Applications for the International Press Institute Local News Accelerator 2025 is open now!!!
IPI has officially launched the call for applications for the Local News Accelerator, an initiative aimed at fostering digital innovation in local news organizations worldwide, ensuring their medium and long-term viability in an increasingly competitive landscape.
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If you are a local publisher grappling with questions about how to effectively monetize your content, adapt your news products to the shifting preferences of consumers, or keep pace with rapidly advancing technologies, then this program is tailor-made for you. The Local News Accelerator is an intensive four-month program designed for you and your organization to take actionable steps towards enhancing the financial and editorial sustainability of your local media business. Now in its third iteration, the program offers a unique combination of personalized advisory services, practical tools, and expert guidance aimed at helping you connect with your audiences, evolve into a dynamic and responsive media brand, and engage with a community of fellow local news practitioners.
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Recognizing that media innovation and sustainability are fundamental components of press freedom—and vital in the face of the growing challenges confronting the industry, this program builds on IPI’s four years of research into local news. The insights gained during this time have informed the creation of customized support systems for local publishers. Through comprehensive innovation support, local organizations are equipped with the necessary skills and tools to achieve economic viability, strengthen audience connections, and harness technological advancements. This ensures their ability to remain independent, competitive, and adaptive to the ever-changing social and political landscapes.
The accelerator is specifically designed to assist local newsrooms in either launching new initiatives or pivoting their existing business models. Through extensive work with local, regional, and niche publishers, IPI has developed a deep understanding of the challenges you face in today’s media environment. The program offers structured support to help identify issues and deliver tailored solutions that will propel your projects towards financial and editorial sustainability. Participants will benefit from comprehensive one-on-one needs assessments conducted by IPI’s in-house experts, who will provide personalized guidance throughout the program, maximizing the impact of successful applicants.
In addition to personalized support, participants will gain access to a vibrant community of local news innovators from across the globe. This community serves as a valuable resource for sharing insights, strategies, and experiences, further enriching the learning journey.
The program’s format is grounded in IPI’s innovation learning journey, which was successfully piloted during the 2023 Local News Accelerator. Participants from around the world achieved significant outcomes, including increased readership, doubling their subscriber base, developing new onboarding tools and engagement channels, and launching innovative membership models as well as crowdfunding campaigns.
Cohort members frequently highlight the importance of the connections they forge with their peers as a key benefit of the program. This networking fosters a supportive community among media professionals facing similar challenges, enabling the exchange of ideas and collaborative problem-solving. For more insights into the success stories of previous Local News Accelerator participants, you can visit their official website.
Location:
OnlineBenefits
- One month of direct needs assessments to identify your pain points, problem statements, and map solutions.
- Intensive training focused on tools and skills that can be transferred to your newsroom well beyond the duration of the accelerator, focused on problem solving and identifying solutions, audience research, strategic planning, journalism formats – audio, video, newsletters – built for user engagement, digital business models, and diversifying revenue models.
- One-on-one personalized advisory services bespoke to the needs of your newsroom, with flexible, on-demand industry experts as coaches during the accelerator.
Eligibilities
- You should be a legally registered media organization from anywhere in the world.
- Demonstrate a clear focus on serving local audiences, with news tailored to the specific needs of the local community.
- Your organization should demonstrate a commitment to producing quality original journalism, adherence to ethical journalism practices and commitment to press freedom.
- Your organization must have a team of at least two individuals who are willing to commit to accelerator activities throughout the four months ( four hours per week, divided between the team of two).
- Your media should have a solid business case and understanding of your audience, backed up by audience or market research.
- Your media should demonstrate a willingness to explore and implement new ideas, tools, and technologies to enhance storytelling and audience engagement, while learning from experts and each other.
- Your media should have a clear vision for the future of their media organization, including plans for how they will grow, expand and/or adapt.
- You must submit a proposal outlining a specific need and solution (Note: it is anticipated that this project will change or evolve during the accelerator period).
Application Process
- Submit your application via Jotform by August 24, 2025, 23:59 CEST.
- Save and edit your application until submission; post-submission edits are not allowed.
- Applications must be submitted in English via Jotform only.
- An email confirmation will be sent upon submission.
- Projects are selected by a jury of internal experts based on set criteria.
- For eligibility questions, please contact [email protected] or attend one of the information sessions.
- A diverse cohort is encouraged; reach out if you’re interested.
Application Deadline: August 24, 2025 (33 Days Remaining)
Apply nowOfficial link
