Street papers face declining print sales and barriers to growth. New partnerships, content sharing, and mentoring are helping these publications adapt. Here’s how media professionals can support their future.
Street papers such as The Big Issue have long provided a vital income stream for people affected by homelessness, but the business model is under increasing pressure. For publishers and media professionals, the survival of these papers raises urgent questions about representation, revenue, and the future of print-based social enterprises.
The Big Issue, founded 30 years ago, pioneered the vendor model, allowing individuals experiencing poverty to sell magazines for profit. Today, it is a founding member of The International Network of Street Papers (INSP), which now includes 92 member publications across 35 countries. Newer titles like Dope Magazine, launched in 2024, have joined the network, which spans regions from South Africa to Australia and Peru.
However, street papers are grappling with the same challenges facing the wider media industry-often with greater intensity. Declining print sales, reduced urban foot traffic, and the impact of the pandemic have made it harder for vendors to reach customers. Each INSP member operates as a separate social enterprise, responsible for its own income. Traditional revenue streams such as print sales and advertising are shrinking, prompting experimentation with new models. For example, Norway's largest street paper, =Oslo, has trained vendors as baristas to run coffee shops, generating additional income and boosting magazine sales.
Geopolitical factors also play a role. The presence or absence of street papers in certain regions often reflects local press freedom and political conditions. INSP operates on an application basis, only establishing papers where there is both demand and a safe environment for vendors. Restrictive regimes in much of Africa, Asia, and the Middle East make it difficult or impossible for street papers to function.
Another challenge is ensuring authentic representation of people experiencing homelessness and poverty. In the UK, only about nine percent of journalists in top positions come from working-class backgrounds, according to Reuters Institute data. This lack of diversity, combined with persistent stigma and 'poverty romanticization,' means many stories remain untold or misunderstood.
To address this, INSP launched the "Changing the Narrative" academy, training people with lived experience to write their own stories for street papers. Mike Findlay-Agnew, chief executive of INSP, reported that readers are more likely to buy a paper when vendors have contributed to its content. In the US, vendors who tell customers they are featured in the publication often see higher sales.
The academy’s 10-week program included workshops on media fundamentals, news types, trust, bias, and headline writing. Participants completed assignments and received one-on-one support. A highlight was a panel with senior journalists and a college representative, which led to at least one participant securing a place on a journalism course. Fifteen participants completed the program, earning certificates and seeing their stories published through INSP’s global news service and a new newspaper, The New Narrative. A second phase is under consideration.
INSP has built media partnerships to support its members. One key collaboration is with Reuters, which provides free access to Reuters images via the Reuters Connect platform. This resource helps street papers enhance their editorial work and support their mission to address homelessness and poverty.
INSP is seeking further industry collaboration. Newsrooms and organizations can help by sharing content, especially stories on social issues or underrepresented voices, for INSP’s newswire. Journalists and editors can volunteer as trainers or mentors for the Changing the Narrative academy. Newsrooms might also offer work experience or paid placements to academy graduates, providing valuable opportunities for both the individuals and the organizations involved. Amplifying street paper stories and advocating for more representative coverage of homelessness and poverty can also make a difference.
Momentum is building at the political level. At a recent Westminster event, supported by MPs Martin Rhodes and Chris Kane, INSP called for greater industry and government support. The event brought together political leaders, media organizations, and funders to discuss ways to amplify the voices of street papers and their vendors. Findlay-Agnew emphasized the importance of leveraging political and media partnerships to increase representation of lived experience in coverage.
These efforts align with broader research into civic engagement and representation in media. For example, a recent study on civic engagement profiles highlights how participation and representation vary across social and news contexts, underscoring the need for more inclusive storytelling in journalism.
