The Kyiv Independent launches program to aid regional Ukrainian newsrooms with revenue diversification

• The Kyiv Independent, Delfi Meedia, and MTÜ Mondo are launching a consulting program for regional Ukrainian news outlets.
• The program aims to help newsrooms build sustainable revenue streams and diversify income.
• Five outlets will be selected for one-on-one consulting and potential grants of €10,000.
• Applications are open until July 8, 2026.
• The initiative is supported by ESTDEV.

The Kyiv Independent, in collaboration with Estonian media group Delfi Meedia and development organization MTÜ Mondo, has initiated a program designed to bolster independent regional newsrooms across Ukraine. This initiative aims to equip these outlets with the strategies and support needed to diversify their revenue streams, thereby reducing their reliance on external grant funding.

The program will select five Ukrainian media outlets to receive personalized consulting from experienced media managers at The Kyiv Independent and Delfi Meedia. These sessions will focus on identifying and developing viable income diversification strategies tailored to each newsroom's specific needs, culminating in a concrete implementation plan.

Outlets that successfully complete the consulting phase will be eligible for grants of €10,000 to implement or scale new revenue streams. Further professional development opportunities include a training retreat in the Carpathian Mountains in August and a study tour to Estonia in November 2026.

Regional and local Ukrainian media outlets are invited to apply, with a preference for those demonstrating existing ideas and readiness to implement revenue diversification strategies. Applications are due by July 8, 2026, with selected participants notified by July 15. The consulting program is scheduled to commence shortly thereafter.

This effort builds upon The Kyiv Independent's previous support for fellow Ukrainian newsrooms. In 2025, the outlet successfully organized a crowdfunding campaign that raised over $66,000 to aid three local newsrooms facing funding challenges due to the suspension of USAID support. Zakhar Protsiuk, COO of The Kyiv Independent, emphasized the organization's deep commitment to supporting independent media within Ukraine.

The program receives support from ESTDEV, the Estonian Centre for International Development, underscoring a collaborative international effort to foster media sustainability in Ukraine.