Write on! Street paper vendors help promote literacy in Macedonia

Lice v lice vendors have been helping to promote Macedonian literature and improve reading habits by joining a special campaign run by electrical distribution company, EVN Macedonia.

On May 7, the street paper vendors attended the campaign's launch at the Skopje Book Fair to sell a special edition of the Lice v lice.

The issue was packed with feature articles, interviews and news reports that highlighted Macedonian writers and explored how literacy levels could be improved across the country.

Dressed in their Lice v lice uniforms, vendors also carried backpacks displaying large bookmarks emblazoned with the reading motto – “Create your habit" to promote the pleasure of reading.

The vendor team also handed out free books from several Macedonian publishers ("Tabernakul”, “Tri”, “Goten”, “Ars lamina”, “Magor”) to the first 100 readers that bought the magazine. A free anthology of work produced by young Macedonian authors was also given as a special freebie to every Lice v lice customer.

The event was hosted by Macedonian journalist, Ana Zafirova, and school pupil, Ana Stankovska. It also included poetry readings and several educational writing and drawing workshops for school children.

Famous Macedonian actress Verica Nedeska – Trajkova is the cover star of the latest Lice v lice magazine promoting literacy and literature.

Photos by Tomislav Georgiev.

(Cover pictured left - photography by Milena Viitman, design and illustration by Evgeny Viitman).


To learn more about promoting Macedonian literature and new authors, go to Raskazi.mk. For more Lice v lice news, click here.

Street Sense presents Cinema from the Street

A series of powerful documentaries filmed by Street Sense vendors in Washington D.C. will get their first screening tonight.

The biweekly street paper is sold across the city by homeless and formerly vendors, many of whom also write for the publication. Recently, they were given an opportunity to express their creativity in a different medium - film.

As part of the Cinema From the Street co-op project, ran by professional filmmaker Bryan Bello and Street Sense's Media Centre, a group of eight vendors were taught basic filmmaking techniques to help them write, direct and shoot short documentaries exploring homelessness in the U.S. capital.


Cinema From the Street - Official Trailer from Bryan Bello on Vimeo.

Tonight's screening will include three films made by Street Sense Filmmakers’ Co-op members  Robert Warren, Reginald Black, Levester Green and Morgan Jones. Each will give a unique insight into the struggles faced by the homeless, such as finding employment, reconnecting with family and trying to survive on the streets during a harsh winter.

Street Sense runs regular workshops to help empower vendors by teaching them how to tell their stories in creative ways - through writing, theatre, illustration and film - and practical skills to aid them with job applications, fiance management and accessing housing and health care. You can find out more about Street Sense and Cinema from the Street here.

Cinema From the Street debuts April 29, 6.30 - 8.30 at E Street Cinema in downtown Washington D.C. The event includes a Q&A with the filmmakers and cinematographers.

Salzburg street paper wins top human rights award

Austrian street paper Apropos has received the Rose for Human Rights for its work with migrant vendors in Salzburg.

The Platform for Human Rights awards the prize annually to organizations that make an exceptional contribution to the maintenance and defence of civil and human rights.

Winners of the 2014 Rose for Human Rights.

Last year, the street paper played an active part in a conference that addressed the treatment of migrants, travellers and beggars in the Austrian city.

The event was a response to the prejudice and approximately one hundred and thirty people forced to beg on the streets of Salzburg face daily.

Apropos, a member of INSP, is seen as a best practice model that offers people in Salzburg an alternative to begging through selling street papers to lift themselves out of poverty.

“We are very happy about the prize and feel honoured to be awarded together with all these other great and devoted social organisations,” said Katrin Schmoll, editor of Apropos.

“In the past few years we tried to include our migrant vendors in different projects, such as our language course, to improve their situation and make them feel welcome in Salzburg. It's a good feeling to know that these efforts are being recognized.”

Apropos received the Rose for Human Rights (Die Rose für Menschenrechte) along with thirty other non-profit organisations and projects that champion people living in poverty throughout South Eastern Europe.

