(Telecompaper) Google has committed to giving EUR 150 million to European news publishers over the next three years as part of a wider project designed to help news providers earn money from their own online coverage. The company's Digital News Initiative has been backed by eight European publications the Financial Times, the Guardian, El Pais, NRC Media, Les Echos, La Stampa, Faz and Die Ziet with other partners invited to join. Google said the initiative would explore ways to "increase revenue, traffic and audience engagement." In addition to the EUR 150 million innovation fund, the company will also contribute digital resources to newsrooms as well as "dedicated staff" to provide digital skills training to journalists in London, Hamburg and Paris.