You can apply for any figure up to £9,400.

Up to 10.

The Accelerator supports independent local news organisations in Wales which are committed to covering councils, courts and the local justice system, health boards, fire authority, police crime commission and other statutory bodies. The Accelerator will consider applications which apply for staffing/freelancer and running costs. It will also consider applications that will help drive audience engagement; mentoring programmes; a constructive focus on young people; knowledge transfer; coaching; employing freelancers and growing mobile and AI journalism capabilities.

The money has been given to Ping! News by the Welsh government. Ping! News is a not-for-profit community interest company led by ICNN and Bristol-based developer Omni Digital. It aims to support sustainability in the independent community news sector. Ping! Was chosen to administer the fund as it’s independent from the Welsh Government and has extensive knowledge of the community journalism sector

The fund starts 21st August 2023. It runs until 21st February 2024. All grant money must be spent within that period.

An organisation with a turnover of less than £1 million.

A minimum of three months.

All publishers need to meet ICNN entry standards, including demonstrating impartiality, balanced copy, a visible complaints procedure, and adherence to IPSO’s code of conduct or the Impress code and the NUJ’s code of conduct. Full details here: https://www.communityjournalism.co.uk/criteria-for-membership/.

Any unclaimed funds from the initial bids will be put into a top-up fund which will be announced in due course.

Publishers should complete the application form.

Applications must be received before 11.59pm on 6 August, 2023. Applications received after that date will not be considered.

Contact fund administrator John Baron on john.baron@pingnews.uk for more information.