Reporting Democracy is a media platform that supports investigative journalism from and for Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe. Journalists receive fellowships for large projects and grants for small-scale research. They can also publish their reports on a cross-regional platform.

The media platform Reporting Democracy offers investigative journalists from Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe the opportunity to research topics, trends and events that influence the future of democracy in the region.

ERSTE Foundation launched Reporting Democracy together with the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) in 2019. The Fellowship for Journalistic Excellence included in the programme has existed since 2007, enabling cross-border reporting with editorial support.  

In a world of multiple crises, we are witnessing steadily growing nationalism, scepticism towards Europe, extremism, social inequality, disinformation, hatred spread through social media and fear among large parts of the population. That is why we need solidly researched facts on which to base our public debate and political decision-making as well as independent journalists drawing on their excelling training to provide these facts.  

reportingdemocracy.org