Update on our Volunteer Community

Last updated: January 21, 2026

Since launching as a Global Authentication Project in February 2022, our volunteer program has grown significantly and turned into what Bellingcat Volunteer Community is today. It is truly inspiring to see how the program has evolved, fuelled by a shared passion for open-source research and Bellingcat’s mission. As interest continues to rise, we are proud to sustain a vibrant, engaged community of over 100 active members who bring a diverse range of skills and global perspectives to our work.

To ensure we provide the best possible support and a meaningful experience for our current members, we have temporarily paused new member onboarding.

We are also refining our selection process and will share specific details shortly with everyone on our waitlist. The updated approach will prioritise candidates with demonstrated open-source research and adjacent skills and a steadfast commitment to Bellingcat’s ethical standards. These changes allow us to maintain the high quality of our investigations and ensure this community program remains impactful for everyone involved.

We know many of you are eager to join, and we are working hard to welcome new members again soon. If you are currently on our waitlist, look out for an update regarding the new process and participation guidelines.

Our community remains vital to Bellingcat’s mission, not only by contributing to investigations but by fostering a global network of researchers who share knowledge and support one another through peer learning and member-led initiatives.

If you’d like to hear more about the program and the member experience, listen to this recent podcast episode: Unleashing the Power of our Volunteer Community.

About Bellingcat's Volunteer Community

What is Bellingcat Volunteer Community?

Also known as Bellingcat’s Global Authentication Project (originally launched in 2022), this initiative has evolved into a broader volunteer community experience. Today, the Bellingcat Volunteer Community collaborates to explore, verify, and uncover stories using open-source information and tools. From human rights and financial investigations to wildlife research, conflict monitoring, event authentication, and developing investigative technology, our community tackles a wide range of topics. We welcome enthusiasts from all backgrounds to join us in this collective effort.

Connect, learn, and contribute to global transparency in an inclusive and collaborative environment!

What is Our Collective Mission?
At Bellingcat, our mission is to democratise open-source investigative work by creating a community where everyone, regardless of expertise, can actively participate. We're dedicated to building a network of authenticity and transparency.

Our focus is not just on investigations but also on fostering continuous learning. Through collaboration, we empower volunteers to expand their skills, contribute meaningfully, and together, we aim to make a positive impact on the world.

Join us on a mission of learning, collaboration, and building a more transparent global community!

Join Waitlist

Please note that we receive a high volume of applications and our capacity to onboard new members is limited.
As a result, we onboard small cohorts quarterly. If you do not receive communication from us within the first month of the upcoming quarter, please understand that we may reach out to you at a later date.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we carefully review all submissions.

Recruitment Steps Breakdown

📝 Application

We onboard new members in cohorts, with application review phase beginning at the start of every quarter*. For example, if you apply in October, November or December, you can expect to hear from us during the Q1 cycle (January) or in one of the following recruitment cycles (April, July, October).

📬 Outreach

If you don't receive communication from us in the upcoming cycle, there's a chance we may reach out to you at a later date, either for a specific project or as our capacity expands. Your information will be securely stored for 12 months, and we'll consider your profile in the next available cycle.

👋 Recruitment

If your profile aligns with our needs, we'll extend an invitation for a brief introductory call. This isn't a formal job interview; rather, it's a chance for authentic connection. Feel free to bring any questions you may have.

🚀 Onboarding

If your application is successful, you'll receive an invitation to proceed with a brief but mandatory security onboarding process. This step is designed to ensure a secure and welcoming environment for all our members.

*Please note that the quarterly cycles apply only to the onboarding process and do not impact the length of your membership, which remains indefinite as long as it aligns with our policies.

Questions?

To ask questions or get more information on the project, contact volunteer@bellingcat.com
or DM @viktorijabellingcat on Bellingcat's public server on Discord.

Join Waitlist

We look forward to welcoming you to our community!

Stay in touch with Bellingcat on Social Media.
And follow Volunteer Community–specific updates on LinkedIn to stay in the loop.