We are looking forward to welcoming you to Dataharvest- The European Investigative Journalism Conference 2026 on May 28-31 in Mechelen!
How can I register for the conference, and can I still buy a ticket?
Dataharvest has sold out completely, and we have no tickets available. You can join the waiting list – it’s the only way to secure a spot if any tickets free up.
Can I still send you a proposal for the session?
Our second call for proposals is open until 10 April. Read more about the types of stories we’re looking for here.
What does the conference fee include?
It includes full conference attendance, coffee breaks, and lunches. The conference fee doesn’t include a ticket for a full-day masterclass (on Thursday, 28 May 2026). The masterclass tickets need to be purchased separately.
When does the conference start?
The official programme of the conference starts on Friday, 29 May 2026, in the morning, and ends on 31 May 2026 around lunch. The conference doors open each day at 09:00 am. Please arrive on time and enjoy a coffee or tea before the first sessions begin at 9:30/10:00 am (depending on the day, please check the programme).
All the participants will need to check in upon arrival, so please have your ticket ready for scanning. If you are in Mechelen early, you can also come by the school on 28 May and register until 4 pm, to avoid waiting in line on Friday morning. All other attendees can register upon arrival at the Thomas More Journalism School on 29 or 30 May.
Master-class participants should register on the morning of 28 May.
The programme will be published online, but we recommend using the Sched app (iOS, Android) to be able to follow any changes during the event.
What’s the relationship between Dataharvest and the Arena Climate conferences?
Arena for Journalism in Europe organizes and hosts two annual conferences for investigative journalists: Dataharvest – the European Investigative Journalism Conference, gathering over 500 journalists, editors and programmers in May in Mechelen, Belgium; and Climate Arena Conference, the meeting place for journalists and researchers working on climate and environmental issues across Europe. In 2026, only one annual conference will be organized. Dataharvest will dedicate a whole track to climate and environmental journalism and investigative skills.
Can I volunteer at Dataharvest?
If you wish to volunteer at the conference, please apply via this form. We will let you know if your application has been successful by mid-February (2026).
What if I need a visa to enter Belgium?
If you are a speaker or a ticket-holding attendee and need to apply for a visa, please immediately contact jelena@journalismarena.eu. We will provide you with an invitation letter for you to use as part of your visa application.
How to get to Mechelen?
Information regarding arrival and departure logistics for Mechelen, along with general information about the city, can be found here.
Where is the conference taking place?
The venue is the Thomas More Journalism School, Campus De Ham, Raghenoplein 21, 2800 Mechelen, Belgium.
Do you offer childcare?
Arena is offering childcare (from 3 years onward) on Friday (29) and Saturday (30) from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm at Thomas More School. Please register for childcare when purchasing/registering for your tickets. Our logistics coordinator will be in touch with further details.
Do you have a code of conduct?
Arena for Journalism in Europe, the organisation behind Dataharvest, is committed to providing a welcoming, inclusive, and safe work environment for its staff and for participants in all events. Please read the code of conduct before attending the conference.
I can’t attend the conference. (How) can I cancel my ticket?
You can cancel your ticket up to ten days before the conference starts (Monday, 18 May 2026). This applies to both conference tickets and masterclasses. Cancellations are subject to a fee (25% of the registration price) to cover administrative costs. If you paid with a credit card, the refund will be automatically transferred to your account in 7-14 days. If you paid with a bank transfer, please send your bank account number (including SWIFT/IBAN code) and the order number to info@journalismarena.eu, so that we can initiate the refund.
If you cancel less than ten days before the start of the event (after 18 May 2026), we will unfortunately not be able to refund you. However, we will be happy to transfer your ticket to a colleague of yours at no extra cost. Just get in touch, and we will help you out!
Do you offer vegan and vegetarian lunch options?
Yes, our lunch offer includes vegan and vegetarian options only. We also try to accommodate various dietary restrictions and food allergies of our participants.
Is there coffee and tea throughout the conference days?
We provide coffee and tea throughout the morning and into the afternoon. However, please note that the daily supply is limited, and that the coffee might not be available outside of the coffee breaks and late in the afternoon. To make sure everyone stays energized, in 2026, we are planning to set up a portable coffee stand outside the venue, where you’ll be able to purchase additional coffee options.
Is the venue accessible for wheelchairs or people with walking difficulties ?
Thomas More School is accessible to people in wheelchairs and also has an accessible toilet. To receive the badge that will allow you to use the elevators, please contact the registration desk. We will provide an access card and further instructions. More information about the accessibility of the town can be found here.
Can I find a quiet room to work or have a short call during the conference?
Yes, you can access a quiet working room on the 3rd floor/ Room 3.11. The room is available on Friday and Saturday during conference hours.
Will the event be live-streamed?
Dataharvest is a fully in-person conference. No sessions will be live-streamed or recorded. Participants can, in principle, share their insights and impressions from the conference on social media, but they should be mindful of other participants’ privacy. Also, some speakers might not want you to share the content of their sessions online – please respect that!
Will you offer side events during Dataharvest 2026?
In 2026, we will offer different side events to the conference, which include a pub quiz, city walks, and an OSINT challenge. Further information can be found in the programme.
Let’s keep in touch!
If you have further questions, please contact info@dataharvest.eu. If you want to sign up for our newsletter, please click here.