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Local Journalism Initiative - Changing Narratives Fund - Canada
Open
Source verified August 6, 2026

Local Journalism Initiative - Changing Narratives Fund

Supports diverse journalists in civic journalism
Offered by
Canadian Heritage
Official source: canada.ca
Latest source update
Last Update: April 9, 2026
Latest change: The Changing Narratives Fund now includes a sunset date of March 31, 2027, with 2026–2027 allocations being implemented as planned.
View change
Changing Narratives Fund updated
The Changing Narratives Fund page now states that the fund will not be renewed and will sunset on March 31, 2027, while noting that 2026–2027 allocations are being implemented as planned. The page also removes the earlier note that funding would be available to diverse-led or mandated organizations for further distribution, which changes the funding context and slightly narrows the stated scope of support.
Funding available
$ 60,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Opened February 3, 2026
Location
Canada
Who can apply

Press agencies

See full eligibility

Overview

The Changing Narratives Fund – LJI Stream supports eligible Canadian media organizations across Canada to hire journalists from CNF priority communities for original civic journalism, with up to $60,000 per full-time journalist position annualized. It also funds mentoring, training, and professional development for underserved 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
  • Maximum amount : 60,000 $
  • Up to 5% of project cost
Funds Providers

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries
  • All industries
Location
  • Canada
Legal structures
  • Non-profit
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
  • Civic and Advocacy Organizations
Target groups
  • All the groups
Revenue structures
  • All structures
Scope
  • All dimensions

Next Steps

1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility

Activities funded

  • Hire journalists to produce civic journalism for underserved communities.
  • Provide an annualized salary for a journalist for content development of civic journalism.
  • Include a professional development component tailored to the journalist’s career stage.

Documents Needed

  • Media Organization Profile
  • Application Form
  • Budget with salary and equipment request
  • Articles of incorporation
  • Most recent financial statements

Official resources

Official page

Changing Narratives Fund

Program guide

Changing Narratives Fund - LJI Stream - Community Radio Fund of Canada

Changing Narratives FUND Local Journalism Initiative Stream (2025-2027)

Local Journalism Initiative (2025)

Application form

LJI CNF 2527 Self Identification Form EN

Terms that can be found in the glossary are in bold.

Supporting document

CNF-LJI 2025-2027

CNF-LJI 2025-2027

Indigenous language(s), please specify: Other(s), please specify

Stage 2: Assessment and Selection Process

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Press agencies
  • Private-sector news organizations
  • Non-profit news organizations
  • Indigenous organizations operating an Indigenous news outlet in Canada
  • Organizations operating in written press, community radio, community television, or online news service

Who is not eligible

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

Eligible expenses

  • Journalist salaries, including remuneration for journalistic work performed and Mandatory Employment Related Costs (MERCs), such as EI and CPP contributions, vacation pay, workers’ compensation, and any other employer deductions.
  • Equipment purchase or lease required for CNF-LJI-funded journalists to produce journalistic content, including accessibility-related expenses for journalists who self-identify as Deaf, having disabilities, and/or living with mental illness.
  • Professional development costs associated with opportunities aimed at strengthening journalistic capacity within the targeted diverse communities.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Illegal content, including hate propaganda.
  • Content that does not pertain to current events or local issues.
  • Opinions, advertising, and content that is demonstrably false or misleading.
  • Investigative content to inform a lobbying and/or advocacy strategy with levels of government.
  • All other expenses are not eligible under the CNF-LJI stream.

Eligible geographic areas

  • Canada

Selection criteria

  • Relevance (40 points): The proposal clearly identifies the target underserved community and outlines specific news gaps.
  • Impact (40 points): The proposal aligns strongly with LJI’s core objectives and demonstrates potential for significant impact.
  • Capacity (20 points): The organization demonstrates strong support and oversight for the journalist and adherence to journalistic integrity and ethics.
  • Strategic bonus: up to 10 points.
  • CNF priority organization: 10 points; early career journalist: 5 points.

How to apply

  • Applications are submitted through the online application portal.
  • To apply via the application portal, you must create an account.
  • Complete and submit the Media Organization Profile, Application Form, and Budget in the portal before the application deadline.
  • Submit the mandatory support documents in the portal before the application deadline.

Processing and Agreement

  • The Programs Team reviews submitted applications against the mandatory baseline requirements for eligibility screening and completeness.
  • If documents are not submitted, applicants have one week to submit them to the Programs Team.
  • The Independent Selection Committee reviews all eligible applications and scores them based solely on the published criteria.
  • Successful applicants receive a formal Offer of Contribution and must then submit the Self-Identification form and Professional Development proposal form via the application portal to confirm funding.
  • The Administrator enters into a contribution agreement with successful applicants, and recipients must submit progress report(s) and a final report during the term.

Additional information

  • The Community Media Coalition, represented by the Community Radio Fund of Canada (CRFC), delivers this stream on behalf of the Department of Canadian Heritage.
  • The LJI-CNF program has been developed in consultation with various stakeholders across the Canadian media landscape, including professionals with media expertise and lived experience consistent with the program’s objectives and the CNF priority communities.

Contacts

cnf-fdv@crfc-fcrc.ca
613-552-3634

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

What is the Local Journalism Initiative - Changing Narratives Fund?

The Changing Narratives Fund – LJI Stream supports eligible Canadian media organizations across Canada to hire journalists from CNF priority communities for original civic journalism, with up to $60,000 per full-time journalist position annualized. It also funds mentoring, training, and professional development for underserved communities.

How much funding can be received?

Local Journalism Initiative - Changing Narratives Fund Funds up to 5% of admissible expenses, capped at $60,000 per project.

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: Canadian press agencies, non-profit or private-sector news organizations Operate in written press, community radio, community television, or online news services Majority owned and controlled by Canadians; Indigenous organizations operating an Indigenous news outlet in Canada are eligible

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

Hire journalists to produce civic journalism for underserved communities. Provide an annualized salary for a journalist for content development of civic journalism. Include a professional development component tailored to the journalist’s career stage.

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

You can contact Canadian Heritage by email at cnf-fdv@crfc-fcrc.ca or by phone at 613-552-3634.

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