African Wiki Women/Leadership and Fellowship Program Charter

The Africa Wiki Women Leadership and Mentorship Fellowship (LMF) is a six-month leadership development program dedicated to empowering African women within the Wikimedia Movement. The Fellowship provides participants with mentorship, hands-on experience, and opportunities to develop practical leadership and communication skills while contributing to impactful Wikimedia projects.

Through this program, fellows will work closely with Africa Wiki Women (AWW) departments, gaining experience in communications, partnerships, administration, and creative project coordination. The Fellowship is designed to cultivate a new generation of African women leaders who will drive gender equity, innovation, and sustained participation within the Wikimedia ecosystem.

**African Wiki Women Leadership and Mentorship Fellowship (LMF) Program**
Vision	To empower African women in the Wikimedia community through mentorship that builds skills, strengthens leadership, and boosts their confidence to lead and create impact within their communities.
Mission	To bridge the gender gap in leadership within the Wikimedia community by offering a structured program that equips African women with the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to assume leadership positions and drive impactful initiatives.
Objectives	Develop Leadership Skills: Equip fellows with practical leadership and project management experience within AWW departments. Provide Mentorship: Offer personalized guidance and coaching to strengthen fellows’ confidence and performance. Enhance Visibility: Increase recognition of African women’s contributions within the Wikimedia community. Enhance Real-World Experience: Provide hands-on roles that mirror professional work environments. Promote Sustainability: Build a network of women leaders who continue to support and mentor others after the program.
Program Structure	Leadership Fellowship Duration: 6 months Eligibility: Female Wikimedians in Africa with active involvement or interest in Wikimedia projects.

Departments and Fellows’ Responsibilities

Each fellow will be assigned to one or more departments within the Africa Wiki Women organization. They will actively support departmental goals, collaborate on assigned projects, and participate in mentorship and leadership sessions.

1. Communication Department

Goal: Strengthen internal and external communication, grow AWW’s visibility, and engage the community.

Fellows’ Responsibilities: Fellows are to work with their head of department to;

Create and manage a Google Group or mailing list for all AWW members.
Send quarterly newsletters summarizing AWW activities and sharing relevant opportunities.
Publish 26 “Happy New Week” posts (one each Monday) to sustain community engagement.
Design and share special day posters monthly, highlighting how members can contribute content about those observances on Wikimedia projects.
Grow AWW’s social media audience by at least 10 new followers monthly across all platforms.
Respond to comments or questions received via AWW social media monthly.
Coordinate with other departments to publish at least 1 blog post per month about ongoing programs.
Track and archive all blogs published monthly.
Share announcements, greetings, and updates across social media and community WhatsApp groups.
Develop an AWW Brand Guide to standardize organizational identity.
Ensure consistent visibility and engagement across all communication channels.

2. Podcast & Skill Up (Special Communications Team)

Goal: Enhance storytelling, skills exchange, and community connection through multimedia content.

Fellows’ Responsibilities:Fellows are to work with their head of department to;

Identify potential female guests from the global south.
Produce 1 podcast episode every two months (3 episodes in 6 months).
Publish 1 blog post per episode to connect podcast topics with Wikimedia communities.
Collect at least 10 feedback entries via the program’s Meta commentary page per episode.
Achieve new monthly listeners and new subscribers per episode on Spotify.
Organise and coordinate monthly skill up workshops.

3. Partnerships, Grants, and Campaigns Department

Goal: Strengthen collaborations, secure resources, and design impactful campaigns that highlight African women’s contributions.

Fellows’ Responsibilities: Fellows are to work with their head of department to;

Support renewal of existing partnerships and identify new strategic partners.
Assist in planning and implementing the EditHer Campaign.
Coordinate 6 Wiki Skill-Up Trainings, prioritizing underrepresented Wikimedia projects (Wiktionary, Wikiquote, Wikisource), with follow-up contests achieving at least 30 new edits per activity.
Assist with the #NominateHer Campaign, sharing one inspiring story of a notable African woman every month.

4. Administrative Department

Goal: Ensure effective coordination, documentation, and evaluation of AWW activities.

Fellows’ Responsibilities: Fellows are to work with their head of department to;

Update the AWW Meta page weekly (adding new links, blogs, photos, and program information).
Coordinate and communicate with all fellows to ensure accountability.
Plan and host Midpoint Community Meetings in June and December.
Receive guidance to develop program evaluation reports for AWW activities and projects.

Evaluation and Impact Assessment

Progress Reports: Fellows submit monthly activity and learning reports.
Performance Reviews: Mentors and coordinators provide feedback based on assigned tasks.

Sustainability and Alumni Engagement

Establish a network of past fellows to provide continued mentorship.
Strengthen partnerships with Wikimedia affiliates and external donors.
Continuously update program goals and activities to reflect emerging community needs.

Code of Conduct

Respect and Inclusivity: Treat all members with dignity, professionalism, and openness.
Ethical Standards: Uphold Wikimedia policies and principles.
Confidentiality: Maintain discretion in all mentorship discussions and data handling.
Adhere to the Universal Code of Conduct.

What the Fellowship Is Not

To maintain focus and professionalism, it is important to clarify what this fellowship is not:

It is not a paid employment or full-time job; it is a volunteer-based professional development opportunity.
It is not a passive membership; fellows are expected to take initiative, meet deadlines, and deliver measurable results.
It is not limited to content editing; fellows will gain broader skills in leadership, communication, administration, and partnership building.
It is not an individual project grant; fellows work collaboratively within AWW departments, not independently.
It is not a one-time engagement; fellows are expected to continue contributing to AWW and the Wikimedia movement even after completion.

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