What if homelessness was a rare occurrence rather than a widespread issue? By addressing homelessness via the Advance to Zero approach, communities and agencies around Australia are working together to reach “functional zero” – where housing and services are available for everyone who needs them.

Australia’s 'Advance to Zero' approach to ending homelessness

Sarah Britz, who previously worked at one of Sweden’s largest daily newspapers, made a change twp decades into her career, becoming editor-in-chief of Gothenburg-based street paper Faktum, where she has now been for seven years. She considers it the fulfilment of a dream of the type of journalism she strived for when first becoming interested in the media industry. In this op-ed she outlines her journey, and explains why street paper journalism and the INSP News Service make an impact directly on people’s lives.

“Reading a street paper provides a new picture of what is happening in the world”: Faktum editor-in-chief on why street paper journalism matters

Luciano “Bebu” Saavedra can be found at the intersection of Rivadavia and Combate de los Pozos Streets in Buenos Aires selling the street paper. Here, he chats with Fernando Espósito – a former Hecho vendor – about homelessness, the desaparecidos (disappeared) of the last dictatorship, the current economic situation in Argentina, and the need to sell more papers.

Hecho en Bs. As. vendor Luciano ‘Bebu’ Saavedra: “You can’t put a price on freedom”

Canadian street paper Megaphone has launched a new peer newsroom consisting of more than a dozen vendors and storytellers who gather monthly to determine the direction of the magazine. It’s part of a partnership that will develop journalism best practices for reporting on marginalized communities. Paula Carlson, Megaphone’s managing editor, explains more.

Introducing The Shift, Vancouver-based street paper Megaphone’s co-creational newsroom

In the nine years that he has been selling Liceulice, Tomislav Martic has been chosen as vendor of the month several times. But things weren’t easy for him at the start. Martic credits Living Together, which is run by Liceulice’s partner organisation – the Association for Helping People with Developmental Disabilities, with helping him to overcome the shyness and discomfort he felt when engaging with others. Nowadays he views the organisation as a second home.

Liceulice vendor Tomislav Martic: "My work has had such a positive effect on me"

On the occasion of Big Issue North’s final edition as an independent magazine, its editor Kevin Gopal – in the role for 16 years – talks about some of the defining moments for him and his editorial team at the magazine.

Big Issue North editor Kevin Gopal: “I’ve been editor through the financial crash, austerity and now the cost of living crisis. What does marginalisation mean when nearly everyone’s being pushed to the margins?”

On the occasion of Big Issue North’s final edition, ceasing publication of an independent Big Issue magazine for the north of England due to multiple factors, the head of The Big Life Group and CEO of Big Issue North writes about the history of the magazine, why it was an important journalistic touchstone, and how it will continue to support vendors in the future.

Big Issue North CEO Fay Selvan: “I am proud that we continued publishing gritty content, focused on real life stories, with a local northern perspective for the last 30 years”

As part of an ongoing campaign to highlight the importance of street paper journalism, Israel Bayer, who leads on INSP’s North America project, writes in this op-ed about the power of journalism and storytelling in affecting societal change, and how street papers are doing so whilst also supporting people to maintain a dignified income.

INSP North America director: “Street papers believe in the idea that journalism can bring people together to make the world we live in a better place”

To mark World Press Freedom Day, Tony Inglis discusses the recent cuts at independent media organisations, how street papers are not immune from the threat, and the importance of a diverse media ecosystem.

INSP editor Tony Inglis: "Street papers have forged their own path in journalism. Now they need your support"

Through the INSP News Service, we write, edit and translate hundreds of articles each year for distribution to street papers around the world. The Service supports street papers to go to print, enabling people in need to earn an income and independent media to thrive.  One of the organisations that benefits from the Service is Mi Valedor in Mexico City.


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