Biggest Challenges

Growing the number of subscribers stands as one of the primary challenges facing Dublin Inquirer. Lois Kapila notes that subscription figures have remained stagnant since 2023, hindering sustainable growth for the publication. To address this, they are considering expanding beyond Dublin to broaden their potential audience. However, without an increase in subscribers, sustainable growth is difficult to achieve. Despite regularly securing smaller grants, these are typically allocated for new projects rather than core funding, which Kapila emphasises would be crucial for the organisation's stability.

On the other hand, attempting to grow presents its own set of challenges. Kapila highlights the immense workload already faced by the small team, compounded by comparatively low salaries of €30,000 per year for the entire team, including the founders. Juggling various projects with a limited team is a significant challenge, with Kapila and her husband heavily involved in administrative tasks, fundraising, and community engagement. This diverse array of responsibilities adds to the workload, making it challenging to maintain the necessary focus on journalistic endeavours.

Kapila also identifies another barrier: the perception of Dublin Inquirer as a social enterprise, which complicates competition with strictly for-profit entities. This distinction presents challenges in attracting subscribers and securing funding, as the organisation operates with different priorities and objectives compared to traditional for-profit ventures.