Wikimedia Community User Group South Sudan/Strategic Plan

Strategic Plan 2025 – Wikimedia Community User Group South Sudan

1. Introduction

The Wikimedia Community User Group South Sudan aims to advance the Wikimedia movement in South Sudan by increasing access to free knowledge, fostering community engagement, and preserving local culture. In 2025, we will focus on;

Capacity building
Content creation
Digital inclusion, and
Strategic partnerships to ensure sustainability and long-term impact.

In today's digital era, Wikipedia serves as a vital platform for free and accessible knowledge, reaching billions of users worldwide. As Wikimedia Community User Group South Sudan, we are dedicated to enhancing the representation and accuracy of South Sudanese content on Wikipedia. We believe in the power of collaborative knowledge-sharing and strive to ensure that Wikipedia reflects South Sudan’s rich history, diverse cultures, and significant developments. Our mission is to actively contribute to making Wikipedia a reliable and comprehensive resource for South Sudanese and the global community.

2. Key Focus Areas & Programs

A. Capacity Building & Skill Development

Objective: Strengthen the skills of local contributors and expand Wikimedia participation across South Sudan.

Programs:

Wikimedia South Sudan Learning Lab: Weekly virtual and in-person training on Wikipedia, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons, and MediaWiki.
Train-the-Trainers Program: Develop local trainers who can lead Wikimedia workshops in different regions.
University & School Outreach: Establish and support Wikimedia clubs at universities and high schools to engage students.
Annual South Sudan Wikimedia Conference: Organize a national event for contributors, partners, and stakeholders.

B. Expanding Wikimedia Content & Local Knowledge

Objective: Increase locally relevant knowledge on Wikimedia platforms.

Programs:

Oral History Project 2025: Expand efforts to document South Sudanese oral traditions, languages, and historical narratives.
Wiki Loves Campaigns: Organize Wiki Loves Africa, Wiki Loves Folklore, Wiki Loves Earth, and Wiki Loves Monuments to encourage photography and storytelling about South Sudan.
Wikipedia in Local Languages: Improve Juba Arabic, Dinka, Bari, and Nuer Wikipedia content and support the creation of new Wikipedia editions.
Audio & Video Documentation: Record interviews, podcasts, and audio dramas highlighting South Sudanese heritage.

C. Digital Inclusion & Access to Knowledge

Objective: Ensure Wikimedia resources are accessible in regions with limited internet connectivity.

Programs:

Mobile Library & Offline Wikimedia Access: Distribute Kiwix devices and preloaded Wikipedia content in schools and community centers.
Wikipedia for Schools Initiative: Train educators and integrate Wikimedia content into school curricula.
Refugee Knowledge & Community Documentation: Work with refugees to document their history, challenges, and contributions to South Sudanese culture.

D. Partnerships & Advocacy

Objective: Strengthen Wikimedia’s presence in South Sudan through institutional and community collaboration.

Programs:

Collaboration with Universities & Cultural Institutions: Partner with academia, museums, and media houses to expand Wikimedia’s impact.
Digital Rights & Open Knowledge Advocacy: Work with the National Archives of South Sudan, Likikiri collective and the Rift Valley research institute to promote freedom of information, digital rights, and access to knowledge.
Engagement with the Wikimedia Foundation & Global Wikimedia Community: Actively participate in Wikimania 2025 in Kenya, global Wikimedia campaigns, and regional collaborations.

E. Community & Volunteer Engagement

Objective: Retain and motivate contributors to ensure long-term sustainability.

Programs:

Mentorship & Recognition Programs: Establish contributor awards and mentorship initiatives for new editors.
Local Wikimedia Meetups: Organize regular in-person and virtual meetups for networking and collaboration.
Social Media & Awareness Campaigns: Increase Wikimedia visibility in South Sudan through social media engagement and content creation.

3. Implementation & Funding Plan

Implementation Approach

Appoint project leads for each key initiative.
Leverage partnerships for resource sharing and capacity building.
Conduct quarterly reviews to track progress and impact.

Funding Strategy

Annual General Support Grant (Wikimedia Foundation): Apply for an annual grant to sustain core activities.
Local & Regional Grants: Seek additional funding from education and cultural institutions.
In-Kind Support: Engage partners to provide venues, internet access, and technical support for events.

4. Expected Impact

Increased participation of South Sudanese editors in Wikimedia projects.
Expanded and improved content about South Sudan on Wikipedia, Wikidata, and Wikimedia Commons.
Greater access to free knowledge in underserved communities.
Stronger partnerships with educational and cultural institutions.

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Framework

Purpose

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) will play a crucial role in the Wikimedia Community User Group South Sudan (WCUGSS), generating valuable data to track progress, enhance accountability, and support informed decision-making throughout the 2025 strategic period. This framework will help us:

Assess the effectiveness of our programs and their impact on our strategic objectives.
Identify areas for improvement and refine strategies accordingly.
Ensure transparency and accountability to our stakeholders.
Support resource allocation, advocacy efforts, and knowledge sharing for continuous learning.

To achieve this, a structured Monitoring and Evaluation Framework will be developed to systematically track the implementation of our strategic plan. The key components of this framework are outlined below and will be further refined into a comprehensive M&E plan.

Key Components of the M&E Plan

1. Indicators

We will define specific, measurable indicators aligned with each strategic objective outlined in our strategic plan. These metrics will allow us to evaluate our progress and impact effectively.

2. Data Collection Methods

To ensure comprehensive and accurate tracking, we will employ multiple data collection approaches, including:

Regular Reports – Activity logs, financial reports, and project updates.
Surveys & Feedback Forms – Engaging members, partners, and stakeholders for input.
Website & Project Analytics – Tracking engagement, contributions, and impact.
Direct Observation – Assessing project execution and community engagement.
Volunteer Contributions – Monitoring volunteer hours and participation.

3. Frequency of Data Collection & Evaluation

Ongoing data collection by the M&E Officer.
Quarterly Progress Reports submitted to the Board.
Annual In-depth Evaluations to assess overall impact and inform future strategies.

4. Roles & Responsibilities

A collaborative approach will be adopted to ensure effective M&E implementation:

M&E Officer – Leads data collection, analysis, and reporting.
Community Manager – Works with project leads to gather relevant data.
Executive Director – Reviews reports, provides insights, and supports decision-making.
Board Members – Offer oversight, strategic direction, and ensure accountability.

5. Reporting & Dissemination

Internal Reports – Regular updates for staff, board members, and key stakeholders.
Public-Facing Summaries – Showcasing achievements and impact for the community.
Donor-Specific Reports – Tailored reports to meet funding and partnership requirements.