bitternepark.info is one of only ten similar services nationally selected by innovation foundation Nesta to receive funding and support over the next few months as part of a research project.
The funding, to take part in an 'Action Research in Audience Analytics' exercise, will be the first bitternepark.info will have received in its ten-year history – apart from revenue the site's generated itself, mainly from advertising.
Over 36 applications to take part were received from what are often known as 'hyperlocal websites' – those offering “online news or content services pertaining to a town, village, single postcode or other small, geographically defined community in the UK that create public value”.
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Analysis shows there are around 400 active hyperlocal websites in the UK* – although that figure could actually be far higher.
One in ten use community websites
Ofcom has found that one in five people now say that online is their most important local news medium, and one in 10 use local community websites or apps at least weekly (up from 7% in 2013).
“bitternepark.info is among the 13% of hyperlocal sites that have managed to develop a base level of income, but a fair proportion of the work is still voluntary. So it's a great endorsement to have been selected for the project, and hopefully one outcome is that we can bolster sustainability for the site,” said editor Guy Phillips.
Nesta says the funded services will each: “Explore how a more strategic use of website and social media analytics might help them define and measure their success online, improve services, audience engagement and reach, and, in turn, their sustainability and legacy within their local community”.
We're pleased to be working on the project with the other services receiving funding:
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Telford Live in Telford, Shropshire
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Roseland Online in Roseland, Cornwall
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A Little Bit of Stone in Stone, Staffordshire
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My Turriff in Turriff, Aberdeenshire
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The Bristol Cable in Bristol
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Star and Crescent in Portsmouth, Hampshire
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On the Wight in the Isle of Wight
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West Leeds Dispatch in Leeds, Yorkshire
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The Richmond Noticeboard in Richmond, North Yorkshire
Link
www.nesta.org.uk/
* Excludes UK newspaper group sites