August marks a season of activity, creativity, and collaboration across the Wikimedia CEE region. In this issue, we bring you updates from long-running programs, new initiatives, and inspiring community stories that show how vibrant and diverse our region is.
The CEE Hub team launched the call for bids for the 2026 and 2027 CEE Meetings, opened the Steering Committee election process, and continued to support regional initiatives. Wikimedia Serbia, Wikimedia Ukraine, and the Albanian Language User Group shared impressive outcomes from the first half of the year—ranging from GLAM partnerships to youth empowerment projects.
From Thessaloniki, preparations for the 2025 CEE Meeting are gaining momentum, while the 10th edition of CEE Spring celebrated over 10,000 articles contributed by dozens of communities.
We’re also celebrating milestones: 22 years of Romanian Wikipedia, 10 years of WoALUG, and the launch of new WikiClubs in Macedonia. Cross-cultural campaigns such as Francophonie Month and World Refugee Day in Romania and Moldova highlighted how Wikimedia can be a platform for empathy and representation.
You’ll also find reports from international events like the WikiWomen* Summit at Wikimania, the EduWiki Conference in Colombia, and the Eurovision Song Contest—yes, that too!
Don’t miss the call for translators from WikiProjectMed, updates from Kırklareli, Poland-Ukraine collaboration on heritage, and a culinary celebration from Albania.
Hello from the Wikimedia CEE Hub! In June and July, we launched the bidding for the 2026 and 2027 CEE Meetings, started the Steering Committee election process, and continued doing our best to support the communities in the region. If you’d like to know what’s happening next and how you can participate, read on and stay connected (our communication channels are linked at the end of this article).
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Bidding for CEE Meetings 2026 & 2027
In June, we finalised polishing the bidding process for the CEE Meetings in 2026 and 2027, and by the end of July we received applications for both years.
The newly formed Selection Committee is now evaluating the bids to ensure the best teams and locations for these major regional conferences.
We appreciate all communities who invested time and effort in their proposals - your dedication is fantastic!
CEE Catch Up meeting
There was also another (10th already!) CEE Catch Up meeting focused on the upcoming rollout of temporary accounts on Wikimedia wikis.
The WMF Product and Technology team explained what’s changing, why it matters, and what to expect.
The full recording is available at the bottom of the project Meta page for anyone who missed the live session.
Supporting new contributors
Our team met with the Wikimedia Foundation’s Growth team to review tools that support new contributors on Wikipedia.
We’re now checking which features are active in CEE languages to help local communities make the most of them.
Their Governance working group finalised an internal governance document;
The Social Media working group had a lively Q&A with a WMF social media expert to sharpen their skills.
We’re excited to see how the group brings their ideas to life, working together on new initiatives remotely across the region - all while juggling many other Wiki and non-Wiki projects they’re already involved in! From presentations about the CEE Youth Group at local, regional, and international events, through Diff articles sharing their perspectives, to organising meetups of young Wikimedians at global conferences - their energy and dedication truly stand out. You're doing an amazing job, everyone!
Sofia Information Integrity Forum
We have been supporting the community of Wikimedians in Bulgaria in organising a Wikimedia session track at the Sofia Information Integrity Forum.
During this conference, taking place at the beginning of November, we want to focus on the trustworthiness of sources and dealing with misinformation in Wikimedia projects. across the Black Sea region.
Though still a work in progress, we are already grateful to our amazing speakers from Ukraine, Turkey, Romania, Serbia, and Bulgaria who have confirmed their participation.
We’ll keep you posted on how this develops!
Governance and planning in July
July was all about governance and future planning.
We finalised the election process for the new Steering Committee and closed applications at the end of the month.
The Selection Committee is now carefully reviewing candidates.
Thanks to everyone who applied - we"re looking forward to welcoming the new team!
Merit scholarships
Finally, we are reviewing applications for three merit scholarships to support young people, women, and session speakers joining the upcoming CEE Meeting in Thessaloniki.
The quality of applications is impressive, so we’re taking our time to select those who will benefit most.
Our shared story of impact now live on Diff!
We also wanted use this opportunity to share a recent Diff article that made us really happy. It highlights our collaboration with the Wikimedia Community User Group Cyprus and offers a glimpse into how the CEE Hub tries to support communities in practical, everyday ways. We’re still learning as we go, but this piece shows what kind of help the Hub can offer - and how we can work together to strengthen the Wiki inititatives in the region. Big thanks to Natalia for capturing this so nicely, and to Anna for adding her perspective to this story!
Stay updated
As we write this article at the end of July, many important decisions are still in progress.
