# Second Next-IJ Cross-Border Investigative Training (22 April 2026)

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## <mark style="color:blue;">**NOW OPEN: Applications for the April Edition of the Next-IJ Cross-Border Investigative Training!**</mark>

🔥 Sharpen your cross-border investigative skills through expert-led, hands-on sessions designed for collaborative journalism during the second Next-IJ training of the year

Join us for a free, full-day intensive online training session tailored for European mid-career journalists tackling complex, cross-border investigations.

&#x20;**📅 Wednesday, 22 April 2026**

&#x20;**🕘 09:15–17:00 CEST**

**📍Online**

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### &#x20;**📝 Application Deadline: 17 April 2026**

&#x20;🔗 Apply now:<https://form.jotform.com/260533133355349>
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### Who Can Apply

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

1. **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).&#x20;

❗*Please note that the U.K., Switzerland, and Türkiye are **NOT** current members of Creative Europe.*

2. **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.

❗*Please note that journalism students are **NOT** eligible unless otherwise indicated in your application (i.e., an experienced journalist seeking a higher degree, etc.).*

3. **Inclusion**: We actively encourage applications from individuals of all genders and from underrepresented communities to foster a diverse and inclusive network.
4. **Language Proficiency**: Applicants should have a professional working proficiency in English.

### What You’ll Need to Apply

To complete your application, please submit:

* A short statement of interest (150-200 words)
* Your CV
* A brief description of the investigative topics or cross-border issues you are currently working on or interested in (100-150 words)
* 1-3 links to published work

### Why Apply?

Delivered by investigative experts from the [Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP)](https://www.occrp.org/en) and [Transcrime – Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore](https://www.transcrime.it/en/), the training focuses on the latest techniques, tools, and cross-border strategies used in real-world investigations. You’ll learn how to:

🔍 Follow the money

🕵️ Track assets across borders

🏢 Uncover hidden corporate ownership

📊 Navigate and analyse complex datasets using [Aleph Pro](https://aleph.occrp.org/) and [DATACROS](https://www.datacros3.com/)

⚖️ Handle data in a legal and ethical way

Whether you’re chasing complex financial trails or uncovering international corruption, this programme will sharpen your skills and expand your investigative toolkit.

### 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 in-person Investigathon:** Selected participants will be eligible to attend an in-person live collaborative investigation event – 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.*

*Next-IJ is 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;

### *Partners*

*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) – 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 (*[*EECEA*](https://www.eacea.ec.europa.eu/index_en)*) of the European Commission.*

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