Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/University Students Wikimedians 2022/2023/Final Report
Report Status: Accepted
Due date: 31 July 2023
Funding program: Wikimedia Community Fund
Report type: Final
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General information
[edit]This form is for organizations, groups, or individuals receiving Wikimedia Community Funds or Wikimedia Alliances Funds to report on their final results.
- Name of Organization: N/A
- Title of Proposal: University Students Wikimedians 2022/2023
- Amount awarded: 31421.43 USD, 30000 TZS
- Amount spent: 72516582 TZS
Part 1 Understanding your work
[edit]1. Briefly describe how your proposed activities and strategies were implemented.
We successfully implemented our main strategy, which involved establishing, monitoring, and mentoring Wikimedia clubs in various educational institutions. This strategy proved effective, requiring minimal changes throughout its implementation. Here's a breakdown of how we achieved this:
(a) Identifying Participating Institutions: We identified universities and colleges interested in promoting Wikipedia education and outreach by reaching out to professors, librarians, and staff members willing to support the initiative.
(b) Recruiting and Training Mentors: Key to the success of each club was the identification and training of experienced Wikipedia editors who served as mentors. These mentors played a crucial role in guiding students on Wikipedia editing, community engagement, and addressing any challenges that arose.
(c) Club Formation: Once the institution and mentor were selected, we focused on forming the club. By actively promoting the club to students, we garnered interest and participation.
(d) Organizing Events and Campaigns: To attract students' attention and encourage club membership, we organized engaging activities such as edit-a-thons and Wikipedia writing competitions.
(e) Regular Mentoring and Collaboration: Established clubs held regular meetings, providing students with opportunities for collaborative learning and working together on editing projects. The presence of mentors during these sessions offered valuable guidance.
The train-the-trainer program played a pivotal role in recruiting qualified editors who became mentors in the various Wikimedia clubs. This program was instrumental in ensuring the availability of skilled and dedicated mentors to support the growth and sustainability of the clubs.
Overall, through this strategy and the train-the-trainer program, we successfully cultivated a network of enthusiastic Wikimedia clubs, fostering active participation and knowledge-sharing among students and contributors alike.
2. Were there any strategies or approaches that you felt were effective in achieving your goals?
One of the most effective strategies for our project has been the inclusion of mentors in the Wikimedia clubs. Their commitment and guidance have proven invaluable, even during times when official gatherings were not possible. Through their support, students and participants have continued to make significant contributions and progress.
Additionally, the establishment of Wiki Clubs has been instrumental in introducing Wikimedia projects to a broader audience of students and teachers. By creating a dedicated space for collaboration and learning, these clubs have sparked interest and engagement, enabling more individuals to actively participate in Wikimedia initiatives.
The combination of mentorship within the clubs and the creation of Wiki Clubs has been a powerful driving force behind the success and growth of our project. The ongoing dedication of mentors and the increased outreach to students and teachers have resulted in a vibrant and thriving Wikimedia community.
3. Would you say that your project had any innovations? Are there things that you did very differently than you have seen them done by others?
Our project has indeed introduced several innovations and unique approaches that distinguish it from other similar initiatives. We have strived to implement novel strategies to foster community engagement, knowledge sharing, and active participation in Wikimedia projects. Here are some key innovations that set our project apart:
1. Sustained Mentorship: We prioritized continuous and regular mentorship for club members, even outside official gatherings. This sustained support ensured that participants received ongoing guidance, enhancing their skills and confidence as active contributors to Wikimedia projects.
2. Customized Outreach: Rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach, we tailored our outreach efforts to the unique characteristics and interests of each institution and its students. This personalized approach resulted in higher engagement and a sense of ownership among participants.
3. Online Meet-ups and Collaboration: We embraced online platforms and virtual meet-ups for discussions, workshops, and collaboration. This approach allowed us to overcome geographical barriers, reaching participants from different regions simultaneously. By leveraging technology, we facilitated real-time interactions, making it easier for individuals to actively engage in discussions and contribute to the Wikimedia projects.
