Welsh Public Interest News Accelerator
For the second year running, Ping News is delighted to announce that independent community media organisations in Wales will benefit from a £100,000 fund aimed at supporting public interest journalism.
The Welsh Public Interest News Accelerator will support up to ten organisations that are committed to delivering locally relevant public interest news and promoting sustainability in the Welsh community news sector.
The accelerator is funded by the Welsh Government and will be distributed via Ping! News CIC, a community interest company set up by the Independent Community News Network (ICNN) and Bristol-based web app development company, Omni Digital. Ping News supports sustainability in the independent community news sector, empowering hyperlocal journalism and fostering community resilience.
This Accelerator is aimed at providing support to existing Welsh-based independent community news outlets committed to delivering locally-relevant public interest news and filling deficits in existing public interest news coverage.
It will support organisations committed to covering councils, courts and the local justice system, health boards, fire authority, police crime commission and other statutory bodies.
The Accelerator 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.
There are 10 awards of £9,400 available.
Publishers need to meet ICNN entry standards (membership of ICNN is not a requirement), 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.
The Public Interest Journalism Accelerator follows the successful delivery of the Public Interest Journalism Fund delivered in 2022.
To apply, fill in the form below before 11.59pm on 6th August, 2023.
All entrants will be notified of the outcome of their application by 14th August, 2023.
The fund starts 21st August 2023. It runs until 21st February 2024. All grant money must be spent within that period.