Digital News Transformation Fund 2025 for South African Publishers – YOA

Deadline: September 14, 2025

Applications are open for the Digital News Transformation Fund 2025. DNTF is providing small, medium, and neighborhood-primarily based unbiased information publishers an OPPORTUNITY to safe funding for initiatives that drive digital transformation and lengthy-time period sustainability in a quickly evolving media panorama.

Independent publishers are a significant part of South Africa’s democratic infrastructure, offering native, neighborhood, and public-curiosity journalism typically not coated by bigger information retailers. Yet many face growing stress to adapt and survive in a quick-altering media setting. Structural challenges, together with declining print income, shifting viewers habits, and the necessity to compete in a digital-first information setting, have intensified.

The R114-million Fund is a partnership between Google and the Association of Independent Publishers (AIP) and administered by Tshikululu Social Investments. The fund is designed to assist South African publishers strengthen digital capability, diversify income streams, and future-proof their operations.

Funding

Funding is obtainable throughout three tiers:

• Build: Up to R380,000 per yr for foundational digital capability.
• Grow: Up to R950,000 per yr for growth of digital attain.
• Engage: Up to R1,900,000 per yr for superior innovation and income fashions.

Multi-year funding (as much as 3 years) is feasible topic to efficiency and annual assessment.

Eligibility

The DNTF is open to:

• Early-stage information publishers in want of foundational digital instruments (corresponding to web sites, content material administration programs, cameras, audio-visible gear) and steerage to formalise operations.
• Mid-stage information publishers with a longtime on-line presence who require strategic and technical help to develop audiences, launch new merchandise, or diversify income.
• Established publishers with fewer than 1 million month-to-month distinctive web site customers who’re able to experiment with sector-extensive improvements or new enterprise fashions that may be replicated.

Eligible candidates should:

• Be members in good standing of the Press Council.
• Operate a information publication serving a South African viewers.
• Demonstrate a dedication to editorial independence and public-curiosity journalism.
• Have a clearly outlined digital transformation mission with measurable outcomes.
• Meet the Fund’s governance and compliance necessities.

Application

Applications will bear:

• Initial screening for eligibility and completeness.
• Scoring by the Independent Adjudication Committee utilizing the DNT Fund Scoring Matrix.
• Final ratification by the Oversight and Advisory Board and Tshikululu Trustees.

Click here to apply

For extra data, go to Digital News Transformation Fund.