Investigative Reporting Lab - IRL Macedonia

The Investigative Reporting Laboratory (IRL) is a non-profit media organization whose reporting focuses on corruption, crime and good governance. We were established in 2017 with the support of the “Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project”, a leading media organization whose partner in North Macedonia is IRL. The IRL team is recognized for its female leadership, investments in young leaders and innovative media products. Our unique strategy for maximizing the impact of investigative journalism is built through the involvement of multiple and diverse professions: our team consists of reporters, researchers, filmmakers, IT experts and visual artists. IRL is the only organization in North Macedonia that is focused on domestic and international organized crime and high corruption. The stories of our reporters have been published in the world’s most renowned media such as The Guardian, BuzzFeed, Süddeutsche Zeitung, New York Times, ProPublica, Swedish Public Service (SVT) and others. In the six years since IRL was formed, our small but dedicated team published over 80 significant projects that, with their unique storytelling approach, made a difference in the lives and everyday lives of all the citizens of North Macedonia. Our stories caused various institutional domestic and international reactions, initiated court processes, proceedings before the prosecutor’s office and the Anti Corruption Commission, as well as initiatives for changes in institutional protocols and legislation. Only in 2021, 515 thousand euros were collected in the budget of the republic from fines imposed after an investigation by the IRL, which is twice the budget of the IRL for the same year. Other stories of ours have helped to save cultural heritage or led to the demolition of illegally built buildings.