Funding from The United Nations Democracy Fund

In November, INSP learned that a funding application made to the UNDEF was successful. Despite the enormous competition, INSP was awarded $350,000 over 2 years to develop our African street-paper network. The project will focus on increasing the flow and quality of news coming from our African street papers as well as building the capacity of individual papers.

The project will enable INSP to hire a development professional and trainer to work on the ground with our local papers and The Big Issue Zambia will co-ordinate various regional activities, including an annual conference. Additional journalism training will be provided by external media, including regional Inter Press Service. We are very grateful to the UNDEF for their support. In November, INSP learned that a funding application made to the UNDEF was successful. Despite the enormous competition, INSP was awarded $350,000 over 2 years to develop our African street-paper network. The project will focus on increasing the flow and quality of news coming from our African street papers as well as building the capacity of individual papers. The project will enable INSP to hire a development professional and trainer to work on the ground with our local papers and The Big Issue Zambia will co-ordinate various regional activities, including an annual conference. Additional journalism training will be provided by external media, including regional Inter Press Service. We are very grateful to the UNDEF for their support.

Reuters Reception for INSP

On November 30th, Thomson Reuters hosted exclusive reception on behalf of INSP at the Reuters Building at Canary Wharf in London.

David Schlesinger [right], Editor-in-Chief of Reuters News and INSP Honorary President, reflected upon the past successes of INSP and looked to the future of the organisation in the company of many high profile figures from the worlds of business and media. INSP Chairperson Serge Lareault also spoke at the event, sharing his experience of the street paper movement.

INSP staff attended the event, along with Chairperson Serge Lareault, who reflected on his experience of the street paper movement and his hopes for an exciting and dynamic future. Serge's colleague Richard Turgeon, L'Itineraire's Director of Strategic Development, Marketing and Communications also attended.

This event is the final of a series of special 15th anniversary celebrations for INSP, which took place throughout 2009, including a Civic Reception in Glasgow; the 14th annual conference and the second INSP awards in Norway. Click here for pictures of the event.

SNS internship available

INSP is seeking a Street News Service intern to join the Glasgow team in January 2010.

INSP Staffing

During INSP's face-to-face board meeting, Network Development Officer, Maree Aldam was promoted to Network Services Manager to reflect her increasing responsibilities over recent months.

In 2010 due to various funding successes, INSP is delighted to announce that 3 new staff will be hired, doubling INSP's current staff quota. These new positions will help to develop INSP's services to members and to expand its level of international activity and sustainability. The new positions will be: News Service Editor, African Regional Trainer and Marketing and Business Manager. All job descriptions will be advertised and circulated to members in due course.

INSP 2009 board meeting

Left to right - Joanne Zuhl, Trudy Vlok,
Lisa Maclean, Serge Lareault, Michaela
Gründler and Arkady Tyurin. Photo
courtesy of The Herald

The board of INSP meets with the Executive Director Lisa Maclean every month by telephone conference and twice each year for a face-to-face meeting. This week, our 5 board members from Russia, USA, Canada, South Africa and Austria met with INSP staff in Glasgow for an important 4 day planning meeting. Staff and board reviewed the work and finances for 2008 - 2009; redrafted strategies on fundraising and marketing & communication; evaluated projects and partnerships; and drafted a new business plan and strategy for 2010 - 2012.