We encourage everyone to stay updated by following CEE Hub news on:
Here’s what has happened in 2025 so far, and what's ahead in the global Wikimedia movement: a roundup of international events and initiatives taking place in 2025.
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June & July contests
Wiki Loves Earth ― an annual international photographic competition devoted to local nature protected areas in participating countries. The contest is held throughout May and July and organized worldwide by Wikimedia chapters, groups, and local Wikipedia volunteers.
1Lib1Ref ― short for "One Librarian, One Reference" — is a global initiative that encourages librarians and supporters of free knowledge to improve Wikipedia by adding missing citations to its articles. It runs twice a year: from January 15 to February 5, and from May 15 to June 5.
Wikipedia Pages Wanting Photos - WPWP ― an annual campaign where Wikipedia editors across the world, Wikipedia language projects and communities add photos to Wikipedia articles lacking photos. The contest lasts from July 1 to August 31.
Wiki Loves Film ― the first international edition of a movie-focused competition invented by Wikimedia Czech Republic. From July 1 to August 31 film lovers, cinema-goers, film festival attendees, and movie buffs will have the opportunity to participate in this international call and competition celebrating cinema through open knowledge.
Upcoming meetings & conferences in 2025
Wikimania 2025 – 20th Wikimedia conference hosted in Nairobi, Kenya, which will be both an in-person and virtual event on August 6–9 and celebrate Wikimania's 20th anniversary.
Wikimedia CEE Meeting 2025 – an annual conference centered on Wikimedia projects (Wikipedia and other related projects) in countries of Central and Eastern Europe. The 2025 meeting is organised by Wikimedia UG Greece and will be held in Thessaloniki, Greece, on September 26–28. Affiliation and community delegates can register for the meeting until June 15. All other self-funded participants can register until July 31.
You are warmly invited to join the first-ever hybrid WikiWomen* Summit on August 5, hosted during Wikimania Nairobi. This year’s gathering, available both online and in-person, will focus on cultivating community, encouraging care, and promoting impactful collaboration.
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WikiWomen* Summit serves as an essential forum to advance gender equality, encourage collaborative efforts, and influence the future direction of the Wikimedia movement by embracing inclusive and intersectional participation.
This year’s WikiWomen* Summit will include a range of dynamic sessions, including panel discussions, interactive workshops, WikiWomen* Lunch (Friday, 8 August, 13:00 - 14:00, Mombasa room), and open forums designed to highlight achievements, share strategies, and collectively envision the future.
We are particularly excited to welcome a greater number of young WikiWomen* to this year’s event, offering valuable opportunities to engage with experienced wikimedians and movement organizers from across the Wikimedia community.
Here's your quick gateway to what’s happening across the Wikimedia movement. Dive into fresh picks from Diff and stay in the loop on global initiatives, community tools, and movement-wide updates! ↴
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Wikimania 2025 is just around the corner!
Whether you're joining in Nairobi or from home, this blog post shares what to expect from Wikimania 2025 - including how to join online, program highlights, and safety updates.
Thanks to Natalia for putting together this lovely story on the CEE Hub’s role! We invite you to read the full post and learn more about the support that the Wikimedia CEE Hub strives to offer.
WikidataCon is back! Explore how this year’s “Connections” theme invites data enthusiasts, reusers, and community builders to shape the future of Wikidata, and submit your proposal by September 1!
This deep dive into Wikipedia’s knowledge structure sheds light on the gaps, biases, and blind spots that shape what’s visible - and what’s missing - across its many language editions.
Meet Wikimedia Europe’s new Board members and discover their vision for the future as the organization renews its strategy and strengthens collaboration across the movement.
Dive into the inspiring moments and innovative projects from Wikimedia Hackathon 2025 in Istanbul - a vibrant gathering where coders from around the world came together to build tools, share knowledge, and strengthen the Wikimedia movement.
Take part in the ongoing meetings, open calls and consultations to share your input and stay involved in current community discussions. Your perspective can help improve how we work together across the movement ↴
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[REGISTER] Join us at the next CEE Hub Office Hours:
The tenth edition of the Wikimedia CEE Spring article contest took place between 21 March and 31 May 2025, where a total amount of 10,752 articles were created or improved. According to the statistics that the International team compiled, 9,237 new articles were created, and many new participants joined the contest.
