Applications are open for Google News Initiative Innovation Challenge 2021. As part of this program, the GNI will fund a set of projects from around the world that meet specified criteria, with the intent of producing learning and thought leadership to share with the wider industry.

Basically, the second GNI Innovation Challenge in the Middle East, Turkey & Africa region focuses on reader engagement and new business models in any form. It however follows the highly successful first round of the Challenge for the region; which saw 21 projects from 13 countries receive $1.93 million in funding. As before, Google will fund selected projects up to USD $150,000; and will finance up to 70% of the total project cost.

Eligible Projects

All ideas are welcome but Google News Initiative Innovation Challenge all projects to have clear indicators showing the impact of the project from a user perspective and/or from a business perspective (eg: audience indicators, business plan when relevant). Successful projects will also need to be delivered within one year.

Google encourages innovative projects – focused on but not limited to – the areas below

• Business Models
• Distribution
• Interface
• Social
• Workflow

Project Funding

Google will fund up to $150,000 for selected projects. Google will finance up to 70% of the overall costs of the selected projects. The remaining self-funded costs can be operational costs. Eligible expenses include personnel costs, engineering costs, and the purchase or licensing of any equipment, tools, hardware, software, and other assets or materials necessary for the project as well as marketing expenses; capped to 20% of the total amount requested).

Eligibility Requirements

The Middle East, Turkey & Africa Google News Initiative Innovation Challenge is open to organizations of every size, including freelancers and sole traders, that aim to produce innovative, original journalism and to enlighten citizens with trustworthy journalistic content, whose projects focus on encouraging a more sustainable news ecosystem.

Application Terms and Conditions