Money Trail created the work grant programme for (teams of) African, Asian and European journalists to investigate cross-border illicit financial flows, tax abuse money laundering and corruption in Africa, Asia and Europe.
The grants are awarded exclusively to journalists by Journalismfund.eu, without any input or oversight at any stage from the consortium as a whole. The main aim of this grant is to expose illicit finance, tax abuse, corruption and money laundering.
The aim of the Journalismfund.eu Grant Programmes is to facilitate investigative, cross-border and independent journalism in order to promote democracy in Europe, connecting donors and journalists without putting journalists' independence at risk. The project will be one that, in principle, could not be realised within the realm of regular journalism - a project of great credibility and depth that is simultaneously original, innovative and time-consuming.
Money Trail is a collaborative project between highly regarded journalism and training organisations Journalismfund.eu, Finance Uncovered and Free Press Unlimited and Oxfam Novib.
Why the money trail?
- The Money Trail exists because countries around the world lose billions of dollars to tax abuse, money laundering and grand corruption. Investigative journalism is key to combating this situation. Such work can clearly have a tremendous impact. Brilliant reporting by journalists and some notable civil society organisations has resulted in revenue authorities and enforcement agencies recovering desperately needed funds. Politicians have been forced to act.
- There are so many stories around the world yet to be told. This is your chance to help tell them.
Financing Information
- The total amount per call is around 50,000 euros: this is distributed between different projects. The money comes from the Dutch postcode Loterij.
What can the grant money be used for?
- Grants can cover working time and out-of-pocket expenses, such as travel, visas, accommodation, translation, fixers, access to payment databases, applications for was, legal screening, etc.
- Only freelance journalists can apply for a grant to cover their working time. Employed journalists can only apply for a work grant if they can provide a reason and prove that they are not receiving any salary for their time working on this project.
- The following expenses cannot be covered by subsidies: investment goods (such as IT equipment, mobile phones, software, etc.), production costs, food and drink, per diems, etc.
Who can apply?
- Teams of intercontinental journalists from Africa, Asia and Europe.
- Collaborations regional cross-border Africa and Asia.
- Exceptional proposals for individual journalists of Africa and Asia whose story includes an offshore element in a national story - where the money trail leads to a tax haven - can be accepted.
- European journalists planning to run for office must collaborate with a African or Asian journalist.
- Foreign correspondents in Africa or Asia must collaborate with local journalists.
Eligibility criteria
- Only natural persons are eligible for a grant. Depending on the Grant Programme restrictions may be made based on the applicant's residence.
- The applicant must be working as a professional journalist. In addition, references from individuals (editors, publishers, journalists, professors) and/or references to previous work are essential. Journalismfund.eu reserves the right to contact references (while respecting the confidentiality of the proposal).
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