Winning allies, unlocking funds

- How journalists can advocate for support from global finance institutions

Venue: Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Jalan Pinang, Kuala Lumpur City Centre 50088 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Room 410

Date: Friday, November 21st 2025

Time: 5:00pm – 6:15pm

Registration: due to limited room capacity to attend please register here.

Session focus:

The session will focus on strategies and tactics for arguing for strengthening the capacity of investigative journalists and media organisations to combat illicit finance by:

• Exploring new approaches and strategies for funding investigative journalism, including innovative sources beyond traditional donors.

• Examining modalities for collective action within the investigative journalism community, including collaboration across networks, joint initiatives, donor engagement strategies, shared advocacy tools, and collective documentation of investigative impact.

• Identifying major gaps in models of current funding, advocacy, and collaborative approaches, and proposing actionable solutions.

• Linking investigative journalism to FFD4 Outcome Document commitments and follow-up activities.

• Discussing tools, case studies, and strategies to engage states, international organisations, and donors in supporting investigative journalism.

Who should attend: This session is particularly relevant for journalists, investigative media networks, and media support organisations working on IFFs, transparency, accountability, and public engagement in development financing.

This working meeting builds on the Financing for Development Conference (FFD4) and its final Outcome Document, the Sevilla Commitment, which recognizes the media’s essential role in exposing illicit financial flows (IFFs). FFD4 was a pivotal global policy process addressing transparency, accountability, and public engagement in development financing. Our community successfully advocated for recognition of the media’s role and the resources needed to support it.

Draft agenda

Moderator: Mira Milosevic, Executive Director, Global Forum for Media Development

Time	Segment	Description & speakers
5:00–5:05	Welcome & session overview	Outline session objectives.
5:05–5:15	Using policy processes to advance investigative journalism	Explore how global policy frameworks, including FFD4 commitments, can support advocacy for investigative journalism and how can existing funders support this work.
5:15–5:40	Discussion topic: Where is the funding for investigative journalism?	Explore innovative approaches to support investigative journalism, including strategies for securing both traditional and non-traditional donor support. Participants share experiences and lessons learned.
5:40–6:05	Discussion topic: Collective issues require collective approaches	Discuss how investigative journalism networks can work together to advocate for increased funding. Explore collaborative strategies such as donor engagement toolkits, joint initiatives, op-eds, and investigative journalism impact repositories.
6:05–6:15	Key takeaways & closing reflections	Summarise key insights, actions, and next steps for collective advocacy.