The Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF) has unveiled the inaugural cohort of the CJF NextGen Creator-Journalists Training Program.

Supported by the Google News Initiative, the program will provide emerging digital-first journalists with mentorship and hands-on training to build sustainable independent media ventures.

The inaugural cohort includes 20 creator-journalists and media organizations, selected from 57 applications. They span independent digital publications to independent creators, non-profit investigative journalism outlets, and hyperlocal newsrooms, including:

Beach Metro Community News, a non-profit community newsroom serving Toronto’s east end since 1972, in print and digital publications;

Black Canadian Creators (via The Chonilla Network), a podcast and online platform created by Sherley Joseph, founder of The Chonilla Network.

The Breach, a non-profit outlet producing journalism on inequality, climate, colonialism and racism;

Bubble Pop Media, journalist Rachel Gilmore’s independent platform featuring coverage of politics and extremism, which has a following of more than 500,000 across social platforms;

Cart Culture, an emerging project on how Canadians shop for food and navigate grocery systems;

Deep Rooted Productions, trauma-informed investigative video journalism centred on northern and remote communities, led by Inuvik-based videojournalist and multimedia storyteller Karli Zschogner;

Documenters Canada, a civic-engagement organization that trains and pays community members to document public meetings with local partners, inspired by Documenters.org,  a project started by City Bureau in Chicago to produce news designed for and with communities;

Emelia Fournier, a Métis community journalist covering policing, housing, and Indigenous and marginalized communities;

The Flatlander, a Prairie-focused outlet covering underserved communities in Saskatchewan and Manitoba;

Future of Good, a Canadian outlet focused on the non-profit and social purpose sector;

The Green Line, a Toronto newsroom using social video, newsletters and events to drive civic engagement, led by publisher and editor-in-chief Anita Li;

The Level, a news platform presenting two opposing perspectives to build media literacy and understanding, founded by publisher Neil Malik with Stephen Smysnuik serving as editor-in-chief;

Mon Plateau, a hyperlocal newsletter-based outlet serving Montreal’s Plateau-Mont-Royal neighbourhood;

New Canadian Media, a national outlet elevating immigrant journalists and grassroots newcomer perspectives;

The Newcomers, an outlet exploring immigrant experiences through podcasts, guides and narrative features;

Pivot Québec, a progressive French-language outlet providing daily news, analysis and investigations in Quebec;

PressProgress, a non-profit newsroom producing investigative and explanatory journalism on social and democratic issues;

RepresentASIAN Project, Canada’s leading platform centring Asian North American stories;

Tech Won’t Save Us / Disconnect, a critical tech podcast, hosted by Paris Marx, and newsletter examining industry power, AI and politics; and

Vainqueur, a digital platform covering Canadian fashion and beauty with designer-first reporting and data insights.

CJF says the program will emphasize hands-on instruction in audience development, monetization, strategy, staffing, editorial standards, funding and business development through workshops, coaching and mentorship from industry experts. Participants who successfully complete the program are eligible for post-program ambassador stipends of up to $10,000 to support continued development of their projects.

“We are thrilled to welcome such a diverse and dynamic inaugural cohort,” said CJF President and Executive Director Natalie Turvey, in an announcement. “These news creators represent the remarkable diversity of Canada’s digital-first media communities – geographically, culturally and linguistically, as well as in the communities they serve, the subjects they cover and the formats and platforms they use to bring news to audiences.

“They are creating compelling journalism that resonates with their audiences, and I am excited for the ways in which this program will help them scale their impact and build long-term sustainability.”

“This program recognizes that the journalism of today and tomorrow lives across platforms and formats, and that creators play an increasingly important role in informing communities and audiences,” added Jeff Elgie, co-chair of the CJF’s board of directors. “The CJF is excited to support this group of innovators who are expanding how and where Canadians access credible information, hold power to account and share stories that might otherwise go untold.”