Local Journalism Initiative
The Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) supports the creation of original civic journalism that covers the diverse needs of underserved communities across Canada, including the needs of underrepresented groups.
Funding is available to eligible Canadian media organizations to hire journalists or pay freelance journalists to produce civic journalism for underserved communities.
The LJI is complemented by the Changing Narratives Fund – LJI Stream.
To protect the independence of the press, three (3) not-for-profit organizations deliver the Initiative, jointly representing the different segments of the news industry.
Community Media Coalition, represented by the
Community Radio Fund of Canada (CRFC)
News Media Canada
Consortium of Official Language
Minority Community Media
News Media Canada and the Community Media Coalition, represented by the Community Radio Fund of Canada, are pleased to be working together to deliver a harmonized and consistent LJI program across multiple media sectors.
Applications for the 2025-2027 program are now open via the online application portal.
The Consortium of Official Language Minority Community Media has delivered a separate LJI program for their supported media sectors. You can learn more on their website.
ASSESSMENT AND
SELECTION PROCESS
ELIGIBLITY
NEWS DISTRIBUTION PORTALS
FREQUENCY – CMC/CRFC
FRÉQUENCE – CMC/CRFC
LJI NEWS CENTRE – NMC
NOUVELLES – COLMCM
CREATIVE COMMONS
The content produced through the support of this program is made available to media organizations through a Creative Commons license so that Canadians can be better informed. In addition to a media organization’s publication, the journalistic content are made available via LJI distribution portals.
CONTACT
Looking to apply to the Local Journalism Initiative?
Do you have questions about your media organization’s eligibility?
Please contact CMC/CRFC LJI Coordinator Francella Fiallos for more information!
Send an email to lji-ijl@crfc-fcrc.ca to set up a phone call or video call.
News Media Canada can be contacted here: lji@newsmediacanada.ca
The Consortium of Official Language Minority Community Media can be contacted here: ijl-lji@olconsortiumlo.ca
MAILING LIST
Please sign up to the mailing list to receive updates from the CRFC about the LJI and the CNF – LJI stream.
RESOURCES
Nov 28, 2025 – LJI launch press release
Comments? Questions?
We welcome applications from eligible media organizations, but we anticipate that demand for funding will exceed our allocation. If you have questions regarding the decision on your application, please book a meeting with Program Officer Francella Fiallos. If you are not satisfied with the decision on your application, complaints can be filed with the CRFC via the procedure outlined in the CRFC’s Appeal Policy.
If you have any feedback, questions, or comments on our news distribution portals Frequency or Fréquence, please email francella@crfc-fcrc.ca. You will receive a confirmation that the complaint has been received and we will work with you to resolve your concerns. Should you not be satisfied with the proposed resolution, you may escalate your concern to our Executive Director Alex Freedman, who can be reached at alex@crfc-fcrc.ca.