Our project has successfully introduced various innovations, ranging from mentorship programs and virtual collaboration to targeted outreach and creative contribution methods. By combining these innovative elements, we have cultivated a thriving and dynamic Wikimedia community that continues to make meaningful contributions to the Wikimedia Movement.
4. Please describe how different communities participated and/or were informed about your work.
Our project has established strong collaborative partnerships with key Wikimedia communities, including Wikimedia Community Arusha, Jenga Wikipedia ya Kiswahili, and Wikimedia Community User Group Tanzania. These interactions have been integral to our success and have contributed to the uniqueness of our approach.
One of the distinct features of our project is our active engagement through various channels. We maintain a robust presence on social media platforms and diff, where we regularly share updates and highlight the diverse activities conducted by our communities. This proactive approach helps us foster transparency and keeps our followers well-informed about our progress and contributions.
A significant aspect that sets us apart is our close collaboration with Jenga Wikipedia ya Kiswahili members, who bring valuable expertise as administrators. Their guidance and advice have been instrumental in ensuring the production of high-quality content on Swahili Wikipedia. This collaboration not only enhances the quality of our contributions but also strengthens the bonds between our communities.
Moreover, our project places great emphasis on reciprocity and mutual support. We have not only hosted members from Wikimedia Community Arusha and Wikimedia Community User Group Tanzania as facilitators during our events but also actively participated in their activities as a community. This reciprocal engagement promotes knowledge exchange, fosters a sense of camaraderie, and contributes to a vibrant and dynamic Wikimedia ecosystem.
Our project's uniqueness lies in the strong collaborative relationships we have built with other Wikimedia communities, our active and transparent communication through various channels, and the reciprocal support and participation in each other's activities. These aspects have enriched our community's experience, strengthened the impact of our initiatives, and underscored the power of collaboration within the Wikimedia Movement.
5. Documentation of your impact. Please use the two spaces below to share files and links that help tell your story and impact. This can be documentation that shows your results through testimonies, videos, sound files, images (photos and infographics, etc.) social media posts, dashboards, etc.
- Upload Documents and Files
- Here is an additional field to type in URLs.
- (a) Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/unistuwikimedians/
(b) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unistuwikimedians/?hl=en
(c) Diff posts: https://diff.wikimedia.org/?s=magotech
6. To what extent do you agree with the following statements regarding the work carried out with the support of this Fund? You can choose “not applicable” if your work does not relate to these goals.
| A. Bring in participants from underrepresented groups | Strongly agree |
| B. Create a more inclusive and connected culture in our community | Strongly agree |
| C. Develop content about underrepresented topics/groups | Agree |
| D. Develop content from underrepresented perspectives | Agree |
| E. Encourage the retention of editors | Strongly agree |
| F. Encourage the retention of organizers | Strongly agree |
| G. Increased participants' feelings of belonging and connection to the movement. | Strongly agree |
7. Is there anything else you would like to share about how your efforts helped to bring in participants and/or build out content, particularly for underrepresented groups?
Our project's success in bringing in participants and building out content for underrepresented groups can be attributed to our intentional efforts in promoting inclusivity, offering tailored support, fostering mentorship, and collaborating with local organizations. By amplifying diverse voices and encouraging participation from all walks of life, we have made significant strides in creating a more inclusive and representative Wikimedia community.
Part 2: Your main learning
[edit]8. In your application, you outlined your learning priorities. What did you learn about these areas during this period?
Changing Teachers' Perception of Wikipedia: Through interactions with teachers and educators, we discovered that the strongest arguments to change their perception of Wikipedia revolved around the platform's reliability, open-access nature, and vast repository of information.
Retaining Teachers in the Wikimedia Community: To retain teachers in the Wikimedia community, we found that ongoing support and mentorship were crucial.
Techniques to Encourage Student Participation: Techniques such as assigning Wikipedia editing tasks, organizing edit-a-thons, and encouraging students to contribute multimedia content resonated well with the students.
