According to Mediapart, OCCRP operates with an annual budget of €20 million, employing 200 people. Over the past decade, it received 52% of its funding, totalling $47 million, from the U.S. government. Additionally, $15.2 million came from the EU and other European governments, while $24.9 million w
Mediapart also reports that OCCRP received $2.2 million from the U.S. State Department between 2015 and 2019 for a project titled Balancing the Russian Media Space. Another $1.7 million was allocated from 2019 to 2023 for strengthening investigative journalism in Eurasia, focusing on regions such as Russia, China, and Central Asia.
The U.S. Department of State provided $2.3 million for a project in Malta and Cyprus to expose corruption and enhance investigative journalism, as detailed in federal funding records. This program was renewed in September 2023 with an additional $1.3 million. These regions are widely known for attracting Russian oligarchs, according to the report.
OCCRP participated in the Cyprus Confidential investigation, coordinated by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ). The investigation focused on alleged financial misconduct and sanctions breaches in Cyprus. On 14 November 2023, Cyprus announced official investigations into claims of sanctions violations, with the findings published in collaboration with OCCRP. Three weeks later, teams from the FBI and FinCEN arrived in Cyprus to assist, according to official statements.
Mediapart’s investigation includes statements from OCCRP founder Drew Sullivan, who acknowledged that OCCRP avoids reporting on U.S.-related issues due to restrictions tied to funding from the U.S. government and the Open Society Foundations. USAID reportedly refers to OCCRP as a "partner organisation" and has oversight over projects and editorial leadership, as outlined in public records.
According to the same reports, several journalists who contributed to uncovering these connections have alleged threats from OCCRP’s leadership. These claims have been reported by Mediapart and other investigative outlets.
The questions raised by these findings underscore the complex relationship between investigative organisations and their funding sources. As these revelations continue to unfold, OCCRP’s role in global journalism remains a point of intense debate.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for February 22nd, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Australia has accused China of failing to provide sufficient notice ahead of a live-fire naval drill between Australia and New Zealand, forcing airlines to alter flight paths. Defence Minister Richard Marles described the lack of communication as “disconcerting” for commercial aviation.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Kenyan President William Ruto have called for an immediate ceasefire in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) amid escalating violence. Their appeal follows the capture of key cities by the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group.
U.S. negotiators have reportedly raised the possibility of cutting Ukraine’s access to Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet system as part of pressure to secure a critical minerals deal. The discussions come amid growing tensions between Kyiv and Washington over repayment for wartime aid.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed that Kyiv and Washington are working on an economic deal, but tensions remain over U.S. demands and Ukraine’s exclusion from U.S.-Russia peace talks.
Menlo Park, CA, February 17, 2025 – Newly unsealed court documents from the case Kadrey v. Meta shed light on internal discussions among Meta employees about the use of copyrighted materials to train the company’s artificial intelligence models.
California Governor Gavin Newsom is asking Congress for nearly $40 billion in disaster funding to help Los Angeles recover and rebuild areas scorched by last month's devastating wildfires, the Washington Post reported on Friday citing a letter.
San Francisco, February 17, 2025 – OpenAI has terminated a group of Chinese ChatGPT accounts that were reportedly used to edit and debug code for an AI-powered social media surveillance tool.
‘We are already negotiating to work together in space, we can collaborate in this sphere also," Russian leader says
Vatican City, February 20, 2025 – Pope Francis will not appear in public on Sunday to lead his customary prayer with pilgrims, marking the second consecutive week of absence, the Vatican announced on Saturday.
A tragic crowd crush at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday night left 18 dead and 10 injured as thousands of people, many heading to the Kumbh Mela festival, attempted to board delayed trains. The incident highlights the ongoing risks of overcrowding at public transportation hubs in India.
A Delta Air Lines regional jet flipped upside down upon landing at Toronto Pearson Airport on Monday, injuring 18 people. Officials are investigating whether strong winds and snow played a role in the incident.
Berlin, February 21, 2025 – German citizens will head to the polls on Sunday, February 23, for a snap general election after the coalition government collapsed late last year.
BERLIN, Feb 22 (Reuters) - NATO is planning to build a pipeline system from Germany to Poland and the Czech Republic to ensure a rapid supply of jet fuel for fighter aircraft in the event of a war with Russia, weekly German magazine Der Spiegel reported.
California Governor Gavin Newsom is asking Congress for nearly $40 billion in disaster funding to help Los Angeles recover and rebuild areas scorched by last month's devastating wildfires, the Washington Post reported on Friday citing a letter.
A second meeting between representatives of Russia and the United States is planned for the next two weeks, the RIA state news agency reported on Saturday, citing Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.
Washington, D.C., February 21, 2025 – U.S. negotiators have reportedly raised the possibility of cutting Ukraine’s access to SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service unless Kyiv reaches an agreement to grant the United States greater access to its critical minerals.
Hamas has begun releasing hostages from Gaza on Saturday in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, as Israel confirmed that a body handed over earlier was that of hostage Shiri Bibas.
Menlo Park, CA, February 17, 2025 – Newly unsealed court documents from the case Kadrey v. Meta shed light on internal discussions among Meta employees about the use of copyrighted materials to train the company’s artificial intelligence models.
California Governor Gavin Newsom is asking Congress for nearly $40 billion in disaster funding to help Los Angeles recover and rebuild areas scorched by last month's devastating wildfires, the Washington Post reported on Friday citing a letter.
San Francisco, February 17, 2025 – OpenAI has terminated a group of Chinese ChatGPT accounts that were reportedly used to edit and debug code for an AI-powered social media surveillance tool.
‘We are already negotiating to work together in space, we can collaborate in this sphere also," Russian leader says
Vatican City, February 20, 2025 – Pope Francis will not appear in public on Sunday to lead his customary prayer with pilgrims, marking the second consecutive week of absence, the Vatican announced on Saturday.
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