INSP Awards 2024: shortlists and winners

Best Vendor Support

The shortlist featured Kralji ulice’s primary health services, L’itinéraire’s mentoring programme, Megaphone’s vendor mentorship programme, Mi Valedor’s zine project and Street Roots’ severe weather funds.

“For me, a great vendor support programme should be about empowering vendors, building community and providing an additional income source for people who need it,” said INSP board member Amanda Jones. “All of the entries were so good at showcasing that.”

The award went to Megaphone.

Megaphone’s vendor mentorship programme, introduced in early 2023, pairs up new and veteran vendors, nurturing personal growth and bolstering income opportunities. Mentors help mentees to engage customers and make sales. In its first year, more than 150 mentorships were held throughout Vancouver as a paid opportunity for vendors, with mentors and mentees earning $20 per hour for their participation.

“We would just like to thank you so much for honouring our work and vendors,” said Devon Tremain.

Best Photo

The shortlist featured =Oslo, BISS, bodo, HEMPELS, Faktum, The Contributor, Surprise and Street Roots.

“For me, a great photo asks questions about how something is perceived, or makes the viewer look twice to really understand what the photograph is telling them,” said INSP board member Steven Persson.

The award went to HEMPELS.

“We’re really overwhelmed and very happy,” said Jo Tein. “Thank you very much!”

Best Vendor Contribution

The shortlist featured Fedél Nélkül, Hus Forbi, Kralji ulice, Megaphone and Street Sense Media.

“Great contributions by vendors give street papers another layer. It allows us to hear a deeper story of exclusion and homelessness, and it gives a greater credibility to the street paper,” said INSP board member Sarah Britz. “Not only that, but vendors gain power and the chance to have their own voices heard. Their lived experience becomes a valuable tool for a deeper knowledge.”

The award went to Hus Forbi.

Hus Forbi vendor Natalia wrote about her experience of sex work. Her work took in a wide range of subjects, from sugardating to being pressured into sex work – and everything before and after. The piece explores the impact of her childhood, and how growing up without boundaries made it hard for her to set them in adulthood. Natalia’s story goes beyond the stereotypes that dominate reporting in this area, revealing all the nuance and humanity that emerge in their place.

“Thank you – it means a lot to us,” said Simon Solhøj Nielsen. “Like the rest of you, we work every day for this.”

Best Campaign

The shortlist featured Curbside Chronicle’s investigation into America’s opiod epidemic, Face to Face’s successful campaign to amend North Macedonia’s Civil Registration Law, Krajli ulice’s 200 Steps to the Sky exhibition to mark their 200th issue, Shedia’s 10th anniversary awareness raising campaign, and Street Roots’ homelessness community group programme Civic Circles.

“Campaigning covers so many areas – investigative journalism, influencing your politicians or communities or highlighting the importance of street papers to marginalised people,” said INSP board member Nikoleta Kosovac. “I made my decision by looking for an entry that best combined a clear goal, a strong message and real impact.”

The award went to Face to Face.

Driven by the memory of a vendor who died due to severe health issues while lacking legal recognition by the state, Face to Face campaigned to improve the plight of stateless people in North Macedonia. Their tireless campaigning culminated in the amendment of the Civil Registration Law, a landmark change that significantly improved the quality of life for marginalised people.

Best Cover

The shortlist featured Asfalt, BISS, Curbside Chronicle, Denver Voice, Face to Face, Faktum, Fedél Nélkül, Hinz&Kunzt, Hus Forbi, L’itinéraire, Liceulice, Megaphone, Mi Valedor, Novy Prostor, Rohee, Scarp de’ tenis, Shedia, StreetWise, Surprise and The Big Issue Australia.

The award, decided by the public, went to Scarp de’ tenis.

“This is the first cover that we posted in our native language,” said Roberto Guaglianone. “This cover was really, really powerful.”