Meeting Teachers' Expectations: Overall, the program met or exceeded the expectations of the teachers who participated. They appreciated the support, resources, and mentorship provided, which helped them gain knowledge.
Willingness to Use Wikipedia in Classrooms: A significant number of teachers expressed willingness to continue using Wikipedia in their classrooms beyond the program period.
Strengthening Partnerships: During this period, we successfully managed and strengthened existing partnerships with Wikimedia Community Arusha, Jenga Wikipedia ya Kiswahili, and Wikimedia Community User Group Tanzania.
Student Interests and Activities: Activities like photo walks, and multimedia content creation resonated well with students, as they allowed for creative expression and tangible contributions.
9. Did anything unexpected or surprising happen when implementing your activities?
Yes, several unexpected and surprising events occurred during the implementation of our activities. Here are some notable instances:
1. Increased Interest from Teachers: One unexpected outcome was the overwhelming interest shown by teachers in using Wikipedia as an educational tool.
2. Rapid Growth of Wikimedia Clubs: The establishment of Wikimedia clubs in higher learning institutions surpassed our initial projections.
3. Student-Led Initiatives: We were surprised by the emergence of student-led initiatives within the Wikimedia clubs.
4. Unexpected Collaborations: While we had planned to collaborate with specific Wikimedia communities, we were pleasantly surprised by unexpected partnerships (like from Igbo, Fulfulde, and Nigeria User Group) that emerged during the project.
Embracing these unexpected moments allowed us to adapt and further enhance the effectiveness and reach of our project.
10. How do you hope to use this learning? For instance, do you have any new priorities, ideas for activities, or goals for the future?
The learning and insights gained from the implementation of our activities will serve as valuable resources to shape our future priorities, activities, and goals. Here's how we hope to utilize this learning: 1. Refining Outreach Strategies: Based on our learning about effective strategies for changing teachers' perceptions of Wikipedia and encouraging student participation, we aim to refine our outreach efforts. 2. Enhancing Mentorship and Support: Our experience with successful mentorship programs and sustaining teacher engagement will guide us in further enhancing our support system. 3. Fostering Diversity and Inclusion: Our learning about the positive response from underrepresented groups has reinforced the importance of fostering diversity and inclusion. 4. Strengthening Partnerships: The unexpected collaborations we experienced have shown us the potential for forging new partnerships. 5. Exploring New Activities: The success of student-led initiatives and the creative contributions during edit-a-thons have inspired us to explore new activities and formats. 6. Sustainability and Long-Term Impact: We have learned the importance of sustainability and long-term planning in maintaining the momentum of our project. 7. Measuring Impact and Evaluating Progress: We will continue to assess and measure the impact of our activities to evaluate our progress and identify areas for improvement.
11. If you were sitting with a friend to tell them one thing about your work during this fund, what would it be (think of inspiring or fascinating moments, tough challenges, interesting anecdotes, or anything that feels important to you)?
The most inspiring and fascinating aspect of this project was the transformation we witnessed – from changing perceptions to building a vibrant community of contributors. Overcoming challenges, celebrating cultural exchange, and making a positive impact on individuals' lives made this journey incredibly fulfilling and meaningful. The experiences shared and the connections formed have reaffirmed my passion for community-building initiatives and the power of open knowledge for positive change.
12. Please share resources that would be useful to share with other Wikimedia organizations so that they can learn from, adapt or build upon your work. For instance, guides, training material, presentations, work processes, or any other material the team has created to document and transfer knowledge about your work and can be useful for others. Please share any specific resources that you are creating, adapting/contextualizing in ways that are unique to your context (i.e. training material).
- Upload Documents and Files
- Here is an additional field to type in URLs.