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Twenty-eight CEE communities actively participated, with a diverse set of local organisers undertaking the task of conducting the contest in their own wikis. However, the contest was also organised in 7 languages outside of the CEE region, including 6 Wikipedias (Uzbek, Persian, Tuvan, Moroccan Arabic, Standard Moroccan Tamazight and Spanish) and one Wikiquote (Italian). It shows how the contest is becoming more globally relevant, and how the international team is working to expand it beyond the CEE region — something that hadn’t happened much in previous years.
According to the statistics page, editors in Ukrainian Wikipedia created or improved 883 articles, the highest number of articles among all the participating communities. Editors in Georgian, Bosnian, Latvian, Russian, and Slovene Wikipedias also created or improved hundreds of articles. The strong participation reflects editors’ ongoing commitment, even after years of filling key content gaps in the CEE region. It also shows how local dynamics are shifting — each year, different communities contribute at different levels, often in unpredictable ways.
Thirteen editors were awarded the Hall of Fame, as they wrote articles about each participating community. The CEE Women subcontest was very successful: more than a thousand articles were written, enriching coverage about women in the CEE region. User:Sitora Oblakulova was the most prolific participant, contributing 171 articles. The Human Rights and Youth subcontests were also held, though they resulted in fewer articles, likely due to more limited content and lower interest in these topics in CEE and English.
We are looking forward to the new edition of the contest in 2026. We hope that more communities outside the CEE region will join in, helping the contest gradually become a bridge between the CEE region and the global Wikimedia community — similar to Wikipedia Asian Month. Also, in the Wikimedia CEE Meeting 2025, 5 members of the international team will lead a workshop titled 10 years of CEE Spring - Past, Present and Future to discuss what has gone well, what could be improved, and what lessons from a decade of experience can help shape the future of the contest.
Preparations for the Wikimedia CEE Meeting 2025 in full swing!
From bicycle journeys to booking victories — the CEE Meeting 2025 is taking shape in Thessaloniki, the true Crossroads of Knowledge. Curious about what’s coming? You won’t want to miss this update!
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With just a few months to go until the Wikimedia CEE Meeting 2025 in Thessaloniki, the organizing team is working full steam ahead to make this a memorable and productive event for the region's communities. The grant from the Wikimedia Foundation was approved just in time — and we didn’t lose a moment. We immediately secured the Grand Hotel Palace, a top-tier option that serves both as the conference venue and accommodation, conveniently located with easy access to the city.
Earlier this summer, Wojciech Pędzich (Steering Committee member) and Toni Ristovski (Program Officer) from the CEE Hub made a site visit to Thessaloniki together with Konstantinos Stampoulis, our local organizer. Their verdict? Everything is on track — and Wojciech has even picked out the perfect spot for our group photo! Notably, Toni made the trip from Skopje to Thessaloniki by bicycle — true cross-border commitment to the CEE spirit!
Under the leadership of Kiril Simeonovski, the program committee is putting the finishing touches on a rich and diverse program. Meanwhile, the travel team is issuing air tickets to delegates every day.
Self-funded participants are welcome to book rooms at the Grand Hotel Palace at a special rate. A detailed booking guide is available here. Alternatively, we suggest looking for accommodation on Monastiriou Street, from where it’s a direct bus ride to the venue.
This year’s event embraces the slogan "Crossroads of Knowledge", inspired by Thessaloniki’s long history as a meeting point of cultures, languages, and ideas. It reflects not only the city’s heritage but also the essence of the CEE Meeting itself — a place where communities intersect, share experiences, and build new knowledge together. We can’t wait to welcome you to Thessaloniki!
Eurovision Song Contest 2025 – one plot twist after another, and a long stretch
Participating as a media representative in an event on the scale of Eurovision Song Contest was a fun, if somewhat bumpy, experience. Here is my story.
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Louane, Maman
Last year, I had the pleasure of photoshooting the Eurovision Song Contest’s first dress rehearsals, thanks to the brilliant idea and more brilliant minds of two friends and a helping hand of the national Polish broadcaster. I was happy with the way it turned out – first rehearsal meant no audience, possibility to swing from stage left to stage right in moments to capture another angle, access to a photoshooting location almost at the edge of the stage, close enough to feel the fine hairs sizzle as pyro went off. Hey, one of the pictures is featured!
I decided to follow through with 2025 and until a certain moment everything was crystal fine…
Early April brought the first of the twists – no photo equipment at the first dress rehearsal. No news as to alternative solutions either, just a distant hint of a limited number of photographers being able to cover live events.
I still decided to follow through.
