About INSP

The INSP network has been built on the back of the incredible success of street papers throughout the world. Streetpapers operate mainly as small, non-profit-making businesses, which give homeless and socially excluded people the opportunity to earn a living through their own efforts.

Street papers have a philosophy of 'a hand up, not a handout', where homeless people buy the magazine and keep between 50-60 per cent of the cover price. The core philosophy of INSP is that all post-investment profits generated by the papers should be used to provide social support for homeless people.

The INSP is a unique global organisation which links developed and developing countries that strongly believe in exchanging know-how. Partnerships and links are formed across the board, both regionally and internationally. Many of the members link through specific projects, which encourage better-developed social businesses to support new initiatives through consultancy, training and exchanging experiences.

The key to all these projects is self-help and empowerment. INSP members believe that by earning an income homeless and socially marginalised people are taking their future into their own hands. It is more than charity: all of these organisations are social businesses, which have been set up by social entrepreneurs.

Each street paper adapts to country specific situations to tackle poverty at a local level. All street papers are supported locally by businesses, local government and institutions and, most importantly, by local people.

All street papers, which are members of INSP, must adhere to the street paper charter.

For more information on INSP, visit the web site at http://www.street-papers.com

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