Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Wikimedians of Arusha Annual Program 2023-24/Final Report
Report Status: Under review
Due date: 30 July 2024
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: Open Knowledge Tanzania
- Title of Proposal: Wikimedians of Arusha Annual Program 2023-24
- Amount awarded: 55074.8 USD, 116437209.54 TZS
- Amount spent: 129649855 TZS
Part 1 Understanding your work
[edit]1. Briefly describe how your proposed activities and strategies were implemented.
In 2023-24, our approach to expanding the Wikimedians of Arusha community was both deliberate and deeply rooted in our commitment to meaningful engagement. We chose to focus on consolidating and deepening our existing activities rather than expanding them, ensuring we could foster stronger connections within our community. Our initiatives included a range of events and projects aimed at enhancing content coverage, growing community involvement, and addressing key issues like the gender gap. We kicked off the year with the Swahili Month project in July, aimed at enriching content in our native language, followed by a series of vibrant events like WikiVibrance for International Youth Day and the Months of African Cinema. These activities were designed not only to create and share knowledge but also to celebrate our diverse cultures and histories. In terms of community growth, we organized our Annual Community Meeting in December, which served as a crucial platform for discussing our progress, challenges, and future goals. To enhance our skills and capabilities, we initiated a "Training the Trainers" program, equipping 20 participants to mentor new volunteers and spread our mission across Northern Tanzania. Addressing the gender gap remained a priority. Our Women in Wiki Training and Write for African Women projects were instrumental in fostering female participation and leadership within the Wikimedia movement, ensuring diverse voices were represented. On the strategic front, we identified and engaged with potential partners like Builders of Future Africa, building collaborations that aligned with our vision and expanding our network through joint projects and shared resources. Finally, our efforts to raise awareness and promote inclusiveness were reflected in the development of educational resources, mentorship opportunities, and targeted outreach activities. By focusing on underrepresented communities and empowering our members to take on leadership roles, we aimed to create a more inclusive and dynamic environment. Monitoring our progress through various metrics allowed us to continuously refine our strategies and enhance our impact, ensuring that every initiative we undertook contributed to our overarching goal of community growth and knowledge dissemination.
2. Were there any strategies or approaches that you felt were effective in achieving your goals?
Yes, several strategies proved particularly effective in achieving our goals. First and foremost, our approach of collaborating with other organizations really paid off. By partnering with local organizations, we were able to tap into a wealth of underrepresented knowledge and resources that enriched our content and broadened our reach. These collaborations not only provided access to valuable information but also helped us raise awareness about our initiatives within these communities. Hosting a variety of events, such as edit-a-thons, training workshops, and outreach activities, was also highly effective. These events not only attracted new contributors but also fostered a strong sense of community and engagement among existing members. They served as platforms for hands-on learning and interaction, making the process of contributing to Wikimedia projects more accessible and enjoyable. One of the standout strategies that proved remarkably effective in achieving our goals was the introduction of our community hub. This space has become a revolutionary asset for our community, providing members with a dedicated, accessible environment where they can learn, collaborate, and contribute to Wikimedia projects at their own pace. The hub has not only facilitated a steady flow of activity and learning but also fostered a stronger sense of community. By offering a physical space for regular engagement, we’ve seen a noticeable increase in both participation and enthusiasm among our members. This approach has allowed us to provide consistent training, support, and resources, significantly enhancing our ability to expand content coverage and address the gender gap. Additionally, our focus on providing training and development opportunities proved crucial. By offering educational resources, tutorials, and mentorship, we empowered community members to build their skills and confidence. This approach helped to cultivate a more knowledgeable and capable group of Wikimedians who could then support and mentor others, creating a positive feedback loop within our community. Monitoring and measuring progress was another key strategy. By keeping track of metrics such as new contributors, content creation, and community engagement, we were able to identify what was working and where we needed to adjust our approach. This data-driven approach ensured that we stayed aligned with our goals and made informed decisions to enhance our efforts. Overall, these strategies not only addressed various aspects of our objectives but also created a vibrant, inclusive, and engaged community. The combination of collaboration, active engagement through events, targeted training, and continuous progress monitoring allowed us to make meaningful strides toward our goals and foster a thriving Wikimedia community in Arusha.
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?