Other recipients of the award include The Poverty Conference Salzburg, the Salzburg Peace Bureau, community TV channel FS1 and its presenter Kurt Bauer, and a number of different religious organisations.

Washington street paper crowdfunds to give vendors Digital Hope

By Laura Smith

UPDATE: We're happy to report that this project has been fully funded. 

A Washington DC street paper is tapping into the creativity and sales experience of its vendors to help them start their own digital marketing businesses.

Street Sense plans to run an in-depth online marketing course for vendors who also contribute to the publication through a side project called Digital Hope.

Street Sense vendors take part in a Digital Hope class.

It was a connection between vendor and writer Ibn Hipps and digital marketing professional Adam Motiwala that inspired the course.

Adam regularly buys his copies of Street Sense from Ibn. After reading the vendor's writing, Adam worked one-on-one with Ibn to teach him how to start his own blog contract.

"That intersection where vendor and reader find common ground is a key aspect of Street Sense's mission," said the paper's editor Eric Falquero.

The new Digital Hope course will allow five homeless and formerly homeless people to develop skills in digital marketing and learn how to work as independent contractors.

DC Social Innovation Project has pledged $3000 to develop the programme and determine its sustainability for future classes. But Street Sense will only receive those funds if they raise a further $1500 by 26 February.

To get the project off the ground, the street paper put out a plea for public donations via crowdfunding programme indiegogo.com on 2 February.

If fully funded, Adam will train veteran writers from Street Sense during a 16-week intensive course held in a local library. Participants will earn $25 per class and receive a bonus for completing the class and showing good teamwork.

Each student will leave with two client projects for their portfolio, and the knowledge of how to maintain an online profile and market themselves for future blog writing contracts. The funding will help run the class and provide computers and software.

“Providing and refining digital skills is necessary for anyone to enter today's workforce,” added Eric.

“Learning how to leverage these skills independently and online goes a step further to remove other employment barriers individuals may face.

A Street Sense vendor in Washington DC.

"Vending street papers is not a career, its a stepping stone: a tool and opportunity for someone to pull themselves out of poverty. 

“We exist to empower our vendors. Digital Hope aims to extend their path of low-barrier independent employment into a whole new market."

Eric is aware that the project will only be successful if its participants are truly motivated.

Luckily ambition, determination and never shying away from hard graft are essential characteristics for street paper vendors.

"If this is gonna help me pay my rent and achieve my goals, let's do it,” said Digital Hope participant Reginald Black.

Ibn Hipps adds that this opportunity won’t just help him pull himself out of poverty: "When you talk about making money you have to talk about commitment. This isn't just for me, it's for my kids.”

The group has already completed work for a California health clinic. Work for a new client began on 29 January 2015.

You can help fund Street Sense’s Digital Hope digital marketing class for vendors here.

Celebrating #VendorWeek 2015 with the world’s newest street paper

By Laura Kelly

As INSP’s #VendorWeek continues around the world, a ground-breaking new project is on the verge of launching in Mexico City. INSP speaks to the founder of Mi Valedor - the world’s newest street paper.

Mexico’s capital city is home to tens of thousands of homeless people living on the streets. Many live their whole lives without ever having a place to call their own. Some are the third generation of their family to be born into homelessness. Opportunities to escape the cycle of poverty are limited, and violent gangs prey on the estimated 40 percent of the country’s population who live in poverty.

In this challenging and dangerous environment, 26-year-old artist Maria Portilla is leading a team of six brave young women — all in their mid-20s, and without any prior experience in the magazine industry — to bring her home country its first street paper.

Mi Valedor will soon join 114 street newspapers in 35 countries around the world that are part of INSP (International Network of Street Papers)

“Mexico City needs this,” Maria says. “There are grandparents who were born in the streets and have lived their whole lives there. There are very few organisations, or laws from the government, to help homeless people. The government doesn’t even have a proper count of the people living in the street. So they are super-excluded. They don’t have any good attention or facilities.”

