Lost in Europe

Lost in Europe is a cross-border investigative journalism network launched in 2019, created to follow stories that disappear between borders - most notably the experiences of vulnerable people moving through Europe. Rather than centring on institutions or national politics, the project places human lives at the core of its reporting, tracking what happens when responsibility is fragmented across states. The network is best known for its extensive investigations into missing migrant children, asylum systems, border practices, and the human consequences of European migration policy. Journalists from multiple countries collaborate over long periods, sharing data, sources, and findings to reconstruct stories that no single newsroom could uncover alone. Lost in Europe does not operate as a standalone publisher in the traditional sense. Instead, it functions as a collaborative reporting project, with investigations published simultaneously across partner media outlets in different countries. This approach maximises reach while preserving local relevance and editorial independence. The project is non-profit and grant-funded, relying on foundation support and journalistic partnerships rather than advertising or subscriptions. This model allows the team to focus on slow, meticulous investigations driven by public interest rather than audience metrics, making Lost in Europe a powerful example of what cross-border journalism can achieve when centred on accountability and human impact.