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.
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:
Additionally, the grants boosted outreach efforts by increasing the visibility of compelling, science-backed stories for broader audiences.
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.
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:
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!
© 2026 GRID-Arendal
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