Mi Valedor has recieved support from INSP to launch their street paper. Mi Valedor is “my pal” in Mexican slang, but Maria says its meaning for them is “something like ‘my protector’ or ‘someone who looks out for me.’ That’s what the street paper aims to be for its vendors."

Alongside Catholic charity La Carpa (The Tent), they have already recruited 10 vendors to start selling their publication. They hope to add to that number soon with help from Street Soccer Mexico, the local organization that sends a team to the Homeless World Cup each year.

Over the past weeks, the women have been getting to know the people who will be selling Mi Valedor. Having based the Mi Valedor office in a creative area, they aim to link their vendors into that community. They recently ran a sewing workshop for the group (see right).

“All of them have lived many years on the street. Three of them have lived all their life on the street, since they were children,” Maria says.

The stories of how they became homeless may be varied but one thing binds all of the vendors: they want a way out of homelessness and off the streets. “They don’t want to be there anymore,” Maria says.

Miguel Angel Valencia, a 53-year-old Mi Valedor vendor agrees. “Today, I woke up with the motivation to keep going, and not return to the way things were before,” he says. “I learned from the streets; it’s easy to lose yourself there, as an addict, no job, just wandering. Now, I am looking to correct things. Employment is what I was looking for.”

This is a summary of an article written by INSP's Laura Kelly for our News Service. Street paper staff can view and download the full article here.

Cape Town athlete runs 400km for The Big Issue South Africa

By Laura Smith

During Brandon Finn’s punishing 400km run from Johannesburg to Hattingspruit in the South African province of Kwazulu-Natal, the first hour on day eight was the toughest.

His lungs burned with each breath, his legs felt like lead and a dull pain throbbed through his knees, quads and calves. But he kept going, spurred on by his desire to retrace the 10-day march home that 7,000 mineworkers and their families undertook during the Anglo-Boer War in 1899.

Knowing his committed father was several metres behind him, driving in first gear as he had done for the last 280 miles, also helped motivate the urban geographer/long-distance runner.

But what really helped him push through the pain barrier was knowing that, with every step, he was raising more and more money for The Big Issue South Africa.

As his route took him through the beautiful Laing's Neck pass, on a welcome downhill 5km stretch, the 24-year-old found the going a little easier. By day 10, he was flying towards the finish line at the old mining town of Hattingspruit. 

When his epic run finally came to an end on 10 January, Brandon had raised over R15,500 (£900/ $1,300 / €1,200)  for The Big Issue South Africa. After he enjoyed a wave of publicity in the South African press, that total has now risen to well over R19,000. 

“It’s a little known incident in South African history, so I thought running the same route was a good way to commemorate it,” says Brandon.

In 1899, 7,000 Zulu mineworkers and their families wanted to escape Boer War hostilities in Johanneburg to return to their homes in Hattingspruit, Kwazulu-Natal.

The trains had been commandeered, and so their only way to reach their homes, 400km away, was by foot.

They covered the distance over the course of 10 days and all survived to reach home.

“In South Africa today, 115 years on since the march and 21 years since the end of apartheid, many social and economic disparities and inequalities that existed in 1899 still exist,” adds Brandon.

“I think it’s really important to recognise that aspect of history has prominent effects on the way in which our contemporary South Africa is taking shape years after apartheid.”

The money Brandon has raised will be funnelled into The Big Issue South Africa’s job-creation and social-development programme, which helps its vendors obtain new skills, connections and the confidence to secure full-time employment.

Day 7 done.Wow! Everything hurts but I am in good spirits! #imashi @BigIssueSA Just past Volksrust, and into KZN :) pic.twitter.com/SGWVKnZyZz
— Brandon Finn (@BtheFinn) January 7, 2015

“I love the work that The Big Issue does and its vendors are very prominent around Cape Town,” says Brandon, who has bought his copy of the street paper from the same vendor, a man called Goodman, ever since he moved to Cape Town from Pretoria six years ago.

