Grants talk:APG/Proposals/2016-2017 round 2/Wikimedia Armenia/Progress report form

Report's review

Thank you for this report. I confirm that it has been recieved on time and reviewed on 19 March 2018 in a meeting between WMAM and WMF. Here is a summary of that review.

On the report's form

The detailed tables under each program are are very informative and present all metrics and targets and results for each activity. These are interesting but there needs to be more critical analysis of what works and waht doesn't, how an activity illustrates a program or doesn't. It would be interesting for WMAM to focus on lessons learned and how these inform their next steps and the development of their programs and adaptation of activities.

On the results

The total table with total results needs to be adapted to the new grant metrics and filled so we can measure progress against the proposal. While progress can be followed thanks to the detailled metrics for each program, we lose the overview effect by not having a report on the metrics and targets established through the proposal. Please review this table to match with the one presented in the proposal. Accept our apologies that the progress report template included outdated information to work with. [note] This was changed and updated with this edit. Delphine (WMF) (talk) 06:28, 11 May 2018 (UTC)

On the content

Overview and organizational changes

it seems Wikimedia Armenia is in the process of finalizing its full professionalization and stabilization. Espcially the accounting system and human resource management was an important step towards sustainability and better governance practices.

Education

• Two remarks to illustrate a point made above about the lack of analysis in this report:
  • For example why did WMAM actually send letters of appreciation to schools? I suppose there was a rationale behind it and it would be great to understand it. This to illustrate that a progress report can give a better idea of the "motion" and thinking behind actions.
  • The fact that creating educational resources on wiki has been put on hold seems to be a major learning point for WMAM and it would have been great to see the arguments teachers bourhgt to come to that conclusion, and how WMAM is planning to go forward in this activity.
• Teachers' week is a great event that shows how WMAM is building sustainibility in its education program by making sure that teachers educate aach other.

Wikicamps

Great developments towards a more integrated approach for educational purposes, which has not only content production but also cultural implications for the participants. It would be interesting to see how WMAM is slowly developing this activity to include new learning outcomes.

Wikiclubs

One interesting achievement is the change in the sponsorship model from an ad-hoc payment to a regular payment (monthly or annually) which is a good step towards greater sustainability. Also to note the ongoing relationship with AGBU which has been a steady and strong partner of WMAM for a long time.

Meaningful participation

• Create a vital article is a very interesting campaign that appeals to a lot of new ideas and will be an interesting challenge in implementation in the longer term. The involvement of subject metter experts and their retention / sustained contirbutions will be interesting to follow in the months to come, as well as analysis of their contributions.
• WMAM seems to have a well integrated approach to Wiki Loves Monuments, and pairs the event with a compreshensive set of activities such as workshops and trainings to maximize quality of content and impact.

Western Armenian

Wikicamp still brings in interesting results. Wikiweek with journalists and teachers or educators is a unique approach to tackling the network around Western Armenian, aiming to bring together people with an interest in the language around a wiki experience and training, while securing their interest to support the dissemination of the language and WMAM's initiatives.

Diversification of funding sources

WMAM has (by now) secured the grant applied for with AGBU which shows how strong partnerships can help sustainability.

Advocacy and teaching people about free licences

great achievement to convince a living author to publish hsi work under a free licence (see Toros Toranyan)

Digitization

an active community of 82 editors on Armenian Wikisource is simply amazing.

On financials

• Question about the 9000 US in the donation: where do they come from? (answer in the live review: donations and paying participants to the wikicamps)
• At mid-point, WMAM has only used 29% of their year's grant, it is paramount to provide clearer explanations about what looks like a major underspending. (answer in the live review: changes in needs for HR and the fact that wikiCamps haven't happened yet, more will be added)

Best, Delphine (WMF) (talk) 15:14, 19 March 2018 (UTC)

Spending in program 5 (Western Armenian wiki language)

In the six-months spending one of the biggest programs (5. Establish Western Armenian as distinct wiki language) is very low, compared to the annual budget. Why? From the narrative part, activities seems to be progressing fine. Since the related expenses were missing from the budget, it's difficult to understand the link between activities and expenses; I would expect the WikiCamp to be one of the most expensive parts, but it already took place. - Laurentius (talk) 08:05, 28 March 2018 (UTC)

Dear Laurentius, you are right, the Wiki Camp is an expensive activity. The thing is that Gulbenkian Foundation directly took care of organizational expenses of the Wiki Camp in France, thus Wikimedia Armenia didn't receive any amount for this activity.--Gayane (WMAM) (talk) 12:20, 16 May 2018 (UTC)

Wikicamp and new editors

A question on sustainability of the model. Did the 5 paying customers become regularly active users? --Nemo 09:38, 1 April 2018 (UTC)

Nemo, some of these participants attend our Saturday Workshops, but they are not regular active users. Analyzing the way we accept paid participants and their further involvement in the movement, WMAM decided to host an orientation session and editing workshop for parents and kids before the camp to ensure they understand the content and aim of the WikiCamp.--Gayane (WMAM) (talk) 12:40, 16 May 2018 (UTC)