Amsterdam, September 2025 – Reference is delighted to welcome seven new members to its growing European network of independent, public-interest media organisations. The new members: FADA Collective (Italy), BIRC Institute (North Macedonia), Solomon (Greece), Fundacja Pismo (Poland), The Investigative Desk (Netherlands), Voxeurop (France) and The European Correspondent (Belgium) join Reference as part of the network’s ongoing commitment to strengthening cross-border journalism, collaboration, and democratic resilience across Europe.
Their arrival marks another milestone in Reference’s steady growth since its founding in 2020, reinforcing its mission to connect and support media organisations that are redefining journalism as a public good. Each new member brings a unique perspective, deep regional knowledge and a shared dedication to transparency, solidarity and independence, values at the heart of Reference.
Diverse voices, shared purpose
FADA Collective
An independent newsroom based in Rome, producing deeply reported stories that connect local realities to European challenges. Their work spans climate justice, migration, food systems and accountability. Through community engagement and creative public events (from open-air exhibitions to theatre) FADA bridges the gap between journalism and civic participation. Joining Reference, they bring a strong collaborative spirit and an ambition to strengthen press freedom and transparency in Italy’s complex media landscape.
BIRC Institute
A distinctive blend of journalism, academic research and civic engagement. Operating as a think-tank and media hub, BIRC connects journalists, NGOs and scholars to advance democratic values and media literacy. With publications in Macedonian, Albanian and English, the organisation plays a crucial role in fostering pluralism and dialogue in the Western Balkans. BIRC’s membership expands Reference’s footprint in South-Eastern Europe, reinforcing its commitment to regional balance and cross-cultural exchange.
Solomon
A women-led investigative newsroom based in Athens and Larissa. Known for in-depth reporting on migration, accountability, and environmental issues, Solomon has built a strong reputation for rigorous, cross-border investigations and collaborative journalism. In joining Reference, Solomon contributes its experience in audience trust-building, bilingual reporting, and wellbeing-centred newsroom practices, areas increasingly central to the sustainability of independent media.
Fundacja Pismo
Publisher of Pismo – Magazyn opinii, is one of Central Europe’s most respected non-profit media outlets. Blending long-form reportage, essays, fiction and photography, Pismo fosters public reflection and informed debate on the issues shaping society. Its financially stable non-profit model and loyal readership make it a model for sustainability in challenging media environments, expertise Pismo looks forward to sharing with peers across the network.
The Investigative Desk
A leading European centre for investigative journalism, renowned for its deep reporting on corporate power in sectors such as energy, chemicals, defence, and pharmaceuticals. Based in Amsterdam, the Desk operates through large-scale collaborations with media across the continent, making it a valuable addition to Reference’s collective capacity for international investigations.
Voxeurop
Europe’s first press cooperative owned by journalists, translators and readers. Operating in five languages, it curates and translates high-quality journalism across borders, providing European audiences with multilingual access to issues of shared public interest. Voxeurop’s cooperative model, technical expertise in multilingual publishing and advocacy for sustainable, independent media align perfectly with Reference’s vision of a more connected European media sphere.
The European Correspondent
This fast-growing, newsletter-first publication combines local expertise with a continental perspective through a network of over 140 correspondents. With a mission to make Europe’s decisions and dynamics accessible to readers everywhere, The European Correspondent represents the new generation of digital-native, audience-driven journalism. Its focus on accessibility, remote collaboration and community building adds valuable insight to Reference’s conversations on media innovation.
Strengthening Europe’s independent media ecosystem
The addition of these seven outlets follows the transparent membership process laid out in Reference’s growth strategy, involving peer consultation, G5 review, and member voting. Their inclusion not only broadens the network’s geographical diversity but also deepens its collective expertise across investigative reporting, long-form storytelling, translation, audience engagement, and organisational development.
Together, they represent the breadth and vitality of Europe’s independent media, from long-established newsrooms to emerging collectives, from hyperlocal investigations to cross-border collaboration. Each embodies the conviction that journalism is a cornerstone of democracy and that its future depends on cooperation, innovation and solidarity.
As Reference continues to expand, the network remains focused on creating meaningful spaces for peer learning, joint projects and shared advocacy. Welcoming new members strengthens the network’s ability to exchange knowledge, experiment with new models, and collectively advance the values of transparency, accountability and public-interest journalism.
“These seven new members bring new energy, new ideas and a wider European reach,” said Johanna Pisco, Network Coordinator. “Their commitment to collaboration and independent journalism reflects exactly what Reference stands for, working together to build a stronger media ecosystem for Europe.”
With the addition of FADA Collective, BIRC Institute, Solomon, Fundacja Pismo, The Investigative Desk, Voxeurop and The European Correspondent, Reference now unites more than thirty member organisations across Europe, a growing alliance shaping the future of independent journalism.