Yes, we have had innovations. One of the most exciting innovations in our recent efforts has been the creation of our community hub, which has truly transformed how we engage with and support our members. This hub isn't just a physical space but a vibrant center for collaboration, learning, and growth. It brings together our various activities and initiatives under one roof, making it easier for community members to access resources, attend events, and connect with each other.
Additionally, our new WikiRoots project is a standout innovation. By launching Wiki Clubs in secondary schools, we're not only introducing young students to the world of Wikimedia but also fostering a new generation of contributors. What sets WikiRoots apart is its dual focus: while the clubs are educating and empowering students about Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects, we're also integrating a tree-planting initiative. This unique combination helps instill environmental stewardship alongside digital literacy, creating a more holistic impact on the students and their communities. This approach is a novel way to blend educational and environmental goals, making it a truly innovative endeavor in our field.
4. Please describe how different communities participated and/or were informed about your work.
We engaged local communities through a variety of channels. One notable example is our collaboration with TBC Arusha Radio, where we held an informative session. This opportunity allowed us to reach a broader audience, sharing updates and insights about our projects directly with the local community. The radio session was instrumental in spreading awareness, inviting feedback, and fostering a deeper connection with listeners who may not have been reached through other means. Our community hub played a pivotal role in this effort, serving as a central point where people could learn about our initiatives, attend workshops, and get involved in different projects. We hosted regular events and open days, which invited locals to see firsthand what we were working on and how they could contribute. In addition to the hub, our WikiRoots project reached out to secondary schools, where we established Wiki Clubs. This allowed us to directly engage with students, educators, and school administrators, providing them with the resources and support they needed to participate. Tree-planting activities were integrated into school events, which helped raise awareness and involvement within the broader school community, including parents and local environmental groups. We also actively sought partnerships with local organizations. By collaborating with these institutions, we tapped into their networks, reaching out to their communities and spreading the word about our activities. This helped us not only to broaden our reach but also to foster a sense of shared mission and mutual support. Furthermore, our social media kept our broader audience informed and engaged. These platforms allowed us to share updates, success stories, and upcoming events, ensuring that our work remained visible and accessible to everyone interested in joining or supporting our initiatives.
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.
- N/A
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 | Strongly agree |
| D. Develop content from underrepresented perspectives | Strongly agree |
| E. Encourage the retention of editors | Strongly agree |
| F. Encourage the retention of organizers | 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?
N/A
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?
For expanding content coverage, we discovered that content gaps in Swahili Wikimedia projects were not just about quantity but also quality and relevance. We learned the importance of closely collaborating with local experts and institutions to identify and fill these gaps effectively. For growing and engaging the community, we found that a deep dive into the demographics and motivations of our members revealed both opportunities and barriers. We realized that tailored recruitment strategies and engaging, meaningful events were key to fostering sustained participation. In strengthening capacities, we recognized that our community members had diverse needs for training and development, underscoring the importance of a flexible and responsive approach to mentorship and support. Addressing the gender gap, we learned that understanding the specific barriers faced by women and underrepresented groups was crucial in designing effective empowerment strategies. Our approach to building strategic partnerships highlighted the need for clear, mutual goals and ongoing communication to maintain successful collaborations. Lastly, in raising awareness and promoting inclusiveness, we found that effective outreach required not just communicating the value of open knowledge but also actively engaging with diverse communities to understand and address their unique needs and perspectives.
9. Did anything unexpected or surprising happen when implementing your activities?
Yes, there were a few unexpected and surprising developments during the implementation of our activities. One of the most notable surprises was the enthusiastic reception of our WikiRoots project, particularly the integration of tree planting with establishing wiki clubs in secondary schools. We anticipated that the educational component would be well-received, but the strong community support for the environmental aspect exceeded our expectations.
Additionally, our collaboration with local radio stations like TBC-Arusha yielded unexpectedly positive results. The radio sessions not only broadened our reach but also sparked an increase in community engagement and interest in our activities. This media exposure created a ripple effect, encouraging more people to participate in our events and initiatives.
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?
These experiences have provided us with valuable insights that are shaping our future priorities and plans. We now see a greater opportunity to leverage local media and community-driven initiatives more extensively. Our success with WikiRoots has inspired us to expand this model, exploring new schools and possibly integrating additional environmental or educational elements into the program. The unexpected high engagement also underscores the need for a more robust framework to support and sustain these enthusiastic responses, leading us to prioritize the development of ongoing community support structures and follow-up activities.
