Google is considering significant changes to its controversial Google News service to aid publishers that have been struggling to make money in the online world, according to one of the company’s senior executives in Europe.

The comments, made in an interview with the Financial Times by Carlo D’Asaro Biondo, head of strategic partnerships in Europe, came as Google and eight* European newspaper groups announced an alliance aimed at bolstering the digital skills and business model of publishers.

Known as the Digital News Initiative, it will include joint work on product development, assistance with digital training for newsrooms and €150m in grants to back digital projects over the next three years. The Financial Times is among the companies to join the initiative, along with the Guardian, Les Echos in France, El País in Spain and Die Zeit in Germany.