Volunteer Community Program Update

Last updated: September 1, 2025

Our Volunteer Community has grown significantly since it began as a Global Authentication project in February 2022. It's truly inspiring to see how it has evolved, driven by a shared interest in open-source research and Bellingcat's mission. We've seen a steady increase in applications and are proud to have a vibrant and engaged community of over 120 active members from diverse backgrounds, bringing a wide range of skills and perspectives to our work.

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

Our screening process is now highly selective, with a focus on candidates who have demonstrated open-source research skills, specific language proficiencies, and a strong commitment to Bellingcat's mission. This approach allows us to maintain the high quality and effectiveness of the program.

We know many of you are eager to join, and we are working hard to be able to welcome new members again soon! We will be updating everyone on our waitlist with a new process and guidelines for participation in the coming weeks.

Our community continues to play a vital role in Bellingcat’s work—not only by contributing to investigations, but also by fostering a global network of researchers who share knowledge, develop skills, and support one another through peer learning and member-led initiatives.

If you'd like to hear more about the program and what it's like to be a member, check out this recent podcast episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/unleashing-power-137652140.

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!
Find our Volunteer Community on X and LinkedIn.