Established
2025
The Zimbabwe Fund for Public Interest Media (ZiFPIM) was established in 2025 to explore new ways of financing public interest media in Zimbabwe.
Purpose
Bridge the financing gap
Its establishment followed growing concern about the financial sustainability of public interest media organisations and the need to look beyond existing approaches to funding the sector. Grants remain essential to public interest journalism, particularly where the public value created by journalism does not generate sufficient commercial returns. But grants do not meet every organisational need.
Media organisations also need resources to invest in technology, develop new products, grow and understand their audiences, strengthen revenue, improve organisational systems and build greater financial resilience.
“Connecting the two requires appropriate financing approaches, stronger organisations and a trusted mechanism.”
Research commissioned by International Media Support (IMS) examined this challenge from two sides: the financing needs and investment readiness of public interest media organisations, and the potential for mobilising a broader range of capital to support the sector.
The findings pointed to both a need and an opportunity. Public interest media organisations face significant financing constraints, while potential sources of capital exist beyond the funding they currently access.
ZiFPIM was established to help bridge that gap. Today, its work centres on three connected areas: innovative finance, entrepreneurial capacity development and enabling cooperation.