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Nesta, hyperlocal and communities

NESTA, the innovation agency is starting a major exploration of the future of hyperlocal media "covering everything from struggling local papers, and reduced local BBC services, through to new Government-backed local TV, and the blogs, online communities and radio stations run by passionate digital activists".

This could be really important to anyone interested in how local media impacts on our communities - for good or ill - as well as those running local blogs and online communities.

At the moment news of the programme is limited to an open call for strategic partners to join NESTA in the programme - but there is promise of an open call for funding in March this year for 10 prototypes, using mobile devices, of up £50K each. The partners call document is here as a pdf. It says partners have to contribute £50k in cash or kind.

An introduction says:

"Together with a broad range of strategic partners, we will develop a 2-3 year programme that tests the economic and social opportunities for hyperlocal media.

"The purpose of Nesta’s programme is to understand the potential for and stimulate a diverse and sustainable UK base of hyperlocal media services that create public value.

"Our work will identify the disruptive technology, business model and content opportunities and challenges for hyperlocal media. Our approach will be predominantly practical – by prototyping the next generation of hyperlocal media services with relevant user-generated content, commercial content, open data, local news, entertainment and sport and content that builds strong local communities".

"The criteria for (pilot funding) selection are to be confirmed, but may include:

How does the prototype develop engagement with local communities?
Can it scale?
Is the business model sustainable?
Capacity to deliver"

This is the first attempt to look at local media in the round, not just from an angle (local papers, local radio, blogs etc) - so there's a good chance it will be useful to consumer-citizens who happily pick and mix whatever is going. It is also important for anyone interested in the future of their town or village, because there's a chance NESTA will look at what's good for communities and not just for media balance sheets. They've been running a very interesting Neighbourhood Challenge that might cross-refer, together with previous work on Mass Localism. The NESTA CEO Geoff Mulgan has promoted the role of online social networks in neighbourliness and reciprocity.

However David Wilcox and other commenters on the blog have raised issues about the approach:

Partners who can continute £50k will inevitably be big institutions, who may shape the programme to their agendas.
The process of mapping->foresight->mobile pilots->dissemination may not offer scope for insights from community (rather than media) interests.
There is currently no transpartency in the process, or interaction.

Fortunately NESTA, in blog comments, have said that it is early days, and they are very open to ideas.
What do you think we might do?
Should we suggest some briefing and interaction with community interests at an early stage? For example, David suggests an open unconference in a follow up post.

For me, someone who is not very techy, I ask what does this mean for our communities? How can we get the best out of the things that are happening in them?

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Permalink Reply by David Wilcox on January 26, 2012 at 20:08

As I mentioned above, I had the chance of a chat about the programme in NESTA with Jon Kingsbury earlier (well, Jon bought me a coffee over the road. I don't think that constitutes undue influence on my impatiality:-). Overall I still think NESTA could have handled programme announcements differently, but there is a real determination to develop an open and inclusive approach, connect with community as well as media interests, and hopefully develop in a way that is helpful to hyperlocalists now as well as in the future. It is early days (if fast moving).One difficulty is that NESTA is going to put out a call for proposals that they will fund, so they have to be entirely even-handed in any briefing and relationships. That impacts on the call for strategic partners, who have been asked to put up £50,000 in kind (see links in Emma's post and my earlier comment for details). The partners will help shape the programme - but can't bid for funds. So how can the smaller community-related interests get a seat at the table, without jeopardising the chance to bid ... and without finding they are stretching their volunteering energy still further? It might seem tidy for small hyperlocal interests to form an alliance - and fine if people are willing to that. I sense that would be welcomed, if it is possible, without too high a bar on the £££ in kind.However I wondered whether instead of going for representation, NESTA might foster more participation: the equivalent of going to the community centre or pub rather than expecting people to turn up to the town hall committees. Maybe that could be done through some open workshops providing a mix of briefing, exploration of ideas, and networking. Not just in London, of course.There is a commitment to a project blog, which will both provide updates and hopefully scope for some online engagement.The current mapping of who's who on the hyperlocal landscape will be published as soon as completed. The foresight consultants have been interviewed, but not yet appointed. From the brief it sounds as if they will engage widely in their research.NESTA, as an innovation agency, is not in the business of simply funding current activity, so they are looking for prototypes that explore the future - see the post above for criteria, which includes community engagement.Since NESTA do seem open to ideas about the process - as well as the prototypes - I think it throws a welcome challenge back to those of us interested both in local communities and the sort of media people can use for themselves and the benefit of those communities. As Will Perrin says above, he has led a few attempts to form networks or alliances. The same is true of those of us interested in community/social reporting. MYbe the time is now right .... so:How can we use this opportunity to come together in some creative, networky yet effective ways, and work with NESTA and others to do good stuff, earn a living, and create some viable media models?Can we create our own innovation outfit, so we aren't just chasing the bigger ones? A lot of hyperlocal innovation so far has come from individuals and small groups. Can we scale?Please do pitch ideas here if you like, directly to jon.kingsbury@nesta.org.uk, or set out your own digital stall, and let us know. My contact details are here. Always up for a coffee and a chat if useful.

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Permalink Reply by David Wilcox on February 2, 2012 at 12:38

The Media Trust have now launched their new site for Newsnet, and I've posted some thoughts here on my blog, with a question about values on the Newsnet blog

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Permalink Reply by Emma Lees on February 3, 2012 at 14:07

Thanks everyone for joining in with this group.

Lets hope that NESTA agree to look at the needs of local communities and involving them before they go ahead and just invite the big boys to the table.

Will -thanks for sharing the work you have been doing out there. I suppose my concerns are not about the partners or the money coming together but more in how this gets to the community so they can be involved. Bearing in mind not everyone/everywhere has the same access to online.

David - agree with the complex about involving communities/bidding

Also, what is the relationships with local journalist/newspapers and this? (i have invited one of my local journalists onto this discussion group).

Pol - I have to say in many ways I agree about seeing these things come and go. Local kiosks were such a mistake where I live but I am pleased to see Will has been talking to NESTA about the work he is doing.