On October 9–10, the University of Georgia’s Investigative Media Lab (IML) will host Open Black Sea 2026, the first and unprecedented festival of its kind in the region. The event will bring together investigative journalism professionals from across the Black Sea region, with the main aim of promoting environmental journalism. Over the course of two days, the international festival will unite journalists, editors, researchers, and students from the six countries of the Black Sea region: Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, and Türkiye.
The main theme of the festival is:
From Crisis to Solutions — An Investigative Path to Survival and Renewal”
What to Expect at Open Black Sea 2026?
Discussions and Real-Life Cases — including a documentary screening and a discussion around a crucial question: **What really changes after an investigation is published?
Emerging Voices Hackathon — a competition for investigative journalism ideas open to students and journalists, featuring cash prizes and follow-up editorial support.
As part of the festival, participants will sign a declaration on the establishment of the Investigative Journalism Network of the Black Sea Basin Countries. The network’s secretariat will be based at the University of Georgia.
The festival is open to journalists, editors, freelancers, students, lecturers, fact-checkers, OSINT and data specialists, representatives of civil society and international organizations, and diplomats.
Please note that the working language of the festival is English.
To participate in the festival, please complete the registration form by September 27 - https://form.jotform.com/262451949842063
