A practical guide to joint investigations: lessons learned from one year of the Civic Journalism Coalition
One year ago, EDRi, European Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ECNL) and Lighthouse Reports launched the Civic Journalism Coalition with the aim of connecting investigative journalists with digital rights and civil society organisations. Today, that partnership is yielding tangible results, from journalistic investigations to a new practical guide for collaboration. Here is an overview of the activities - investigations, workshops and community-building efforts - that have shaped the Coalition.
A practical guide emerges from one year of work
The Civic Journalism Coalition (CJC), led by EDRi, European Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ECNL) and Lighthouse Reports, was launched in February 2025 to bridge the gap between investigative journalism and civil society advocacy across Europe. The coalition brings together journalists, researchers, and civil society to share knowledge, shape advocacy actions and collaborate on investigations related to digital rights, from surveillance to algorithmic accountability. Over the past year, it has fostered a community of 50+ professionals trying to make collaboration more practical, ethical and effective.
The CJC is now publishing ‘Working the story together: a practical guide to joint investigations’, a resource that consolidates the lessons learned from the investigations that emerged from the project. It also provides practical recommendations for journalists and CSOs on how to collaborate, from deciding the topic, dividing roles, setting objectives and agreeing on communications outputs – with a transversal focus on how to include affected communities. The guide includes tools, checklists, and field insights, offering a blueprint for CSO-media partnerships that respect independence, credibility and the voices of affected communities.
An in-person workshop held in October 2025 brought together CJC subgrantees to share experiences and collectively shape the guide. The workshop highlighted the importance of trust, transparency, and complementary expertise in collaborative investigations.
Working the story together: a practical guide to joint investigations
This guide gathers the collective principles and practical lessons for journalists and civil society organisations (CSOs) engaging in joint projects, including investigations, advocacy, and campaigns. Its content is based on the experiences of the members of the Civic Journalism Coalition.
Explore the guideSix investigations shining a light on digital threats
Through a sub-granting programme, the Coalition awarded six grants totalling 44.000€, with individual awards ranging from 6.000€ to 8.000€. These six investigations shed light on pressing digital rights challenges across Europe:
Irpi Media’s investigation reveals how supposedly “independent” Italian far-right influencers – and particularly the media project Esperia Italia – are in fact embedded in networks linked to political communication figures close to the Meloni government in a coordinated operation to influence public discourse.
- Read the investigation: Chi c’è dietro gli “influencer indipendenti” della destra sovranista
The investigation shows how the RisCanvi risk-assessment algorithm, used in Catalonia’s prison system since 2010, is now being used recklessly by judicial actors. The use of this algorithm hinders vulnerable inmates’ access to paroles, permits and other prison benefits.
Read about the investigation:
- Main article: RisCanvi’s impact on vulnerable inmates rights
- Documentary: Video piece with the main findings of the investigations
- Technical analysis: An analysis of the algorithm details and its coming new version
- Expert interview: An interview on algorithmic fairness
The investigation reveals that citizenship applications in Italy are increasingly denied on vague “state security” grounds, based on unchallengeable assessments that might be driven by opaque algorithms. This leaves applicants without effective means to defend their rights. The investigation also exposed the total lack of transparency of Italian authorities on this matter.
- Read the investigation: La cittadinanza a ostacoli dei presunti colpevoli di «pericolosità»
The investigation focused on how the Czech Department of Health handles compensation for victims of illegal forced sterilisation. In particular, the analysis explored how the lack of possibility to access files or request compensation digitally impacts victims, especially older women from small towns belonging to the Roma community. The findings show poor management of claims as well as insufficient transparency around the process, hindering the rights of affected people.
Read about the investigation:
- Legal analysis of the Ministry of Health’s Freedom of Information (FOI) practices in compensation cases for unlawful sterilisations
- Interview on Romea.cz presenting the analysis and its implications
- Podcast episode discussing the barriers to transparency and their impact on victims
Building community through workshops and events
Beyond funding investigations, the coalition organised four online workshops to bridge connections between civil society and journalists. The first one was devoted to protecting journalists from spyware and dealing with spyware investigations while the second discussed, with legal and tech specialists, how journalistic investigations’ outcomes can be useful to feed into strategic litigation, and countering SLAPPs. A third session gave practical tools to journalists on how to hold Big Tech accountable through the Digital Services Act data access mechanism gave participants practical skills for requesting data from platforms. Finally, the last one explored best practices for collaboration that fed into the guide.
The CJC also took part in events like the International Journalism Festival and DataHarvest in Mechelen. These gatherings allowed us to build community, meet coalition members, present the CJC and the subgranting scheme, and participate in debates on digital rights.
Looking ahead: sustaining collaboration
The coalition has grown into a community of 50+ professionals from media and civil society organisations, from big and reknown investigative outlets to freelance journalists, and from big iNGOs to grassroots organisations. While its formal funding period has concluded, the network will continue as a coordination group to provide support on digital rights and facilitate collaborative investigations, as the relationships forged over the last year remain active and productive. EDRi and ECNL will continue engaging with policymakers and raising awareness about surveillance and press freedom threats.
Explore the guide for joint investigations, reach out to coalition members for collaboration, and, most importantly: support independent investigative journalism that serves the public interest, which is more important than ever.
If you would like to know more, contact Aljosa Ajanovic Andelic, Policy Advisor, EDRi at
Read more about the Civic Journalism Coalition: Building bridges for digital rights: The Civic Journalism Coalition
EDRi, European Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ECNL) and Lighthouse Reports established the Civic Journalism Coalition thanks to Allianz Foundation’s ‘Fixing what’s broken’ call.
