We won!
Regular readers will know that in May we applied to NESTA, the innovations charity, for one of 10 available grants to fund the next generation of local (or ‘hyperlocal’) media.
They received 165 applications to the Destination Local programme, which was launched to support dynamic new local sustainable media projects.
We believe in what we’re doing and so gave the application our best shot. We also wrote something for The Guardian outlining our intentions.
Yesterday they contacted us as to tell us we’d been successful. To say we were chuffed is something of an understatement.
The proposals were all selected by an external panel based on the criteria published on the NESTA website. They also looked to support ‘projects that would complement each other and provide a portfolio of learning for the wider sector’. They felt that our proposal ‘was very strong and had some great ideas on how you would take the service forward.’
So what does the funding mean for The Kentishtowner?
Basically it will become better, sleeker, more forward-thinking. The grant will help us continue to improve The Kentishtowner and keep up with the very latest digital developments. We know from all your feedback that there is an appetite for a quality digital service from a trusted local source.
So, our strong editorial focus will continue as before. We will cover all aspects of this patch of north London and welcome as many contributors as possible without compromising on quality. We hope to deliver more multimedia content, developing an HTML5 version of the website that will really come to life when used on a mobile or tablet.
This means you’ll soon be able to enjoy things like guided history and culture walks featuring our Free Weekend and Wednesday Picture sections, or be alerted to your pick of the day’s discounts and special offers while you walk past pubs, restaurants and other shops in the immediate area and beyond.
So thanks for following The Kentishtowner. Thanks too to all our brilliant contributors.
Right, we’re off to the pub.
10 thoughts on “NESTA Award The Kentishtowner ‘Destination Local’ Funding”
Congratulations!
Well done to the Kentishtowner team, you have all defeinitely earned that drink.
Looking forward to seeing all the shiny new stuff already!
CONGRATULATIONS Stephen and Tom ! Utterly deserved. Brilliant news (I can almost hear Mrs Kentishtowner hyperventilating from here)..
YAY YOU!! Fantastic!
Congratulations! It is well deserved! We’ve only been official Kntishtowners since February when we bought our first flat and you are very much our bible for the area! which we love! such great news all around!
Congratulations guys. One of the first feeds I turn to, essential stuff for those of us in the area.
Happy to volunteer for helping out with development of the new site if you need any dev assistance.
Long live the good ship KentishTowner and all who sail in her!
Smashing news, and well deserved. Did you get to go into NESTA’s space-age headquarters?
Mazeltov xx
Congratulations, fully deserved!
Such good news and well deserved – onwards!!!!!