“The Big Issue is such an innovative organisation, especially in South Africa where homelessness and unemployment are so prevalent and there’s a vast mismatch of inequality that is so deeply entrenched," he adds.

“Any initiative that is tackling these issues is definitely worth running 400km for.”

Janna Joseph, editor of The Big Issue South Africa, added: "We were thrilled when Brandon pitched his idea to us, and we are even more thrilled now that he’s pulled the whole thing off, raising about R19,000 for The Big Issue in the process.

"It’s amazing how much one person can accomplish with determination and the right attitude – just like our vendors, who work so hard to support themselves and their families each month. These are people who will benefit from Brandon’s efforts, through our skills-development workshops and job-creation programme."



Donations are still open and can be made at www.expedition-imashi.com.

Happy 5th anniversary to Philadelphia street paper One Step Away

By Laura Smith

A street paper produced by homeless people and sold on the streets of Philadelphia has marked its five year anniversary by celebrating the real stars of the show: its vendors.

Since launching on 15 December 2009, roughly 650,000 copies of One Step Away have been sold by more than 1,700 homeless and unemployed people across the city.


Around 85 percent of One Step Away's vendors rely on the paper for employment. They sell the publication for $1, keep 75 cents of each paper for themselves, and give 25 cents back to the paper to help cover printing costs for the next edition.

One Step Away vendor Jarred.

To celebrate its five-year milestone, One Step Away ran a special edition which took a trip down memory lane to reflect on some of the paper's highlights in the years since its inception.

The editorial team also spoke to several One Step Away vendors to find out what selling the street paper meant to them.

One Step Away vendor Jocelyn.

"One Step Away made a difference in my life because One Step Away made me realise that anybody can be one step away from being homeless," said vendor Jocelyn.

"I love working for One Step Away because we are changing people's lives each and every day and also helping their needs."

One Step Away vendor Ram.

For vendor Jarred, One step Away has been "the come up" in his life. His colleague Ram said that selling a street paper has given him "self-empowerment" and vendor Jayden added that One Step Away has given him "the chance to make a change in my life."

For vendor Daniel, his job at the grassroots non-profit has given him a huge hand up in life too.

"One Step Away keeps me from begging in the street," he said. "It employs me when no one else will give me a chance."

One Step Away vendor Daniel.

So a big congratulations to the staff, writers and vendors of One Step Away on the milestone, and here's to five more years of quality journalism that is helping to change lives straight from the streets of Philadelphia.

You can help celebrate street paper vendors like Jocelyn, Jarred, Ram, Jayden and Daniel around the world by signing up for INSP's Thunderclap during #VendorWeek 2015.

See below for more details.

Do you have a big following? We need your voice to make #VendorWeek bigger than ever. http://t.co/NHtTAIncfy pic.twitter.com/xEiYIOncAV
— INSP (@_INSP) December 13, 2014

Charity single 'Living on the Street' released to help feed Danish vendors

By Laura Smith

A Danish singer songwriter has released a single to support sellers of Hus Forbi, her local street paper, just in time for Christmas.

Natasja Lee Dickinson's charity single, 'Living on the Street' was inspired by the many hours she spent on the street with Hus Forbi vendors last year.

Natasja gets a Christmas kiss from a Hus Forbi vendor

"As a musician and songwriter, I have met many people on the street and in homeless shelters," said the 37-year-old from Praesto.

"Hearing the magazine sellers' life stories and experiences inspired my thoughts and lyrics, so I wanted to give something in return."

The song was released on 1 December through iTunes. All money raised through sales within the first three months will go towards providing meals for people who sell the street magazine across the country.

"A meal not only nourishes them but offers another opportunity for socializing - both are necessary fuel for a life that can be quite hard when one is excluded or homeless," explained the singer.

"I also wanted to enlighten the Danes about why some people end up on the street - who they are and the story behind their circumstances."

