Grants talk:Project/Rapid/WCUGA/QR-pedia at Korça museum

Hello Nafie shehu thank you for your grant request. We're glad to see that you have already worked with the Museum of Korca and you're developing a long term relationship. In order to move ahead with this proposal we have a few follow-up questions:

1. Even though you have worked with the museum before you state that you have not yet reached an agreement or signed an MOU regarding the QR-pedia at Korca museum. Given that, that hasn't happened yet it makes it hard to fund this proposal that will essentially not happen if the agreement doesn't come through. Would you be able to get the agreement signed before putting forth this proposal?
2. You state in your impact section that the main impact will come from the usage of the QR codes by visitors. If that's the case then I would recommend extending your grant's end date so that you include a few months and be able to report on the impact you see there. Does that sound agreeable to you?
3. How long do you anticipate the implementation of the QR-pedia assets would take?
4. Can you please clarify the need for a finance officer or the fee for project management? For grants that are smaller these roles are filled by volunteers in the community.
5. Can you also clarify what the legal costs are for drafting an MOU? In general, MOUs tend to be a non-binding agreements between different entities and don't have legal implications.
6. Lastly, Can you clarify the need for a photographer for professional documentation? Often volunteers also fill this role.

Looking forward to your responses regarding this project. Best regards, WJifar (WMF) (talk) 23:24, 21 November 2018 (UTC)

Hello WJifar (WMF),

We decided to extend the date of the activity so we can be able to organize an event with more impact than just the usage of the QR codes as you recommended to us.

For the other questions that you have made we have a similar response as per Wiki-Filmat SQ grant, anyway in the time where we will decide to proceed with organizing this activity we will come with a proposal based on the experience of latest wiki event that we will have.

Thank you for your help,

Best, --NafiShehu (talk) 00:42, 10 December 2018 (UTC)

Budget adjustment

Hello Nafie shehu, thank you for providing this explanation and also on your other grant. I have read your explanation on professional photography but do not agree it's necessary for 25 person editathon. Could you remove this line item from your budget and adjust your overall budget. Then I can go ahead with approval of your request. Best regards, WJifar (WMF) (talk) 10:19, 10 December 2018 (UTC)

Hello WJifar (WMF),

I have removed the professional photography costs from both grants, as you recommended to us, and also updated the costs.

Thank you for your time,

Warm regards,

--NafiShehu (talk) 22:15, 16 December 2018 (UTC)

Additional comments from WMF

Hello Nafie shehu, it's my understanding that when you're partnering with a museum to set up QR codes the museum also shares in the cost of the making of the QR codes since they will be installed there permanently. Is the museum supporting you financially in the production of the QR codes? Best regards, WJifar (WMF) (talk) 20:42, 3 January 2019 (UTC)

Hi WJifar (WMF),

The Archaeological Museum of Korça is the only and largest topological (archeological) museum in Southeast Albania. It displays archaeological facilities and exhibits for its visitors free of charge and without a ticket. Consequently all income that the museum receives to offer its services are provided by the central and local government, private donations and investments. But unfortunately, donations and investments by individuals, companies and private institutions are very rare in almost all the museums of Albania. Hence the majority of museums in Albania are nonprofits institutions, where museums are largely supported by the national government. This way of funding for the Archaeological Museum of Korça is defined in Albanian Law on "Cultural Heritage and Museums" (Law No 27/2018). Article 195 of this law defines ways of obtaining income in public museums, item 1 of this article states: "Public museums are funded by public funds and any other funds to carry out their functions." Consequently, the museum can not receive funding from the government for the other activity, except those related to its maintenance (e.g. money for paying bills, taxes, internet etc.). Therefore, the fund set by the Culture Ministry to support the Archaeological Museum of Korça is small, as it cover a large number of such institutions.

Secondly, funds from the Ministry of Culture can be obtained from the museum only if they are related to major issues, e.g. such as the restoration of the museum building, or valuable archaeological artifacts. But, and in these cases a long and extremely complicated procedure should be followed, in cooperation and with the help of specialists of various fields (e.g. cultural heritage, economy, jurisprudence etc.). Even these actions, must first be approved by the National Council of Museums, this is set in Albanian law on "Cultural Heritage and Museums. Article 197, item 3, letter C of this law states: "NCM must advise the ministry and local governments with opinions about parts of the state budget and local government budget draft shave to do with the financing of museums, as well as with other issues related to the functioning of museums".

That is why, the Archaeological Museum of Korça can not get funds from government to fund this project. Because we (our User Group and Archaeological Museum of Korça) have to follow a long legal procedure, which can last for years (in some cases) and for small amounts of money. This would cost the museum a lot of time and money to pay for a legal and financial consultant to prepare these documents in accordance with Albanian law. In addition, if we ask the central government about this, we estimate that our request will not be approved due to the relatively small account and budget. Having said this, we might start this process or research for alternative ways of funding, but we will definitely loose momentum, since we have already aproached the institution for the project (and they have agreed), which we estimate to influence the Museum and not proceed further. In this context, if you think we should work on finding alternative resources of funding please let us know.

Augesti (talk) 17:20, 9 January 2019 (UTC)

Approval

Hello Nafie shehu and Augesti, thank you for all the explanation you've provided in moving this project forward. I am approving your grant request. Best regards, WJifar (WMF) (talk) 23:57, 9 January 2019 (UTC)