Next-Level Data and Tools for Investigative Journalism ([Next-IJ](https://next-ij.eu)) is an EU-supported initiative designed to offer new, innovative training solutions for investigative reporting by equipping journalists with cutting-edge tools, advanced data analysis capabilities, and enhanced cross-border collaboration networks. &#x20;

Next-IJ will be organising three training sessions this year aimed at empowering European journalists, newsrooms, and media outlets with a combination of advanced tools (including artificial intelligence), data, training, legal and ethical guidance, and hands-on investigation opportunities to uncover and investigate corruption and organised and financial crime in multilateral cooperation and partnerships.  &#x20;

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your skills and collaborate with fellow investigative journalists!

***

### <mark style="color:blue;">About Next-IJ Partners</mark>

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.transcrime.it/en/) – through the  Joint Research Centre on Innovation and Crime ([Transcrime](https://www.transcrime.it/)) and the School of Journalism – and the [ Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD).](https://gfmd.info/) The initiative is supported by the[ European Education  and Culture Executive Agency](https://www.eacea.ec.europa.eu/index_en) (EECEA) of the European Commission.

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