Deadline: September 14, 2025
Applications are open for the Digital News Transformation Fund 2025. DNTF is offering small, medium, and community-based independent news publishers an opportunity to secure funding for projects that drive digital transformation and long-term sustainability in a rapidly evolving media landscape.
Independent publishers are a vital part of South Africa’s democratic infrastructure, providing local, community, and public-interest journalism often not covered by larger news outlets. Yet many face increasing pressure to adapt and survive in a fast-changing media environment. Structural challenges, including declining print revenue, shifting audience habits, and the need to compete in a digital-first news environment, 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 help South African publishers strengthen digital capacity, diversify revenue streams, and future-proof their operations.
Funding
Funding is offered across three tiers:
- Build: Up to R380,000 per year for foundational digital capacity.
- Grow: Up to R950,000 per year for expansion of digital reach.
- Engage: Up to R1,900,000 per year for advanced innovation and revenue models.
Multi-year funding (up to 3 years) is possible subject to performance and annual review.
Eligibility
The DNTF is open to:
- Early-stage news publishers in need of foundational digital tools (such as websites, content management systems, cameras, audio-visual equipment) and guidance to formalise operations.
- Mid-stage news publishers with an established online presence who require strategic and technical support to grow audiences, launch new products, or diversify revenue.
- Established publishers with fewer than 1 million monthly unique website users who are ready to experiment with sector-wide innovations or new business models that can be replicated.
Eligible applicants must:
- Be members in good standing of the Press Council.
- Operate a news publication serving a South African audience.
- Demonstrate a commitment to editorial independence and public-interest journalism.
- Have a clearly defined digital transformation project with measurable outcomes.
- Meet the Fund’s governance and compliance requirements.
Application
Applications will undergo:
- Initial screening for eligibility and completeness.
- Scoring by the Independent Adjudication Committee using the DNT Fund Scoring Matrix.
- Final ratification by the Oversight and Advisory Board and Tshikululu Trustees.
For more information, visit Digital News Transformation Fund.
