The Media Development Investment Fund (MDIF) has announced Solacebase and 10 other organizations as the first set of participants in its Nigeria Media Innovation Program (NAMIP).
A statement from the organization said the successful participants were selected from over 200 applications after careful consideration by an Advisory Committee comprising leading professionals in journalism, business, academia, and innovative enterprise.
It said the 3-year initiative would be working to increase capacity, generate sustainable and diverse revenue streams, and build audiences of independent media in Nigeria, particularly those reaching underserved communities.
”NAMIP is implemented by Media Development Investment Fund, a not-for-profit investment fund for independent media, and funded by MacArthur Foundation to accelerate digital innovation and foster new business models for independent media in Nigeria.”
‘’Launched in February 2022, it seeks to support the editorial independence of media organizations by strengthening their financial sustainability, the statement said.
‘’The 11 participants are media organizations who are building innovative news and information products which explore opportunities to reach and connect with broader audiences through digital platforms and technologies, and develop new revenue generation opportunities and sustainable business models.’’
According to the statement, these participants are mission-driven organizations passionate about trying new approaches to local news and information:
They include Solacebase, Dubawa, HumAngle, TV 360, Culture Custodian, Edugist, Farming Farmers Farms, Foundation for Investigative Journalism, Lavun Community Radio, Prime Progress, and Voix Collective.
Bilal Randeree, Media Development Investment Fund (MDIF) Program Director for Africa & MENA, said that the participants will benefit from a combination of grant funding, technical assistance, and strategic capacity-building interventions.
“We look forward to assisting these organizations with finding the space and opportunity to innovate so that they can grow their audiences and increase their revenue to become financially sustainable.”
Recalls that Solacebase and 25 other organizations won MacArthur Foundation’s Collaborative Media Engagement for Development Inclusivity and Accountability grant in 2022.
