Grants talk:TPS/Wikitanvir/RecentChangesCamp 2012

Dear Tanvir,

The Participation Grants Committee has reviewed your request. Unfortunately, your request does meet our criteria for funding participation, for the following reasons:

1. RecentChangesCamp is organized by Wikimedia Australia. Despite some exceptions in the past, Participation Grants are not meant to fund scholarships for Wikimedia events (nor for pan-wiki events like RCC).
2. The benefit of participation in RCC is unclear and impossible to estimate, because of the unconference format. While it is granted that some unconferences have fantastic results, it is also the case that some have very little to show by way of impact beyond socializing. Given the very high cost of international participation at this particular RCC (no one’s fault), it is felt that the likelihood and level of benefit from RCC does not justify the expense of funding international attendees.
3. The budget presented does not comply with our expectation of frugality and our travel policy ($400 daily travel; $215/night hotel when significantly cheaper options exist; $174 per diem basis instead $134 per US rate)
4. The committee notes the endorsement from Wikimedia Australia (an organizer). The committee rejects the suggestion that travel cost from Bangladesh to Canberra is lower than to Berlin. The committee also notes that since Wikimedia Bangladesh is now a recognized chapter, funds will be made available to delegates from WMBD to attend the Berlin conference whether or not they attend RCC, so there would be no money saved by the proposed participation.

Please do not be discouraged by this, and do not hesitate to apply for grants in the future, as you have successfully done in the past.

(On behalf of the Participation Grants Commitee) -- Ijon 22:54, 22 December 2011 (UTC)