Deadline: 19-Jul-2026
The National Investigative Journalism Competition recognizes outstanding investigative journalism in Ukraine focused on socio-political issues and documentation of war crimes during Russia’s war against Ukraine. It awards up to €1,000 per category (in hryvnia equivalent) and accepts investigative works published between 21 July 2025 and 19 July 2026 in Ukrainian media.
What is the National Investigative Journalism Competition?
The National Investigative Journalism Competition is a Ukrainian journalism award that honors high-impact investigative reporting on issues of public importance.
It focuses on two main areas:
- Socio-political investigations exposing corruption, abuse of power, and systemic wrongdoing
- Investigations documenting war crimes committed during Russia’s war against Ukraine
The competition highlights journalism that contributes to public accountability, transparency, and documentation of human rights violations.
Programme Overview
- Name: National Investigative Journalism Competition
- Country Focus: Ukraine
- Field: Investigative journalism
- Submission Period: 21 July 2025 – 19 July 2026
- Prize Value: €1,000 per category (in hryvnia equivalent)
- Format Accepted: Text, video, audio, multimedia
- Language/Media: Ukrainian media publications
Competition Categories
1. Best Socio-Political Investigation
This category includes investigations focused on:
- Corruption and misuse of public resources
- Abuse within military structures
- Criminal offenses and organized crime
- International financial or political schemes
- Public trials and legal proceedings
- Other issues of public significance
This category highlights investigations that expose systemic wrongdoing affecting society and governance.
2. Investigation of War Crimes
This category focuses on documenting violations of international humanitarian law during Russia’s war against Ukraine.
It includes investigations into:
- Deliberate attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure
- Torture and ill-treatment
- Unlawful detention or deprivation of liberty
- Deportation and forced displacement
- Enforced disappearances
- Use of prohibited weapons or methods of warfare
- Persecution of civilians in occupied territories
- Other documented war crimes
This category emphasizes evidence-based reporting that contributes to accountability and justice.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible submissions must meet the following conditions:
- Must be investigative journalism work
- Must be published in Ukrainian media
- Publication period: 21 July 2025 – 19 July 2026
- Accepted formats:
- Text articles
- Video investigations
- Audio reports
- Multimedia journalism
Additional requirements:
- Each journalist may submit only one work
- Work must be original and professionally produced
- Content must align with one of the two categories
Awards and Recognition
Socio-Political Investigation Category
- Prize: Proxy Prize statuette
- Cash award: €1,000 (hryvnia equivalent)
- Recognition for impactful investigative reporting on public interest issues
War Crimes Investigation Category
- Prize: Diploma
- Cash award: €1,000 (hryvnia equivalent)
- Recognition for documenting international humanitarian law violations
Evaluation Process
Submitted works are evaluated by a professional jury consisting of:
- Ukrainian investigative journalists
- Editors from leading media organisations
- Subject-matter experts
Evaluation criteria typically include:
- Public impact
- Depth of investigation
- Evidence quality
- Originality
- Relevance to category themes
- Journalistic integrity
Objectives of the Competition
The competition aims to:
- Promote high-quality investigative journalism
- Strengthen media accountability in Ukraine
- Document war-related human rights violations
- Expose corruption and abuse of power
- Support transparency and rule of law
- Encourage professional investigative reporting standards
Why This Competition Matters
Investigative journalism plays a critical role in:
- Ensuring public accountability
- Documenting war crimes for justice processes
- Exposing corruption and misuse of power
- Supporting democratic transparency
- Preserving evidence of human rights violations
This competition strengthens the role of journalists as key actors in truth documentation and public oversight.
How the Competition Works
Step 1: Publication of investigation
Journalists publish investigative work in recognized Ukrainian media during the eligibility period.
Step 2: Submission
Eligible journalists submit their work to the competition.
Step 3: Jury evaluation
A panel of experts reviews submissions based on quality and relevance.
Step 4: Selection of winners
Winners are selected in each category.
Step 5: Award recognition
Winners receive cash prizes and official recognition.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants often fail due to:
- Submitting work outside the eligibility period
- Submitting more than one entry
- Lack of investigative depth
- Weak evidence or sourcing
- Incorrect category selection
- Non-Ukrainian media publication
- Incomplete submission details
Tips for Strong Submissions
To improve chances of winning:
- Focus on strong evidence-based reporting
- Ensure clear investigative methodology
- Provide well-documented sources
- Highlight public impact of findings
- Choose the correct category carefully
- Maintain journalistic ethics and accuracy
- Present complex issues in a structured narrative
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who can apply for the competition?
Professional journalists who have published investigative work in Ukrainian media.
What is the prize amount?
Each category offers a prize of €1,000 (in hryvnia equivalent) plus recognition awards.
What formats are accepted?
Text, video, audio, and multimedia investigative journalism formats.
What is the eligibility period for submissions?
Only works published between 21 July 2025 and 19 July 2026 are eligible.
How many works can each journalist submit?
Each journalist may submit only one investigative work.
What topics are eligible?
Socio-political investigations and investigations into war crimes committed during Russia’s war against Ukraine.
How are winners selected?
A jury of Ukrainian journalists, editors, and experts evaluates submissions based on quality, impact, and relevance.
Conclusion
The National Investigative Journalism Competition is a major recognition platform for investigative journalists in Ukraine, highlighting both socio-political accountability reporting and documentation of war crimes. By rewarding impactful journalism with financial prizes and public recognition, the competition strengthens transparency, supports justice efforts, and promotes high-quality investigative reporting in a critical geopolitical context.
For more information, visit Public Space.