Going forward, we aim to refine our strategies based on these learnings, focusing on enhancing community outreach, building stronger partnerships, and expanding the scope of our successful projects. We are also considering new ideas that combine educational and environmental goals, inspired by the positive feedback and engagement we’ve received. These adjustments and new priorities will help us build on our successes and address emerging needs more effectively.
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)?
One of the most inspiring highlights was seeing the Community Hub evolve from a mere idea into a vibrant space that truly connected and energized our community. It was amazing to witness how this hub became a focal point for collaboration and creativity, and people came together with a shared passion for expanding knowledge.
But the standout moment was the launch of WikiRoots. We had envisioned it as a project that combined education with environmental stewardship, but the enthusiasm and engagement we received far exceeded our expectations. The sight of students eagerly participating in Wiki Clubs, learning about Wikipedia, and planting trees in their schools was incredibly heartening. It felt like we were planting seeds for a more informed and environmentally conscious generation.
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.
- N/A
Part 3: Metrics
[edit]13a. Open and additional metrics data
| Open Metrics | Description | Target | Results | Comments | Methodology |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of participants | Number of participants
Participants from Nothern regions of Tanzania will benefit from our activities. We target about 400 participants throughout the year and more than 50% will be new participants |
400 | 1100 | Participants for WikiRoots Project in 5 secondary schools - 500
Participants in our events - 600 |
Outreach dashboard
Activity reports |
| Number of editors | Editors from Nothern regions of Tanzania will participate in our activities.
We target about 200 editors throughout the year. |
200 | 572 | N/A | Outreach Dashboard |
| Number of organizers | We target about 25 organizers throughout the year. | 25 | 25 | N/A | Activity reports |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 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 | Editors from Nothern regions of Tanzania will participate in our activities.
We target about 150 editors throughout the year. |
150 | 160 | We reacehd the target | Outreach Dashboard
Activity reports |
| Number of organizers that continue to participate/retained after activities | Editors from Nothern regions of Tanzania will participate in our activities.
We target about 200 editors throughout the year. |
25 | 25 | N/A | Activity reports |
| Number of strategic partnerships that contribute to longer term growth, diversity and sustainability | N/A | 5 | 9 | Builders of Future Africa, KSM, Meru District Council, Dunia Salama Foundation, 5 secondary schools | Activity Reports |
| Feedback from participants on effective strategies for attracting and retaining contributors | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Diversity of participants brought in by grantees | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Number of people reached through social media publications | N/A | 600 | 1000 | N/A | Social media dashbboard |
| Number of activities developed | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Number of volunteer hours | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
13b. Additional core metrics data.
| Core metrics | Description | Target | Results | Comments | Methodology |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of participants | Editors from Nothern regions of Tanzania will participate in our activities.
We target about 400 participants throughout the year. |
400 | 1100 | Outreach Dashboard
Activity Reports | |
| Number of editors | 200 | 572 | Outreach Dashboard | ||
| Number of organizers | We target about 25 organizers throughout the year. | 25 | 25 | Activity Reports |
| Wikimedia Project | Description | Target | Results | Comments | Methodology |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wikipedia | Wikipedia articles created or improved throughout the year | 1500 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Wikidata | Wikidata items created or improved throughout the year | 2000 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Wikimedia Commons | N/A | 500 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Wiktionary | N/A | 200 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Wikiquote | N/A | 100 | N/A | 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.
- N/A
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 has grown over the last year, the capacity is high |
| M. On-wiki technical skills | This has grown over the last year, the capacity is high |
| 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 capacity has grown but it should be further developed |
| 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.), Formal training provided from outside the Wikimedia Movement, Peer to peer learning with other community members in conferences/events, Peer to peer learning with other community members in community/ies of practice* (structured and continuous learning and sharing spaces), Peer to peer learning with other community members (but that is not continuous or structured), Using capacity building/training resources onlinee from sources OUTSIDE the Wikimedia Movement, Using capacity building/training resources online from sources WITHIN the Wikimedia Movement
17b. Which of the following factors hindered your ability to build capacities? Please pick a MAXIMUM of the three most relevant factors.
Lack of volunteer time to participate in capacity building/training, Barriers to access training because of language
18. Is there anything else you would like to share about how your organizational capacity has grown, and areas where you require support?
