This grant programme aims to enable independent journalistic investigations into the exploitation of Asian victims of human trafficking and forced labour in Europe.

Cross-border teams of professional journalists can apply for a grant to cover working time and/or expenses to investigate, document and expose aspects and cases of forced labour, cross-continental trafficking and other issues related to the exploitation of Asian victims in Europe.

Next to a grant, teams can also apply for a mentor to provide assistance with either the focus of the investigation or the need for competences in a specific skill.

Unveiling modern slavery

40 million people are estimated to be trapped in modern slavery worldwide. Modern slavery can take various forms of exploitation, including human trafficking, forced labour, sexual exploitation, forced marriage, debt bondage, etc. Although it is widespread, modern slavery is often hidden. "The human trafficking story is one of the most challenging, complex and ethically testing assignments for journalists and editors", Aidan White writes in Hidden from view: Reporting on human trafficking and modern slavery, published in February 2021 by the Thomson Foundation.

With this programme Journalismfund Europe therefore wants to stimulate collaborations to document this phenomenon and disseminate the investigation results to the general public. In that manner it contributes to the enabling of a well-informed debate by citizens and policy makers, which is a precondition for a healthy democracy.

Next to a grant and mentoring programme, the Modern Slavery Unveiled project also entails training programme for investigative journalists and civil society organisations.

For the deployment of this project Journalismfund Europe will collaborate with several partners, in particular with the Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN). The project is supported by Porticus.

More info and applications

To apply or to learn more about the eligibility and assessment criteria, timing, jury and grant conditions, visit our application platform. Find stories supported by this grant programme here.

Looking for a teammate to collaborate?

Here are some tips on how to find investigative journalists in other countries to team up with.

For Who
Europe and Asia

Teams of professional journalists from Eurasia are eligible to apply.

Team members from other continents are eligible as well, as long as the investigation focuses on an aspect of how Asian victims of forced labour are exploited in continental Europe.

How Much
€320.000

The Modern Slavery Unveiled grant programme will distribute in total €320.000 over 5 application rounds.

The total available amount to be distributed per call will be €80.000.

The programme is supported by Porticus.

Next deadline
TBC

Modern Slavery Unveiled had in total 5 application rounds, with an average interval of 6 months. The last deadline was on 16 February 2023.