The Regional Forum of Investigative Journalists tackles pressing issues and explores solutions. Participants attend more than 11 training sessions, debating the challenges faced by investigative journalism—particularly those related to securing funding for investigations. "Where do you get support for your investigation idea?"—this was the key question addressed during Session II, moderated by media expert Corina Cepoi.

At the start of the session, Corina Cepoi emphasized that now more than ever, investigative journalism needs support, and external donor funding is essential for journalists to carry out their work.

Daniela Vidaicu, Soros Foundation Moldova

“Soros-Moldova is an organization many of you have worked with. Thank you very much. We encounter this question every day: What do we do about sustainability? Investigative journalism is in the public interest. Without it, I don't know how we would survive amid propaganda, online misinformation, and fake news. We must find resources to further empower investigative journalism.”

Gohar Khodjayan, International Media Support

“We’ve set many priorities in this region. It's not just about funding—we consider many aspects: resilience, ethics, and collaboration. That’s the future. We also offer legal screening to ensure investigations meet all legal standards. We're aiming for sustainable journalism, which is why it’s important to engage the public through content. We don’t offer support for the sake of support—we offer strong advice, but always remind: Don’t rely on a single donor—diversify your funding sources!”

Other speakers included Paola Gondemayta Soto from journalismfund.eu and Ludmila Andronic, Chair of the Expert Council of the Governmental Media Support Fund, who spoke about funding opportunities, eligibility conditions, and the importance of well-structured arguments to convince funders.

Ludmila Andronic, Governmental Media Support Fund

“The Governmental Fund for Media Support currently stands at 15 million lei and could potentially increase to 40 million. The Expert Council will make decisions independently, without a mandate from the Ministry of Culture. With transparency ensured, media outlets can be financed by state funds. However, the editorial offices submitting applications must meet certain standards. I support more rigorous selection criteria.”

The second edition of the Investigative Journalism Forum takes place on June 3–4 in Chișinău. Designed as a unique platform for professionals in the field, the event brings together performance and experience-sharing under one roof. This year’s forum is a regional-scale event, gathering investigative journalists from Moldova, Romania, Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia, Bulgaria, and Kyrgyzstan.

More than 100 participants and 40 moderators and internationally renowned speakers address the challenges facing the profession while also seeking tools and models that enable journalists to drive positive change in their societies—at a historically contentious time.

The Forum features 11 sessions and 5 workshops covering investigative journalism challenges, impact, and strategies for prompting reactions from authorities to issues revealed in journalistic investigations. Discussions also touch on professional solidarity, the value and impact of cross-border projects, the power of professional networks, and the role of civic activism in the context of the Russian hybrid war affecting all of Europe.

A special space is dedicated to training sessions on new tools for database documentation, including new platforms for tracking public money flows in socially sensitive areas, electoral fraud, and measuring the impact of investigations.

Other top-priority topics include the increasing risks faced by journalists, cross-border collaboration and trust-building, alliance and network creation, and strategies for investigating disinformation and propaganda.

For the first time, cybersecurity experts are available to participants, offering voluntary device checks and consultations on digital safety practices.

CIJM’s legal adviser provides ongoing consultation throughout the event, supporting journalists’ rights and offering guidance on accessing public-interest information.

On the sidelines of the forum, the Excellence in Investigative Journalism Awards will be presented. An international jury evaluated more than 35 entries, and the winners will be announced during a festive ceremony on the first day of the Forum.

The second edition of the Regional Investigative Journalism Forum is organized with the support of International Media Support (Denmark), Soros Foundation Moldova, and TacticalTech (Berlin).

Event partners include StarNet, Rezident.NGO, the Faculty of International Relations and Journalism at ULIM, and the companies Azuga, VitaPharm, Gitana, and Nivalli.