Natasja is well aware of the importance of street papers and has formed a close friendship with her local Hus Forbi seller, so much so that he often doesn't want her to pay for the magazine.


"Life on the street is hard and not everyone can cope with it," added the singer.

"I think selling the magazine prevents loneliness, brings back self-respect and gives vendors a reason to get up in the morning.

"Not only is it a good way to help those in poverty help themselves, it is also a way for society to keep in touch with those who sometimes lose their grip on life."

You can download Natasja's single "Living on the Street" on iTunes here.

Photos by Mette Kramer Kristensen during a Christmas lunch held for the Hus Forbi vendors in 2013.

 

Street paper single "Santa’s Coming Round" celebrates Big Issue vendors

'Tis the season to be jolly ... but it's also the season to spare a thought for the thousands of people around the world who will spend the lead up to Christmas out in the cold selling street papers.

To celebrate his local street paper vendors and raise awareness of the work they do, Glenn Hodge, a British singer songwriter from London-based folk band Glenn Hodge Banned, has written and recorded a fantastic Christmas song just for The Big Issue.


Glenn explained that the song is inspired by a friend of his who helped to set up =Oslo, a magazine written and sold by homeless people in Oslo, Norway.

"The friend became a big influence on me and really opened my eyes to a lot of social issues," said Glenn.

"Things that were happening on my own doorstep that I’d perhaps been blissfully unaware of before. I resolved to do whatever I could to help. I’m a songwriter and I wanted to make a bit of noise for the Big Issue’s cause at this particularly difficult time of year."

The result is Glenn's catchy festive tune 'Santa’s Coming Round'. The song's accompanying video was filmed in London and stars many Big Issue vendors on their pitches around the city.

Glenn added: “In the same way my mate opened my eyes, I’m hoping this single and its accompanying film will open the eyes of some of the people who hear and see it. Or at the very least boost sales of the Christmas mags.”

Macedonian street paper Lice v lice celebrates award win

Team Lice v lice

By Laura Smith

The hard work of staff and vendors at Macedonia’s only street paper, Lice v lice, has been recognised with a prestigious award.

On November 29, Lice v lice received an award celebrating its work with homeless people across the country, during the annual Philanthropy and Social Responsibility Awards held by the Center for Institutional Development (CIRa) in Skopje.

The award is an incredible achievement for the Skopje-based magazine, which started production just two years ago.

Maja Nedelkovska, project coordinator at Lice v lice, said: “This is the first award that we are receiving, and it means a lot to us. It comes after two years of constant battle to keep Lice v lice alive and kicking.”

Klimentina Ilijevski, Lice v lice’s executive director, added: “This award represents the success not only for the team of Lice v lice, but also for all the citizens, organizations, institutions and companies that understand and support our initiative to create a better society for us all.”

Winning the award for ‘Media contributing in philanthropic practices in Macedonia’ has not only been a boost to Lice v lice’s staff but also the 40 plus vendors the magazine works with in four different cities across Macedonia.

“Besides our staff, our vendors need and certainly deserve this kind of recognition for their efforts,” continued Klimentina.

“They have made a step toward their way out of poverty and exclusion. This award is also a recognition that someone notices their efforts and endorses it.

“We hope it will make the brand they wear on their shirts while selling the magazine more visible and will impact the sales of the magazine in a positive way.”

The annual awards aims to recognise charities, social enterprises, CSOs and individuals for their contribution to society and the promotion of values such as solidarity, esteem, ethics, humanity and philanthropy.

Maree Aldam, CEO of INSP, said: “Congratulations to the Lice v lice staff and vendors – this is a fantastic achievement.

“We have been so impressed by the way Lice v lice has grown and developed in the past two years since its launch and it’s great to see their hard work being recognised like this in Macedonia.”

