Empowering journalists

Since 2015, GRID-Arendal has been supporting investigative environmental journalism. We see it as an important task to expose environmental crime and drive accountability. The Investigative Environmental Journalism Grants program, funded by Norad, has supported journalists worldwide. By providing not only financial grants but also technical and capacity-building support, GRID-Arendal’s initiative has helped transform how environmental crime stories are uncovered and communicated around the world.

History of impact

In 2015, the grant program’s first year, two experimental grants supported investigative reporting on environmental crime. The initiative was conceived at the Global Investigative Journalist Network (GIJN) conference in Lillehammer, Norway. It was a joint initiative between GRID-Arendal and Aftenposten, in discussion with David Kaplan, the GIJN Director at the time.

These grants achieved three key objectives:

Empowered environmental journalists to investigate critical topics, providing financial support for travel and research expenses while strengthening their skills,
Gathered valuable case studies and research on environmental crime, and
Expanded the reach and impact of GRID-Arendal’s Environmental Crime Programme.

Additionally, the grants boosted outreach efforts by increasing the visibility of compelling, science-backed stories for broader audiences.

Growing Reach, Expanding Impact

Over the years, the program has scaled both in size and impact. From supporting just two journalists in 2015, by 2023, the initiative hit a new milestone, supporting seven investigations and receiving over 250 proposals – more than double the previous year – underscoring its rising influence in amplifying environmental crime stories. GRID-Arendal continues to work with journalists and support project partners by providing journalist training, offering travel grants, and sharing valuable science-based information.

Mara planks siezed from wood pirates in Amboro National Park. Roman Vitron.

The World’s Thirst for Palm Oil Is About To Destroy Asia’s Largest Remaining Rainforest. Peter Yeung.

The Argentine Chaco. Julián Reingold and Ignacio Conese.

Images from winner investigations

Technical Support and Capacity Building

The project has focused not only on financial support, but also on providing technical assistance to investigative journalists. Building connections with relevant organizations and journalism networks to raise awareness about the grant and keep environmental issues firmly on the agenda have been equally important.

Since 2015, the program has demonstrated how targeted financial and technical support can equip investigative journalists to expose environmental crime. As the initiative concludes, it leaves behind a model of impactful, cost-effective grantmaking that has elevated critical stories and reinforced the essential role of journalism in addressing environmental and nature crime.

The achievements of the Investigative Environmental Journalism Grants program are multifaceted:

Global Impact: The investigations have shone a light on the intricate and often hidden networks that drive environmental crime, contributing to a broader understanding of how such crimes undermine ecosystems and human livelihoods.
Catalyst for Change: Many of the investigations have led to actionable insights, fueling debates and policy discussions that translate public awareness into tangible measures against environmental crime.
Capacity Building: By consistently supporting high-quality investigative work, the grant project has built a pool of expert journalists who serve as watchdogs for environmental accountability. Their work not only informs the public but also strengthens the tools and frameworks needed to prevent further environmental degradation.

Some examples of the outreach achieved by the stories supported by the grant program:

International editions

Newsweek: The investigation into illegal gold mining in Colombia appeared in Newsweek, reaching an international audience and drawing attention to environmental and human rights issues abroad.
Reuters: A story on illegal logging in a Kenyan national park was published by Reuters, highlighting how environmental exploitation affects both nature and local communities.
Mongabay: Several investigations have been published by Mongabay. Examples include reports on illegal logging in Bolivian national parks as well as initiatives to save the Argentine Chaco. Mongabay’s global reach has helped amplify these findings across many regions.
CNN: CNN ran the investigation on pollution crimes and the economic impact in Abu Qir Bay, placing the story in a broader international context.
Al Jazeera: The report on avocado cultivation and illegal logging in Mexico was published by Al Jazeera, an outlet known for its in-depth global reporting.

National Editions

The Standard (Zimbabwe): A report on illegal coal mining in Zimbabwe was published by The Standard—a national outlet that brought regional focus to environmental issues impacting local industries and communities.
Mutante (Colombia): Reflecting on issues of environmental militantism and gender persecution, Mutante (a Colombian platform) published investigations that resonated with national audiences and local policymakers.
SaharaReporters (Nigeria): Investigations into illegal charcoal exploitation were featured by SaharaReporters, ensuring that local voices in Nigeria were heard and that regional impacts were documented.
Express Tribune (Pakistan): A piece on the illegal wildlife trade of pangolins was published by the Express Tribune, a leading news outlet in Pakistan with both national and international editions.
Revista LATE (Colombia): A story on the illegal mercury trade was published in Revista LATE, highlighting how specialized journalism in local formats can complement international investigative efforts.
TCM: An investigation into plastic and climate change impacts in Pakistan appeared in TCM, further underscoring the program’s impact on national media narratives.
Information is Power: Reporting on how illegal poaching finances militias in the DRC-Uganda region was featured by Information is Power, demonstrating the power of investigative journalism in unmasking cross-border environmental crimes.

Achievements and Relevance

Through our Investigative Environmental Journalism Grants, GRID-Arendal has empowered journalists worldwide with training, resources, and science-based insights. By enabling impactful investigations—from illegal mining in Colombia to pollution crimes in Egypt—we have helped place critical environmental stories in leading outlets such as CNN, Reuters, Al Jazeera, and Mongabay, as well as influential national media. This work strengthens journalism as a watchdog against environmental crime and ensures global visibility for issues that matter.

We wish to thank all the journalists who have worked with us over the years, and we look forward to continuing this collaboration with the next iteration of GRID-Arendal’s journalist support activities!