The Changing Narratives Fund (CNF) is an initiative that supports diverse communities (i.e. Indigenous, Black, racialized, ethno-religious minority, people with disabilities and 2SLGBTQI+ communities) to share their stories, experiences, and perspectives so that their voices are accurately and authentically represented in the media, and culture sectors in Canada. The CNF is a distinct stream under the Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) that seeks to cultivate a media landscape that authentically reflects the diversity of Canada’s peoples, experiences, and cultures.

The CNF-LJI stream will provide funding to eligible Canadian media organizations to hire Indigenous Peoples, Black, racialized, ethno-religious minorities, persons with disabilities, and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities as journalists to produce civic journalism for underserved communities.

These organizations will offer mentoring, training, and professional development activities to increase their participation in the media sector at all career stages.

The objective of the CNF is to implement incentives and initiatives that encourage greater participation of diverse communities and organizations in the culture and media sectors. To achieve this objective, the CNF provides support for mentorship, training and professional development opportunities for diverse communities at all career stages so that members from these communities could increase their participation in the creative sectors.

Deadline: In the context of the Comprehensive Expenditure Review and as per Canadian Heritage’s Departmental Plan 2026-27, the Changing Narratives Fund will not be renewed and will sunset, as planned, on March 31, 2027. Funding allocations for 2026–2027 are being implemented as planned.

https://crfc-fcrc.ca/en/changing-narratives/