EU Awards for Best Investigative Journalism for 2024 in Bosnia and Herzegovina Presented at Europe House
EU Investigative Journalism Awards 2025 were presented on 2 October at a ceremony organised by Thomson Media and hosted by Europe House celebrating the outstanding achievements of investigative journalists from Bosnia and Herzegovina. This prestigious award, supported by the European Union, recognises the best investigative stories published in the previous calendar year throughout the Western Balkans region and Türkiye.
The EU Investigative Journalism Awards 2025 ceremony, hosted by Thomson Media, took place on 2 October, 2025 in Europe House, Sarajevo celebrating the outstanding achievements of investigative journalists from Bosnia and Herzegovina. This prestigious award, supported by the European Union, recognises the best investigative stories published in the previous calendar year throughout the Western Balkans region and Türkiye.
During her welcome address, Sanja Lazić, a representative of Thomson Media, shared insights into this year’s application process.
"I am extremely pleased to say that this year we received the highest total number of applications so far across the entire region. Despite the problems and pressures journalists face, this year alone, 44 applications were submitted for the competition in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and these applications in no way give the impression of a crisis in journalism," said Sanja Lazic.
Addressing the audience, Ferdinand Koenig, Head of Communication Section in the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina, emphasised the EU’s commitment to supporting independent journalism and media freedom in the region.
“Across Europe and the world, the values of the democratic world, including media freedom and freedom of expression, are under attack. I would like to pay tribute to the courage and tenacity of investigative journalists, who are at the front line in the defence of accountability, transparency, and the right to ask critical questions. Defending freedom of expression and media freedom in Europe is a high priority for the EU at this moment. President Von der Leyen recently announced a new Media Resilience Programme to support independent journalism and media literacy. Here in Bosnia and Herzegovina, European Commissioner Kos recently announced €7 million in support for civil society and media to be invested over a two year period”, said Koenig.
By the decision of an independent expert jury composed of renowned media professionals: Lejla Turčilo, Vuk Vučetić, and Davor Glavaš, the following awards were granted:
The first place award:
Jelena Jevtić, Mubarek Asani, Center for investigative reporting; Story: Where is Sara?; Gdje je Sara?
“One of the few enlisted stories that can truly be considered a fully-fledged investigative piece. It demonstrates thorough research that goes beyond desk work, provides clear context, delivers exclusive findings, and conveys an intrinsic (rather than imposed) message and conclusion”, said Turčilo
The second place award:
Dejan Rakita objavi.ba; Story: LITHIUM PROJECT: Lopare among reality, dream and nightmare; PROJEKAT LITIJUM: Lopare među javom, snom i košmarom]
“A thoroughly done analysis, with significant effort invested in collecting and presenting compelling data. The topic of great importance for individuals, local communities (and beyond), with all relevant sources consulted and presented within a well-elaborated wider context, incorporating a delicate political aspect”, said Vučetić .
The third-place award was shared by:
Dženita Čolak, Center for investigative reporting; Story: The steel wound of Zenica; Čelična rana Zenice
“A detailed analysis of an issue with a clear, direct impact on both individuals living in the immediate vicinity and the wider community. Key sources are consulted and used, most of them supported by solid—at times even undeniable—facts”, said Glavaš .
and
Predrag Blagovčanin, Tačno.net; Story: UNDP and Sarajevo Canton: How we avoided paying five million in VAT; UNDP i Kanton Sarajevo: Kako smo izbjegli plaćanje pet miliona PDV-a
“A well-documented story of clear public interest, involving a highly reputable international organization as an active actor, which is a rare situation in itself. All sources are represented, and data is thoroughly researched, an excellent piece of investigative reporting”, said Glavaš.
National winners will also have the opportunity to compete for Regional recognition, awarding the best investigative stories with regional impact, as evaluated by a separate jury. The winners of the regional competition will be announced in the last week of November in Pristina, Kosovo.
About the EU Investigative Journalism Awards
The EU Award for Investigative Journalism is organised by Thomson Media, a renowned entity committed to media development and promoting press freedom worldwide. The project is funded by the European Union, and it is implemented by a consortium composed of Balkan Investigative Reporting Network – BIRN Hub, Central European University (CEU) – Hungary, Association of Journalists (AJ) – Türkiye, Thomson Media (TM) – Germany, University Goce Delcev Stip (UGD) – North Macedonia, The Independent Union of Journalists and Media Workers (SSNM) – North Macedonia, Media Association of South-East Europe (MASE) – Montenegro and Balkan Investigative Reporting Network Kosovo (BIRN Kosovo).