INSP launched as a network in 1994 and NASNA (the North American Street Newspaper Association) launched in 1996. The two networks worked collaboratively until 2013, when INSP became the single global network for street papers on all six continents.

INSP was incorporated as a Scottish charity – The INSP Foundation – in Glasgow in 2005. From that point, INSP began to grow as an organisation, supporting an expanding network and developing its projects and services to street papers.

The past 20 years have seen social shifts and economic changes that pose challenges to their members but also mean that the need for their work – supporting some of the poorest people in their towns and cities – has never been more necessary.

In recent years, the global recession and related political and economic changes have had a significant impact on urban poverty and homelessness. Issues such as economic migration, unemployment and housing shortages have meant that the poverty and homelessness demographic continues to change. The stigmatisation of poverty and homelessness pose challenges to  members in terms of their sustainability, but also increases the need for their unique form of social justice editorial and campaigning work.

Their Work

INSP supports and develops over 120 street press projects in 40 countries, to create employment and training opportunities for homeless people. They support the development and sustainability of their members, and add value to their work by providing:

-Editorial support
-Start-up support
-Accreditation
-Publicity & PR
-Income generation opportunities
-Training & capacity building
-Networking opportunities
-Innovation