The NCTJ has announced the launch of the Community Reporting Fund (CRF), a new initiative to continue the vital work of the Community News Project (CNP).
The NCTJ says it has committed an initial investment of £450,000 from its reserves to establish the CRF, with a goal of securing additional funding from external partners in the coming years.
The organisations says the fund will support the recruitment and training of community reporters in a new phase of the CNP, supporting local journalism while offering opportunities for diverse talent to enter the industry and undertake professional NCTJ training.
The establishment of the CRF follows Meta’s announcement in 2023 that it would not renew its funding for the CNP. It had supported the project since its launch in 2019 to a total value of $17million, added NCTJ.
Since its inception five years ago, NCTJ says the Community News Project has created 100 new reporting roles in local newsrooms, with over 280 individuals having taken up the opportunity to become a community reporter and to work towards professional NCTJ qualifications.
More than 70 per cent of these reporters came from diverse backgrounds, with many moving into full-time journalism roles. NCTJ says the Community Reporting Fund will build on this success by supporting six new community reporters on two-year contracts, allowing them to gain hands-on experience while studying for the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism.
Joanne Forbes, chief executive at the NCTJ, said: “The Community News Project has provided invaluable opportunities for aspiring journalists from diverse backgrounds to enter the industry, while also delivering important local news to underserved communities.
“We are committed to sustaining this vital work, supporting regional journalism and maintaining this important training ground. We hope that by establishing the Community Reporting Fund we can ensure the project lives on.”
In a shift from previous phases of the CNP, the NCTJ says it will manage recruitment for the new roles. Prospective reporters will be able to apply for positions with news outlets within their local area, with final appointments made in collaboration with publishers. NCTJ says a list of locations will be published at the end of the month.
The project will seek individuals from diverse backgrounds who have not previously had the opportunity to undertake professional journalism education or training.
Charlotte Vowles joined Devon Live as one of the first community reporters hired by the scheme and now works as a press officer for Headway. She said: “The Community News Project was truly a life-changing experience for me. It gave me the skills, confidence, and opportunity to connect with communities that often go unheard. I’m delighted to hear that this excellent scheme is continuing. It’s a transformative project that opens doors for people from all backgrounds.”
Mirek Gosney, a community news reporter at Newbury News, added: "The CNP gave me the start I needed in this industry and the opportunity to learn and apply new practical skills on the job."
Community reporters will focus on under-reported stories in their areas, building relationships with local communities. This new cohort will also receive specialised training in combating misinformation.
Toby Granville, editorial development director at Newsquest and chair of the Community News Project governance committee, said: “The CNP was a huge success in welcoming more journalists from diverse backgrounds than ever into our industry.
“It is crucial for us to be able to provide a voice for more inclusive reporting and I’m delighted that through this generous investment from the NCTJ we are going to be able to continue to tell many more of these stories at the heart of our communities.”
With the CRF having launched this week, a recruitment process will begin in the coming weeks, with a view to the new cohort of reporters starting in early 2025. Details will be published on the NCTJ website, where candidates can apply for roles.
