The Media Forward Fund is the first cross-border journalism grant fund in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It supports public-interest media in developing sustainable business models to ensure their long-term viability. In addition to financial support, the Media Forward Fund also provides training and networking opportunities. The newly launched Upskilling Program targets nonprofit media across the DACH region and addresses a central challenge: solid knowledge in media management and media economics is essential for success, yet it is unevenly distributed and often hard to access. The Upskilling Program now brings media professionals together to share knowledge and expertise.
![[Translate to Englisch:] Martin Kotynek | Foto: Peter Rigaud](/fileadmin/_processed_/6/a/csm_Web_MartinKotynek_a9f2fdc77d.png)
»With the Upskilling Program, we are closing a key gap: building media-economic skills for independent media. After the first year of the Media Forward Fund and three funding rounds, the need is clear. We want to strengthen a resilient, public-interest media ecosystem in the DACH region – one that understands journalism as democratic infrastructure.«
Martin Kotynek, Founding CEO of the Media Forward Fund
Grantees, potentially eligible media organizations, and alumni across the DACH region can expand their media management skills and share knowledge through the Upskilling Program. The program includes thematic deep dives, exchange meetings with media organizations within the MFF network, and individual coaching. The focus area »Science and Data Journalism« is funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space (BMFTR). For deep dives, learning visits, and community gatherings, the Media Forward Fund and the Science Press Conference (WPK) receive 300,000 euros over three years. The program is also supported by the Knight Foundation from the USA.
Kickoff in Zurich
In mid-November, the program launched with the support of the Swiss Gottlieb and Hans Vogt Foundation at the first deep dive event. 65 media professionals gathered in Zurich to share experiences on how to grow public-interest business models using data. In so-called »Case Clinics«, participants worked on solutions for specific challenges.
Among the participants were two media organizations funded by the Media Forward Fund – »Medienhaus andererseits« and »Tsüri« – who shared their learnings. »Medienhaus andererseits« provided insights into building its data-driven subscription strategy and how data serves as the basis for analysis and decision-making. »Tsüri« demonstrated how to achieve strong results on Instagram and Facebook using the principle of testing with minimal effort and then scaling based on data.
Shared Knowledge in the Knowledge Hub
In the »Knowledge Hub«, the Media Forward Fund now provides media-economic knowledge, practical tips, and insights from its grantees. It offers concrete guidance on audience development, revenue models, and product development, real-life insights into scaling public-interest business models, as well as detailed case stories from funded media organizations. More information is available here: Knowledge Hub.