Journalisten-Sonderpreis der AWO Mittelrein geht an den DRAUSSENSEITER

KÖLN. Die Redaktion des Straßenmagazins Draussenseiter wird mit dem Journalisten-Sonderpreis der AWO Mittelrhein als herausragende Redaktion ausgezeichnet. Das Straßenmagazin, das seit über zwanzig Jahre von der Wohnungsloseneinrichtung OASE herausgegeben wird, wird von professionellen Journalisten und Menschen in sozialen Schwierigkeiten gleichsam gemacht. „Wir freuen uns natürlich sehr, dass wir heute nicht nur von unseren vielen Stammlesern geschätzt, sondern auch von der Öffentlichkeit mehr und mehr wahrgenommen werden. Unser Straßenmagazin versteht sich von jeher als Brücke zwischen Menschen, die sonst oft in der selben Stadt oder sogar im selben Haus nebeneinander her leben“, freut sich Chefredakteurin Christina Bacher. Ausgezeichnet werden u.a. Autorinnen und Autoren für herausragende publizistische Leistungen in der lokalen Berichterstattung über soziale Themen im Bereich der AWO Mittelrhein. Ziel ist die Sensibilisierung des öffentlichen Bewusstseins für Armut und soziale Ausgrenzung.

Gestiftet wird der Preis von der Arbeiterwohlfahrt Bezirksverband Mittelrhein e. V., der Sonderpreis ist mit 500 Euro dotiert.

Für Rückfragen zur Arbeit des Magazins wen

den Sie sich direkt an Christina Bacher unter 0178/8924343, die auch gerne Interviews mit der Redakteurin „Kölsche Linda“ oder dem Draussenseiter-Verkäufer Volker D. vermittelt, die viel vom Leben auf der Straße erzählen können.

Christina Bacher
OASE / DRAUSSENSEITER-Redaktion
Alfred-Schütte-Allee 4
50679 Köln
bacher@draussenseiter-koeln.de
www.draussenseiter-koeln.de
0178/8924343

The 2013 International Street Paper Awards: The Finalists

The finalists of the 2013 ‘International Street Paper Awards’ were announced today. The awards were launched in 2008 by INSP, to highlight the outstanding, independent editorial achievements of street papers; and their contribution to social justice.

The awards are held every second year as part of INSP’s annual conference. This year, the ceremony will take place in Munich on 1st August, where winners in nine awards categories will be presented with hand-made made awards created by Glasgow Wood Recycling – a social enterprise that offers volunteering and training as a way of tackling poverty and social exclusion.

This year, for the first time, two new awards categories will also recognise street papers for their effectiveness as social enterprises and their work in supporting homeless people.

This year's call for entries received a record number of entries – 191 in total, from 51 different street papers in 25 countries. The range of finalists are a demonstration of the diversity of the global street paper network:

Best Feature Story – Writing for social impact

• 'Emergency aid in the middle of nowhere' by Florian Blumer, Surprise (Switzerland)
• 'When Systems Offend' by Lindsey Krinks, The Contributor (USA)
• 'Babes in barbarians’ hands' by Michelle Nöthling, The Big Issue South Africa
• 'Condemned at birth' by Jameson Chauluka, The Big Issue Malawi
• 'Storm about the Shelters' by Ryan Gallagher, The Big Issue in the North (UK)

Best Cover – Making a statement on the street

• 'Next Stop Referendum—Scotland’s Road to Independenc'e by Andreas Böhm & Dr. Frieder Schwitzgebel, Die Jerusalëmmer (Germany)
• 'The Standl's by Niko Schmid-Burgk, BISS (Germany)
• 'Face to Face' by Lisa Mansfield, The Big Issue Australia
• 'Water. Will there be enough for everyone?' by Branko Bobic, LICEULICE (Serbia)
• 'The Bitterest Pill' by Kevin Gopal (editor) & Mark Wheeler (designer), The Big Issue in the North (UK)