- - https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1IafjHIRoic-BNGcChcVo0sgS9y_Qh9YJKPMKwG1L4QM/edit?usp=sharing
- https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1q87maHZ3Ofbzho8TIcGDWGoGb5bdEeng4_QNirmU94Q/edit?usp=sharing
Part 3: Metrics
[edit]13a. Open and additional metrics data
| Open Metrics | Description | Target | Results | Comments | Methodology |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joined Teachers | We will focus on seeing how many teachers were ready to join the Wikimedia Movement after training has been provided. | 30 | 21 | N/A | In-person events conducted during the awareness creation of Wikimedia projects on teachers |
| Retained teachers | How many teachers will be retained and what strategy worked best | 30 | 21 | N/A | In-person events |
| Wikipedia usage in class room | How many teachers are willing to use Wikipedia in the classroom? | 25 | 21 | N/A | In-person events |
| Partnerships | How many new partnerships will we be able to make? | 10 | 8 | N/A | in-person meetings |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Additional Metrics | Description | Target | Results | Comments | Methodology |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of editors that continue to participate/retained after activities | N/A | 550 | 538 | N/A | Outreach Dashboard and in-person meetups |
| Number of organizers that continue to participate/retained after activities | N/A | 20 | 19 | N/A | in-person events |
| Number of strategic partnerships that contribute to longer term growth, diversity and sustainability | N/A | 10 | 8 | N/A | in-person meetups |
| Feedback from participants on effective strategies for attracting and retaining contributors | N/A | 500 | 713 | N/A | Google forms |
| Diversity of participants brought in by grantees | N/A | 350 | 420 | N/A | N/A |
| Number of people reached through social media publications | N/A | 100000 | 230541 | through boosting posts we were able to reach a wider audience | meta Business suite |
| Number of activities developed | N/A | 81 | 86 | 13 in-person and 28 online | This was achieved through different activities including:
Edit-a-thons workshops competitions seminars |
| Number of volunteer hours | N/A | 2000 | 2850 | N/A | N/A |
13b. Additional core metrics data.
| Core metrics | Description | Target | Results | Comments | Methodology |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of participants | Includes all people attending the events even if they do not decide becoming contributors or editors. | 800 | 950 | We had a high number of participants than anticipated before, this is due to high engagement and collaboration with some of the Colleges' and Universities' departments. | in-person attendance |
| Number of editors | This includes all members who will be ready to join Wikimedia's movement and become editors | 600 | 545 | outreach dashboard | |
| Number of organizers | This includes the COT, Volunteers (club leaders), and facilitators | 20 | 25 | Due to high demand and many activities the number of organizers was increased so as to meet the needs. Many were volunteers. | google forms & in-person attendances |
| Wikimedia Project | Description | Target | Results | Comments | Methodology |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wikipedia | Includes English Wikipedia and Swahili Wikipedia | 2500 | 15221 | 13110 edited
2111 created |
Outreach Dashboard |
| Wikimedia Commons | N/A | 350 | 512 | N/A | Outreach Dashboard |
| Wikiquote | N/A | 1500 | 2000 | N/A | Outreach Dashboard |
| Wikidata | N/A | 500 | 1023 | N/A | Outreach Dashboard |
| Incubator | N/A | 300 | 731 | N/A | N/A |
14. Were there any metrics in your proposal that you could not collect or that you had to change?
No
15. If you have any difficulties collecting data to measure your results, please describe and add any recommendations on how to address them in the future.
N/A
16. Use this space to link or upload any additional documents that would be useful to understand your data collection (e.g., dashboards, surveys you have carried out, communications material, training material, etc).
- Upload Documents and Files
- Here is an additional field to type in URLs.
