Investigate Europe is a cross-border journalism cooperative founded in 2015 and based in Berlin, Germany, operating as a legal entity since 2020. The initiative emerged from frustration with inadequate media coverage of the eurozone debt crisis, when national news outlets failed to provide contextual analysis of continent-wide economic events.
The organization brings together experienced journalists from twelve European countries—Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom—to tackle stories of European-wide significance. Its current team comprises sixteen journalists who work simultaneously on investigations, sharing findings and cross-checking facts to counteract national bias inherent in traditional reporting.
The cooperative's methodology distinguishes it from conventional journalism. Reporters conduct research as a multinational team, then adapt findings to their local contexts before publishing across regional media in native languages. This approach, sometimes described as "research once, publish 28 times," allows the organization to address complex, border-crossing issues that individual news outlets struggle to cover adequately.
Recent investigations include probes into Europe's dependence on Microsoft, the control of external borders, the exploitation of Eastern European truck drivers, and detailed examinations of companies like the oil and gas firm Perenco. The organization also pursues ongoing investigations into climate change, healthcare systems, online threats, and structural inequalities across the continent.
Funding comes from foundations including the Rudolf Augstein Foundation and Open Society Initiative for Europe, with financial management handled by Journalism Fund Europe. This structure ensures editorial independence from donors, allowing journalists to focus on investigative work rather than administrative tasks.