Click here to view category

Best Interview – A spotlight on change-makers 

• 'My last drink with Shane MacGowan' by Asle Toje, =Norge (Norway)
• 'Mayoral Candidate Conversations' by Andrew Krinks, The Contributor (USA)
• 'Fighting the Disease' by Sean Condon, Megaphone (Canada)
• '‘Mother’, the other word for ‘love’' by Dragana Nikoletic, LICEULICE (Serbia)
• 'Everyone deserves a second chance' by Christina Bacher, Draussenseiter (Germany)

Best Photograph – Evoking deeper perspectives on poverty and injustice

• 'In the Bathtub' by Helga C. Theilgaard, Hus Forbi (Denmark)
• 'The war on hot sand' by Dimitri Koutsomytis, =Norge (Norway)
• ‘Brosteinsball’ by Mari Vold, Sorgenfri (Norway)
• 'Happiness is all around us' by Томислав Георгиев, Lice v lice (Macedonia)
• 'Yemen's Unseen' by Ziryab Al-Ghabri, The Big Issue South Africa

Click here to view category

Best Vendor Essay – A fresh perspective from the street

• 'Things can change' by Neal McLaurin, One Step Away (USA)
• 'Our daily bread' by Andrea Hoschek, Apropos (Austria)
• 'How Facebook ruined my life' by Renee Sawyer, The Contributor (USA)
• 'Views From My Pitch' by Mariann Biron, The Big Issue Australia
• 'Knoken’s Christmas' by ‘Knoken’ (The Knuckle), Megafon (Norway)

Best Design – Effecting change through visual content

• 'Hot!' by Berhnhard Kerbl & Tina Knoll (Erdgeschoss GmbH), Megaphon (Austria)
• 'Christmas book 2012' by Dimitri Koutsomytis, Anlov Peter Mathiesen and Svein Johan Reisang, =Norge (Norway)
• '2012 Collector's Edition' by Dirk Meerkotter, The Big Issue South Africa
• 'The Diamond Jubilee Edition' by Mark Neil / The Big Issue UK design team, The Big Issue UK
• '2012 Christmas Edition' by Berit Burmester, Megafon (Norway)

Click here to view category

Social Development Award – Innovation in vendor support 

• The Big Issue Australia 
• Hempels 
• L’Itinéraire
• Hecho en Bs. As.
• CAIS

     * Special mentions in this category go to BISS and Nota Bene. 

Social Enterprise Award – Business success for social good

• The Big Issue Australia 
• The Big Issue in the North 
• =Norge

Special Award for External Press – Advocating for the needs and rights of homeless people 

• 'Crazy but free!' by Alderon Costa, O Trecheiro (Brazil)
• 'Special Report – Homeless Banker hits rock bottom' by Jonathan Owen, The Independent on Sunday (UK)
• 'Ivorian children find temporary homes in Liberia refugee camp' by Liz Ford, Guardian Global Development (UK)
• Musicals for the homeless: Showtime in the Las Vegas ghetto by Marc Pitzke, Spiegel Online (Germany)

Entries were shortlisted by expert panels of journalists, academics, writers, designers and photographers. A high-profile panel of media and publishing experts, led by INSP’s Honorary President David Schlesinger, then selected winners in the seven editorial categories.

The judging of the ‘Social Enterprise’ and ‘Social Development’ categories was supported by PwC - a leading supporter of social enterprise in the UK.

INSP Executive Director Lisa Maclean said: “The International Street Paper Awards are a real celebration of the diversity of our member street papers around the world. Street paper editors, journalists, designers and photographers work hard every day to report on important issues and create first-class magazines and newspapers for their vendors to sell. It’s great to have the opportunity to celebrate and award these efforts and remind the world what street papers are there to do.

“This year, we are honoured to have had the support of an incredible panel of expert judges, who have dedicated many hours to reading entries and debating and selecting finalists and winners. We are very grateful for their support and expertise."

The winners will be announced by press release immediately after the awards ceremony.

The Big Issue Australia goes digital

The Big Issue Australia recently launched a digital version of their street paper, which will be sold alongside the print copies.