- Outreachdashboard: https://outreachdashboard.wmflabs.org/campaigns/university_students_wikimedians/overview
Part 4: Organizational capacities & partnerships
[edit]17. Organizational Capacity
| A. Financial capacity and management | This has grown over the last year, the capacity is high |
| B. Conflict management or transformation | This has grown over the last year, the capacity is high |
| C. Leadership (i.e growing in potential leaders, leadership that fit organizational needs and values) | This has grown over the last year, the capacity is high |
| D. Partnership building | This capacity has grown but it should be further developed |
| E. Strategic planning | This capacity has grown but it should be further developed |
| F. Program design, implementation, and management | This has grown over the last year, the capacity is high |
| G. Scoping and testing new approaches, innovation | This has grown over the last year, the capacity is high |
| H. Recruiting new contributors (volunteer) | This has grown over the last year, the capacity is high |
| I. Support and growth path for different types of contributors (volunteers) | This has grown over the last year, the capacity is high |
| J. Governance | This has grown over the last year, the capacity is high |
| K. Communications, marketing, and social media | This has grown over the last year, the capacity is high |
| L. Staffing - hiring, monitoring, supporting in the areas needed for program implementation and sustainability | This capacity has grown but it should be further developed |
| M. On-wiki technical skills | This capacity is low, and we should prioritise developing it |
| N. Accessing and using data | This capacity has grown but it should be further developed |
| O. Evaluating and learning from our work | This has grown over the last year, the capacity is high |
| P. Communicating and sharing what we learn with our peers and other stakeholders | This has grown over the last year, the capacity is high |
| N/A | |
| N/A |
17a. Which of the following factors most helped you to build capacities? Please pick a MAXIMUM of the three most relevant factors.
Formal training provided by the Wikimedia Foundation, Formal training provided by a Wikimedia Movement organizing group (i.e., Affiliates, Grantees, Regional or Thematic Hub, etc.), Peer to peer learning with other community members in conferences/events
17b. Which of the following factors hindered your ability to build capacities? Please pick a MAXIMUM of the three most relevant factors.
Lack of financial resources
18. Is there anything else you would like to share about how your organizational capacity has grown, and areas where you require support?
As the community is still growing and advancing, we still require technical skills for the Wikimedia projects.
19. Partnerships over the funding period.
| A. We built strategic partnerships with other institutions or groups that will help us grow in the medium term (3 year time frame) | Strongly agree |
| B. The partnerships we built with other institutions or groups helped to bring in more contributors from underrepresented groups | Strongly agree |
| C. The partnerships we built with other institutions or groups helped to build out more content on underrepresented topics/groups | Strongly agree |
19a. Which of the following factors most helped you to build partnerships? Please pick a MAXIMUM of the three most relevant factors.
Permanent staff outreach, Board members’ outreach, Volunteers from our communities
19b. Which of the following factors hindered your ability to build partnerships? Please pick a MAXIMUM of the three most relevant factors.
Lack of interest from partners, Limited funding period
20. Please share your learning about strategies to build partnerships with other institutions and groups and any other learning about working with partners?
W've gained valuable insights into strategies for building partnerships with other institutions and groups, as well as other essential learnings about working with partners. Here are the key takeaways: 1. Identifying Shared Goals. 2. Personalized Outreach. 3. Demonstrating Value. 4. Leveraging Existing Networks. 5. Active Communication. 6. Flexibility and Adaptability. 7. Collaborative Decision-Making. 8. Shared Resources and Responsibilities. 9. Monitoring and Evaluation. 10. Celebrating Successes.
Part 5: Sense of belonging and collaboration
[edit]21. What would it mean for your organization to feel a sense of belonging to the Wikimedia or free knowledge movement?
Feeling a sense of belonging to the Wikimedia or free knowledge movement would signify a strong connection with the movement's mission and values. It would lead to active participation, collaboration, and contributions to Wikimedia projects, as well as a commitment to openness, transparency, and global impact.
Belonging would empower the organization to advocate for open knowledge beyond Wikimedia, fostering continuous learning and championing diverse voices. Ultimately, this sense of belonging would enrich the organization's commitment to knowledge sharing and open access, driving its impact on the broader free knowledge landscape.
22. How has your (for individual grantees) or your group/organization’s (for organizational grantees) sense of belonging to the Wikimedia or free knowledge movement changed over the fund period?
Increased significantly
23. If you would like to, please share why it has changed in this way.
Over the fund period, our group's sense of belonging to the Wikimedia movement has deepened significantly. Through active participation, collaborative efforts, and impactful contributions to Wikimedia projects, we have developed a strong connection with the movement's mission and values. The support and recognition received from the Wikimedia community have fostered a sense of empowerment and encouragement to continue advocating for open knowledge. As we witnessed the tangible impact of our initiatives on education, research, and global knowledge access, our commitment to the Wikimedia movement has grown, and we now feel a genuine and integral part of this transformative global community.
