Questions Arise Over OCCRP's Independence and Funding

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.
 

Copied