Readers will be given the choice of buying a digital access card, the size of a business card, from vendors and entering their unique access code into a dedicated website. The digital edition has the same content as the fortnightly print edition and works on computers, tablets and smartphones. The digital version will cost $6 – the same as the print copy – with vendors earning $3 from every sale.

The Big Issue Australia's digital model is similar to the one trialed last year by The Big Issue in the North with INSP. Read more.With an increase in people accessing news and entertainment online and on handheld devices, the move provides readers to chose their preferred method of access, whilst still supporting street vendors.

The Big Issue Australia's CEO Steven Persson said the digital edition will not replace the print magazine, but simply give people a choice in how they read it.

“We recognise that an increasing number of people now prefer to read magazines online,” he said. “By offering a digital version, we hope to meet the needs of customers and reach out to new audiences to help increase sales for vendors.”

A sample of the digital edition is available here.

Street papers celebrate 50 years of Franco-German friendship

French street paper Macadam and their German counterpart Trott-War celebrated 50-years of Franco-German friendship with a special joint edition, in both French and German, which was sold on both sides of the Rhine.

The special issue marks the fiftieth anniversary of the signing of the Élysée Treaty which ended centuries of rivalry between the two nations. The 60-page edition, entitled 'Discovery' (Découvertes/Entdeckungen), explores the issue of exclusion in a new light.

The special collaborative edition was launched on April 29th in the Stuttgart town hall, and was attended by the French Consul. A number of German Trott-War vendors also headed to Paris to deliver the issue to Macadam.

The collaboration was made possible thanks to the support of French and German journalists and volunteers. Former Libération Journalist Nadya Charvet lead the project on the French side and Stern reporter Rainer Nübel, on the German.

Of the €3 cover price, €2 goes directly to the vendor and €1 goes back to the parent organisation to ensure the continued publication of the paper.

Homeless CV campaign doubles street paper sales in Stockholm

After a 22% drop in sales, INSP street paper Stockholm Situation partnered up with advertising agency INGO to create a moving series of adverts, in an attempt to boost sales of their street paper during the bitter Swedish winter.

Homeless vendors were invited to write their own personal CVs which were then displayed as posters in the Stockholm Metro, accompanied by a title page which read 'It takes someone special to sell Situation Stockholm'.

The candidly honest resumes document each sellers own story; their education, work and life experience. Where there should be an address, the words 'no permanent' serve as a stark reminder of the precarious position that vendors are in and the challenge of finding work with no fixed address.

Word of the campaign spread rapidly through social media and even made the national news. Most importantly however, sales of the magazine increased by 101.5% with the December issue of the magazine selling out a week early.

Vendor for a day

Philadelphia street paper One Step Away allows people to step into the shoes of vendors to find out what life is really like selling street papers.

Participants in the Vendor for a Day program receive a brief training and orientation program just like vendors do. They then hit the streets with homeless vendors to help sell the paper. The experience offers participants a glimpse into what life is like as a street paper vendor. Read more.

Street paper development in the Balkans

Madeconia's 'LicevLice'

Street papers are flourishing in the Balkans, led by INSP street paper LICEULICE in Serbia. Following the launch of the street paper in 2010, Director Nikoleta Kosovac has working with local t4eams to launch Lice v Lice (Лице в лице), in Macedonia; Liceulice in Bosnia and Herzegovina; and Ball' per ball' in Kosovo. The titles all mean 'face to face' in their respective languages.

All of the papers have their own editorial staff, however content and experience are shared throughout the network.

Network co-ordintor, Nikoleta Kosovac has also recently been involved in sharing her advice and experience with Greece's first street-paper, Shedia, which launched earlier this year.

Regional development between street papers is becoming increasingly common in Europe. Inspired by the UK's Big Issue - which now publishes a single title in southern Englan, Scotland and Wales, Norway's Erlik Foundation recently brought all their regional titles together under one, unified name, =Norge (Equal Norway).