Canadian News Entrepreneurs: Connect with other independent publishers through LION’s peer learning groups

Independent publishing can be lonely, but it doesn’t have to be. LION Publishers wants to help news entrepreneurs across Canada connect and build new relationships. 

Based on the success of past peer learning groups, we’re launching three new groups this summer to help Canadian news entrepreneurs share experiences and learn from each other as they work to build more sustainable news businesses. 

Each group will be led by a LION community ambassador and will meet monthly from August to October to discuss the highs and lows of local publishing. Apply to join a group by Friday, July 25, at 5 p.m. PT.

Each group will have a specific focus: 

1. Exploring autonomous tech stacks and the open social web, led by Rainer Fehrenbacher of The Langley Union
2. Mindful journalism for sustainable careers, led by Sandra Hannebohm of Twice As Good Media
3. Scaling micro newsrooms (less than two full-time employees), led by Kelly-Anne Riess of The Flatlander

Groups will meet virtually for 90 minutes each month. Participants will also have the option to join a private Slack group or other messaging platform to communicate between meetings.

The deadline to apply for a peer group is Friday, July 25, at 5 p.m. PT. This program is made possible through LION’s partnership with the Google News Initiative.

Eligibility

You don’t have to be an active LION member, but you must be a Canadian news entrepreneur to participate in a peer group. This is the first time we’re opening up peer groups to non-members, and we’re excited to welcome a range of publishers. These groups are organized around shared experiences, so please keep that in mind when signing up. We want participants to be actively engaged in the conversation, rather than just listening. For example, please don’t sign up for the group for news businesses with fewer than two full-time journalists if your news business has more staff. Also, please only add your name to one group. 

Selection

Groups are designed for a minimum of five members and a maximum of 25 members, with acceptance on a first-come, first-served basis. Group members will be notified if they are accepted by Thursday, July 31. 

Meet the 2025 LION Canadian Community Ambassadors

The three ambassadors in the 2025 cohort were selected from a competitive pool of applications from LION members across Canada. Ambassadors were assessed based on their expertise, clarity related to what they want to accomplish with their proposed peer group, and the applicability of the topic for the news entrepreneur community in Canada.  

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We encourage all Canadian-based LION members and other Canadian news entrepreneurs to apply to join these groups by Friday, July 25, at 5 p.m. PT.

If you have any questions about the peer groups and LION’s 2025 Community Ambassador program in Canada, please email LION Community Manager Natalie Van Hoozer at natalievanhoozer@lionpublishers.com.