Hyperlocal news titles across the UK have been given a total of €160,000 in emergency cash from a Facebook-funded scheme.

The European Journalism Centre and the Facebook Journalism Project has revealed 56 organisations have received grants as part of the European Journalism COVID-19 Support Fund, which was launched last month.

In the first wave of grants, the Bedford Independent, Saddleworth Independent, London-based Social Spider CIC and the Southwark News have each received €25,000.

Grants of €10,000 have been awarded to Newry.ie, Clydesider Creative, the Llanelli Standard, Switch Radio, On The Wight and Altrincham Today.

In a statement, the EJC said: “The funds are helping organisations cover the salaries of staff members; bring on board freelancers; replace revenue from the making and distribution of printed publications or from donations/subscriptions/membership; supplement or replace lost advertising revenue or revenue from complementary business activities, such as events; and pay for rent, equipment and other technology essential to executing their work.

“The EJC received an unprecedented response to our call for the Fund – 1,857 applications in total. Of these, 988 were for the Emergency Fund.”

It added: “In the coming weeks, we will announce the news organisations and freelance journalists receiving funding through the Engagement Fund and the Innovation Fund.”

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