The resilience of organisations rests on people who are skilled, supported, and able to work safely. Through our Learning, Wellbeing and Security Initiative, Civitates invests directly in the individuals and teams at the heart of our grant-making, recognising that strong internal capacities, good mental health, and robust security practices are essential for sustaining those working on the frontlines of protecting democracy over the long-term.
In 2025, Civitates provided up to EUR 5,000 per eligible grantee to respond flexibly to our grantee partners’ learning, well‑being, and security needs. These small grants enable organisations to strengthen skills and knowledge through training, exchanges, research, and joint learning initiatives; enhance well‑being through mental health support, team retreats, resilience‑building, and inclusive workplace practices; and improve security through audits, training, software and hardware, protocol development, and physical protection measures.
Together, these grants help organisations remain healthy, connected, and secure in increasingly challenging contexts. The following examples illustrate how grantees have used this support to build resilience in practice.
Civio Strengthens Investigative Capacity at Dataharvest 2025 and Launches Team Wellbeing Initiative
Civio used the Learning, Wellbeing and Security grant to bolster its investigative capabilities and newsroom wellbeing, beginning with participating in the European Investigative Journalism Conference – Dataharvest 2025, one of Europe’s leading gatherings for data‑driven reporting.
Throughout the conference, Civio journalists took part in a wide range of practical technical sessions designed to enhance their investigative toolkit. Dataharvest also served as a hub for new collaborations. Civio established contact with several European media outlets previously outside its network, sparking early discussions around potential cross‑border investigations on topics of shared public interest.
The second component of the grant supported an internal wellbeing programme designed collaboratively by Civio’s 10-member team. Rather than imposing a standard solution, we gave each of our ten staff members up to €300 to spend on whatever supported their health best (therapy, physiotherapy, pilates, nutrition counselling, mindfulness, or anything in between). Within that shared framework, each person had full freedom to choose, supported by a simple and confidential reimbursement system that kept the focus on people, not paperwork.
The impact was real and immediate. But beyond individual benefits, something shifted culturally: conversations about health became normal, even welcome. As a team, we became more aware of how much these things matter and, crucially, that Civio was genuinely behind us in taking care of ourselves.
Together, the conference participation and wellbeing programme represent a dual investment in professional excellence and newsroom resilience.
Civilizáció Coalition Invests in Community Wellbeing
The Civilizáció coalition, led by Amnesty International Hungary, used the Civitates Learning, Wellbeing and Security grant to launch a two‑part initiative, combining a year‑end community gathering with targeted wellbeing assistance for partners involved in the Civitates‑funded Resist LAB project.
On 9 December, nearly 100 representatives from civil society organisations attended an informal end‑of‑year meet‑up at a local venue. Designed to bring members closer together and facilitate planning for 2026, the evening centered on a keynote address by political analyst Zoltán Lakner, and a community dinner. Organisers describe the event as one of the most energising moments of the year, strengthening personal and organisational ties within the network.
Alongside the central event, the coalition distributed wellbeing vouchers of €290 to member organisations, enabling them to address practical needs rarely covered by traditional funding, such as team‑building; improvements to office environments; and mental‑health support.
These efforts have helped maintain the operational resilience of member organisations while reinforcing the broader mission of the Civilizáció coalition. As Hungary moved towards the 2026 elections, strengthening these internal bonds was seen as essential to ensuring the coalition can respond collectively and effectively to political developments.
AI Forensics Strengthens Data‑Security Practices and GDPR Readiness
AI Forensics has used the Learning, Wellbeing and Security grants to launch a major upskilling initiative focused on strengthening internal security culture and ensuring that data protection is embedded in every stage of its investigative work. As the organisation increasingly handles sensitive datasets and conducts high‑risk algorithmic audits, the goal was to place GDPR compliance and operational security at the centre of its research processes.
The programme was built around two complementary learning tracks. The first focused on advanced training addressing challenges unique to AI Forensics – such as large‑scale data scraping, algorithmic auditing and navigating mixed legal roles across different investigations. The second track provided organisation‑wide training to improve staff awareness, decision‑making and day‑to‑day security practices.
The initiative has already brought important changes. It clarified when AI Forensics acts as a data controller—for its own research—and when it operates as a processor for partners such as public institutions. This distinction now shapes how projects are planned, contracted and implemented. The organisation also strengthened its governance and documentation practices. A wider cultural shift is underway as well. Staff now have a clearer understanding of how everyday choices affect organisational safety, reducing uncertainty and stress around handling sensitive material.
Crucially, AI Forensics emphasises that its commitment to data protection goes beyond legal compliance. The aim is to embed responsible habits into everyday work, ensuring that the team makes informed, ethical decisions at every step of high‑impact investigations.
This article is part of Civitates Annual Report 2025, which will be published in May 2026. To discover more stories like this one, stay in touch by signing up for our newsletter or follow us on LinkedIn.