Over the course of this fund, our organizational capacity has expanded in several key areas. For instance, our ability to manage and execute complex projects has strengthened, as evidenced by the successful launch of our Community Hub and WikiRoots. These initiatives have not only enhanced our operational skills but also demonstrated our capability to bring innovative ideas to life and engage a broader audience.
Our community outreach and engagement strategies have also evolved. We’ve become more adept at building partnerships, leveraging local resources, and fostering meaningful connections with diverse groups. This has been crucial in expanding our reach and impact, particularly in our efforts to address content gaps and promote inclusiveness.
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) | 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, Staff hired through the fund, Volunteers from our communities, Partners proactive interest
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, Local policies or other legal factors
20. Please share your learning about strategies to build partnerships with other institutions and groups and any other learning about working with partners?
Building partnerships with institutions and groups has been an enlightening journey filled with valuable lessons. One of the key takeaways has been the importance of aligning our goals with those of potential partners. We’ve learned that meaningful collaboration thrives when there’s a shared vision and mutual benefit.
Another important lesson was the value of clear, open communication from the outset. Ensuring that all parties understand their roles, expectations, and the impact of their contributions has been crucial in fostering trust and ensuring the success of joint initiatives. We discovered each partnership brings its own dynamics and challenges, and being willing to adjust our strategies and approach has allowed us to navigate these complexities effectively.
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?
For our organization, feeling a sense of belonging to the Wikimedia or free knowledge movement means being deeply integrated into a vibrant and collaborative global network where our contributions and experiences are valued and impactful. It’s about more than just participating in activities; it’s about being part of a shared mission to democratize knowledge and empower communities. This sense of belonging would validate our efforts and inspire continued dedication, knowing that we are not alone in our journey. It would also foster stronger connections with like-minded individuals and groups who share our passion for open knowledge, enhancing our collective ability to drive positive change.
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.
Key reasons for this change include active participation, collaboration and networking, a sense of purpose, recognition and support, learning and growth, a sense of community, advocacy, and impact, and global reach. We actively participated in Wikimedia projects, campaigns, and initiatives, experiencing collective knowledge-sharing and the impact it has on making information accessible to all. A sense of purpose and fulfillment was gained by contributing to the Wikimedia movement's mission of promoting free knowledge and bridging knowledge gaps. Learning and growth were also evident, with capacity development initiatives, training programs, and knowledge-sharing opportunities expanding expertise and making us more integrated with the wider movement.
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 a transformative journey for our organization's sense of belonging to the Wikimedia and free knowledge movement. We have evolved from being enthusiastic participants to becoming deeply committed advocates and contributors. Our experiences have instilled a profound sense of pride and purpose, driving us to continue playing an active and meaningful role in the movement's mission to make knowledge accessible to all.
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.
The Wikimedia and free knowledge movement remains the central motivation for contributing to Wikimedia projects, there are indeed other movements and causes that play a role in inspiring our work. Some of these movements include Open Access and Open Education, Gender Equality and Women Empowerment, Cultural Heritage Preservation, Digital, Rights and Internet Freedom, and Environmental Sustainability.
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 actively shared our results and learning tied to this particular fund with Wikimedia affiliates and community members. We organized a dedicated session during our Annual Community Meeting in December 2023, where we presented detailed reports and highlighted key achievements, challenges, and insights gained throughout the year. Additionally, we used our regular social media platforms to disseminate updates and key findings to a broader audience within the community. We also held a special session on TBC-Arusha Radio, which allowed us to reach and inform a wider audience about our progress and the impact of our initiatives.
We have a dedicated Meta page for sharing our activity reports, which provides a comprehensive and accessible resource for anyone interested in our work. Additionally, through the Wiki Student Summit 2024, we shared some of our learnings, facilitating a broader exchange of ideas and experiences with the student community.
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?
This exchange happens through various channels, including regular community meetings where we present updates on our activities, progress, and learnings. We also engage in discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions on dedicated online platforms, such as Meta-wiki and social media channels. Our participation in events like the conferences has provided valuable opportunities for mutual learning, allowing us to share our insights and gather new ideas from fellow grantees. We have organized collaborative workshops and training sessions with the other affiliates, serving as opportunities to share best practices, discuss challenges, and learn from each other's experiences. Our media partnerships have allowed us to share our achievements and the impact of our projects with a broader audience
Part 6: Financial reporting and compliance
[edit]30. Please state the total amount spent in your local currency.
129649855
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.
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.