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Local Journalism Initiative - Changing Narratives Fund - Canada
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Local Journalism Initiative - Changing Narratives Fund

Supports hiring diverse journalists for underserved community news coverage
Canadian Heritage (PCH)
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
No Condition
Timeline
  • Open Date : February 3, 2026
Location
Canada

Overview

The Local Journalism Initiative - Changing Narratives Fund provides up to $10 million over three years to support Canadian media organizations hiring diverse journalists to produce civic journalism for underserved communities. Funding covers activities such as mentoring, training, and professional development for journalists from Indigenous, Black, racialized, ethno-religious minority, disabled, and 2SLGBTQI+ communities.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals
  • Increase social or community impact
  • Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
  • No Condition
Timeline
  • Open Date : February 3, 2026

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries
  • Information and cultural industries
Location
  • Canada
Legal structures
  • Non-profit
  • Public or Parapublic institution
  • For-profit business
Annual revenue
  • All revenue ranges
Organisation size
  • All organization sizes
Audience
  • Indigenous Peoples
  • Persons with Disabilities
  • Other Racialized Persons
  • Black Canadians
  • 2SLGBTQI+
  • Canadians
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
  • All industries
Target groups
  • All the groups
Revenue structures
  • All structures
Scope
  • All dimensions

Next steps

1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility

Activities funded

  • Hiring of diverse journalists to produce civic journalism for underserved communities.
  • Offering mentorship, training, and professional development for journalists from diverse backgrounds at all career stages.

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Press agencies
  • Private news organizations
  • Non-profit news organizations

Who is not eligible

  • Private non-community broadcasters.
  • CBC/Radio-Canada.

Eligible expenses

  • Salaries or fees for hiring journalists from diverse backgrounds (including emerging journalists) to produce civic journalism for underserved communities.
  • Costs associated with mentoring, training, and professional development activities for these journalists.

Eligible geographic areas

  • Canadian media organizations operating across Canada.

Additional information

  • Funding for the Changing Narratives Fund is being delivered by a single not-for-profit organization to help protect press independence.
  • The initiative will span at least the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 fiscal years.
  • Guides and information resources, such as service standards and a glossary of terms, are available to applicants online.
  • Content produced with this funding is made available to media organizations under a Creative Commons license.

Contacts

initiatedejournalismelocal-localjournalisminitiative@pch.gc.ca
1-866-811-0055

Frequently Asked Questions about the Local Journalism Initiative - Changing Narratives Fund Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Local Journalism Initiative - Changing Narratives Fund. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.

What is the Local Journalism Initiative - Changing Narratives Fund?

The Local Journalism Initiative - Changing Narratives Fund provides up to $10 million over three years to support Canadian media organizations hiring diverse journalists to produce civic journalism for underserved communities. Funding covers activities such as mentoring, training, and professional development for journalists from Indigenous, Black, racialized, ethno-religious minority, disabled, and 2SLGBTQI+ communities.

Who is eligible for the Local Journalism Initiative - Changing Narratives Fund program?

To be eligible for the Local Journalism Initiative - Changing Narratives Fund program, you must: Must be a Canadian press agency, private news organization, or non-profit news organization Must operate in written press, community radio, community television, or online news services Private non-community broadcasters and CBC/Radio-Canada are not eligible

What expenses are eligible under Local Journalism Initiative - Changing Narratives Fund?

Hiring of diverse journalists to produce civic journalism for underserved communities. Offering mentorship, training, and professional development for journalists from diverse backgrounds at all career stages.

Who can I contact for more information about the Local Journalism Initiative - Changing Narratives Fund?

You can contact Canadian Heritage (PCH) by email at initiatedejournalismelocal-localjournalisminitiative@pch.gc.ca or by phone at 1-866-811-0055.

Where is the Local Journalism Initiative - Changing Narratives Fund available?

The Local Journalism Initiative - Changing Narratives Fund program is available across Canada.

Is the Local Journalism Initiative - Changing Narratives Fund a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Local Journalism Initiative - Changing Narratives Fund is a Grant and Funding

Who are the financial supporters of the Local Journalism Initiative - Changing Narratives Fund?

Local Journalism Initiative - Changing Narratives Fund is funded by Canadian Heritage (PCH)

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