INSP Awards 2026: shortlist and winners

On 3 September, at the close of this year’s INSP Summit in Glasgow, Scotland, delegates gathered in the theatre of the Social Hub hotel for the INSP Awards 2026.

The ceremony recognised street papers’ accomplishments across six categories: Best Article/Journalism, Best Cover, Best Campaign, Best Photo, Best Vendor Article or Contribution, and Best Vendor Support Project.

This year’s awards were judged by Angus Dixon, Head of Department of Creative Industries at Glasgow Caledonian University, who hosted the Summit; Colin Leslie, Head of External Relations at Scottish Veterans Residences; Jem Collins, Founder and Director at Journo Resources; and Dr Owen Clayton, Senior Lecturer in English Literature at the University of Lincoln.

Best Article/Journalism: The Contributor and Curbside Chronicle

The Best Article category focusses on storytelling, research and journalistic integrity, narrative depth, structure, language and tone.

The shortlist featured ‘A Forewarned Disaster’ by =Oslo, on the rise of illegal drug use in Ukraine; ‘Goldenstein Is Here to Stay!’ by Augustin, about three nuns who fled a care home to live in an abandoned convent; ‘Remembering Old Tent City’ by The Contributor, about the final days of a 40-year-long encampment in Nashville, Tennessee; and ‘Eating Matters’ by Curbside Chronicle, an investigation into vendors’ experience of food insecurity.

The award was given jointly to The Contributor and Curbside Chronicle.

“Being an INSP award judge was an honour and hugely humbling. There is so much talent in the global street paper community! I loved viewing all the different submissions. The only thing I didn’t enjoy was picking a winner, because it feels unfair to all the other amazing entrants!” said Owen Clayton.

Best Cover: Liceulice and StreetWise

The Best Cover category focusses on visual impact at the point of sale, headline integration, typography, readability and emotional pull.

The shortlist featured Liceulice, Faktum, Asfalt, Mi Valedor, Hus Forbi and StreetWise.

The award was given jointly to Liceulice, for a covering featuring an army of Pikachus attacking a giant cyborg, a symbol of youth resistance, and to StreetWise, for a cover featuring African American Olympic athletes for Black History Month.

Best Campaign: =Oslo

The Best Campaign category focuses on strategic clarity, creative concept, community engagement, audience activation and evidence of impact.

The shortlist featured ‘A Place to Be’ by =Oslo, a play produced by =Oslo and Nordic Black Theatre for =Oslo’s 20th anniversary; ‘The ReHecho Project’ by Mi Valedor, a collaboration with Puerto Rican artist Daniela Fabrizi; ‘Home Is Where Your Heart Is’ by Street Sheet, a project organising San Franciscans living in vehicles; Hus Forbi’s campaign to secure digital payments for vendors; Surprise’s women’s Streetfootball Euro 2025 tournament in Basel; and Asfalt’s work on combatting misconceptions about vendors.

The award went to =Oslo.

“It’s been a real pleasure to take part in INSP judging this year (and I’m not just saying that). In a journalism industry that’s under immense pressure, it’s been incredibly heartening to see such a range and depth of impactful reporting and campaigns that make a real difference to real people’s lives. This is a very special network,” said Jem Collins.

Best Photo: Hus Forbi and Mi Valedor

The Best Photo category focusses on composition, light, visual storytelling, emotional impact and the dignity of the people represented.

The shortlist featured Faktum, Mi Valedor, =Oslo and Hus Forbi.

The award was given jointly to Hus Forbi, for a photo of Britta, one of the paper’s longest-serving vendors, and Mi Valedor, for a photo of elderly corn farmer Juana Segundo from a piece on food sovereignty.

“It was an honour and a privilege to be join this year’s judging panel. The creativity, diversity and humanity among the entries was thought-provoking, inspiring and – as the title says – international! So many entries were of the highest calibre that it made judging a tough task, so the highest kudos to those who have been recognised with awards. All entrants should be immensely proud of the work they do and the communities they represent,” said Colin Leslie.

Best Vendor Article or Contribution: The Contributor

The Best Vendor Article or Contribution category focusses on authentic vendor voice, lived experience, personal perspective, dignity, agency and empowerment.

The shortlist featured ‘The Paperdoll Rebellion – A Hidden Story’ by LS Abell at The Contributor, about making zines while experiencing homelessness; ‘Last Station Shelter’ by Marija Krajnalic at Liceulice, about a devastating experience inside Belgrade’s Shelter for Adults and Elderly People; ‘What Nationality Are You? I’m A D-D-Drug Addict!’ by a vendor at Kralji ulice on their experience of addiction; and ‘Would we die this early if we were in any other group?’ by Wendell William at Street Sense Media on the early deaths of vendors and other people experiencing homelessness in DC.

The award went to The Contributor.

“The awards just show how great street papers are all over the world – the standard and variety of the work has been exceptional. From artful humorous collage to hard-hitting social commentary and moving first person testimony, it’s all there. It’s just a shame we can’t reward everyone,” said Angus Dixon.

Best Vendor Support Project: Apropos

The Best Vendor Support Project category focusses on practical value for vendors, accessibility, innovation, sustainability and tangible positive outcomes.

The shortlist featured Apropos for their cookbook, Apropos: Favourite Recipes!; Kralji ulice for their vendor support services; Groundcover News for their journalism mentoring programme; Faktum for their work on improving dental care through partnerships; and bodo for their comic workshops for vendors, led by Ika Sperling.

The award went to Apropos.

INSP would like to thank each and every entrant for making the time and effort to enter into this year’s Awards, and to congratulate you for showcasing the incredible work of the street paper movement. You made the decisions for the judges very difficult!