24. How has your group/organization’s sense of personal investment in the Wikimedia or free knowledge movement changed over the fund period?
Increased significantly
25. If you would like to, please share why it has changed in this way.
The fund period has been transformative for our group's sense of personal investment in the Wikimedia or free knowledge movement. The meaningful impact of our contributions, recognition from the community, collaboration with like-minded individuals, a sense of empowerment, and commitment to the long-term vision have all played a crucial role in deepening our dedication and investment in the movement's principles and values.
26. Are there other movements besides the Wikimedia or free knowledge movement that play a central role in your motivation to contribute to Wikimedia projects? (for example, Black Lives Matter, Feminist movement, Climate Justice, or other activism spaces) If so, please describe it below.
Our motivation to contribute to Wikimedia projects is complemented and enriched by our awareness and engagement with various other movements and activism spaces. The shared goals of promoting social justice, equality, environmental sustainability, universal education, and open knowledge resonate with our commitment to contributing to a more inclusive and informed global knowledge landscape through the Wikimedia movement.
Supporting Peer Learning and Collaboration
[edit]We are interested in better supporting peer learning and collaboration in the movement.
27. Have you shared these results with Wikimedia affiliates or community members?
Yes
27a. Please describe how you have already shared them. Would you like to do more sharing, and if so how?
We have taken several steps to share our results and experiences with Wikimedia affiliates and community members. Here are some ways we have done this: 1. Community Forums and Events. 2. Project Reports. 3. Online Platforms. 4. Knowledge Sharing Sessions. 5. Publications and Articles. 6. Feedback and Surveys. 7. Partnerships and Alliances.
28. How often do you currently share what you have learned with other Wikimedia Foundation grantees, and learn from them?
We do this regularly (at least once a month)
29. How does your organization currently share mutual learning with other grantees?
We organized monthly calls where organizers we meet to share on our learning and activities.
Part 6: Financial reporting and compliance
[edit]30. Please state the total amount spent in your local currency.
72516582
31. Local currency type
TZS
32. Please report the funds received and spending in the currency of your fund.
- Upload Documents, Templates, and Files.
- Report funds received and spent, if template not used.
- https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1qFFjLT3LJUTIm4RTvSzZJsPjtzsRbX3FKbtur6oysD8/edit?usp=sharing
33. If you have not already done so in your budget report, please provide information on changes in the budget in relation to your original proposal.
N/A
34. Do you have any unspent funds from the Fund?
34a. Please list the amount and currency you did not use and explain why.
N/A
34b. What are you planning to do with the underspent funds?
N/A
34c. Please provide details of hope to spend these funds.
N/A
35. Are you in compliance with the terms outlined in the fund agreement?
As required in the fund agreement, please report any deviations from your fund proposal here. Note that, among other things, any changes must be consistent with our WMF mission, must be for charitable purposes as defined in the grant agreement, and must otherwise comply with the grant agreement.
36. Are you in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations as outlined in the grant agreement?
Yes
37. Are you in compliance with provisions of the United States Internal Revenue Code (“Code”), and with relevant tax laws and regulations restricting the use of the Funds as outlined in the grant agreement? In summary, this is to confirm that the funds were used in alignment with the WMF mission and for charitable/nonprofit/educational purposes.
Yes
38. If you have additional recommendations or reflections that don’t fit into the above sections, please write them here.
we are immensely grateful for the Wikimedia Foundation's support, which has been instrumental in driving our progress and impact. As a community, we remain committed to contributing to the Wikimedia movement's mission and vision, and we are eager to continue collaborating with the Foundation and the broader community to create a more open, diverse, and accessible knowledge landscape for all. Thank you for this remarkable opportunity to make a difference in the world of free knowledge.