Justyna Steczkowska, Gaja
Without any assurance as to whether I will be able to take even a single frame during the event, in an inspired moment, I rented a tripod and a serious-looking 200-500mm lens (2,3 kilograms of high-quality glass!) and set off. In the meantime, I was located and found by the WikiPortraits initiative who were sending two of their volunteers to Basel and this seemed like the first promising plot twist – they had an Airbnb secured downtown, which meant I would not need to travel to my initial sleeping quarters in Mulhouse. That would be especially problematic at night, after the live shows which I was deeply hoping to photograph, as no public transport was available and taxis were reluctant to cross the border.
I turned up at the venue, collected my ID with a distinct photo icon, and entered the Media Centre, with it usual low hum of fan and professional media people at work. I got to watch the first dress rehearsal of the first-semi final from the audience (not even mobile phone photography was allowed, the organizers remained true to their expectations) and got to know that the second and third dress rehearsals could be attended by up to 40 photographers on a special platform behind the standing audience, with priority given first to the large international media houses and then to the participating countries of the given show. The same applied to the live events.
Tommy Cash, Espresso Macchiato
One dark cloud – no tripods for the sake of space restrictions. Monopods were allowed though, so the next day I hit the town with a mission. I returned triumphantly with a high-end monopod that could carry 35 kilograms of equipment on its sleek singular carbon fibre leg. The addition of two short bungee cords meant I was able to secure the camera to the railing and use my other camera for wider angle shots, leaving it hanging from my shoulder when I was doing close-ups.
And here is where the plot twists… seem to end. I was a happy soul who stood at the back of the crowd photographing the live show of the first semi-final, the second dress rehearsal and the live show of the second semi-final (I decided to take the opportunity for a rehearsal shoot since Poland did not participate in the second semi-final so I was not on the priority list) and the 166-million-TV viewer live show of the final. I was in what I call the Zone – just me, the equipment, and the show.
Melody, Esa diva
I have pictures to prove it – the f/5,6 aperture lens necessitated that each good photo is denoised and processed, but uploads are steadily coming to my Wikimedia Commons account and to my Facebook photo profile at @wojciechpedzich.foto. And I do not regret not having the edge of the stage and almost empty floor to myself – the more extreme angle made a lot of cool visuals disappear… together with the feet of the contestants.
Celebrating 10 years of the Wikimedians of Albanian Language User Group
Free knowledge connects people, preserves culture, and opens access to information for everyone. Since its foundation on July 17, 2015, the Wikimedians of Albanian Language User Group (WoALUG) has been part of this mission, working to expand Wikipedia in Albanian language and to collaborate with cultural and educational institutions.
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On July 23, 2025, we celebrated this 10-year journey at the Qemal Baholli Library in Elbasan, a consistent partner and one of the most active GLAM institutions supporting our work in Albania.
This event brought together contributors, teachers, professors, students, institutional partners, and representatives from the Swedish Embassy, a longstanding partner. It was an opportunity to reflect on the work done so far and to discuss the continued role of Wikipedia and its sister projects in education, cultural documentation, and civil society.
This meeting served as a momentum of celebration, appreciation for our collaborators and a space for advocacy. We underlined the need for more awareness and support for Wikimedia projects, especially within cultural and educational institutions. Wikipedia as a project continues to be an important platform for sharing knowledge in Albanian, documenting the culture, and social causes.
Each of the representatives from various institutions and organizations shared their perspectives and experiences on working with Wikimedians of Albanian Language User Group and highlighted how Wikimedia projects can support learning, cultural preservation, and access to information.
As we move forward, our goal is to deepen our cooperation with GLAM institutions in Albania, and to create more opportunities for people to get involved in the Wikimedia movement.
Furthermore, read more about our journey on Diff here.
Social media
We have a public channel on WhatsApp of Albanian Language if you want to join and discuss Wikimedia projects.
If you want to see more about our activities, you canː
On July 12, 2025, Romanian Wikipedia marked 22 years since its very first edit - an extraordinary milestone for one of the most active Wikipedia editions in the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) region.
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From first edit to over 500,000 articles
Since its humble beginnings in 2003, Romanian Wikipedia has grown steadily, evolving into a vibrant and diverse space for free knowledge. Today, it boasts:
More than 500,000 articles
Thousands of active contributors and editors
A strong network of sister projects
A community built on passion
At the heart of Romanian Wikipedia’s success is its committed and dynamic editing community. Volunteers from Romania, Moldova, and the global Romanian-speaking diaspora have:
Hosted contests and edit-a-thons to grow content and skills
Built partnerships with institutions, educators, and cultural centres
Championed causes like gender equity, minority representation, and linguistic diversity on Wikipedia
Marking the anniversary
On July 12, local Wikimedians celebrated this landmark with online retrospectives, social media shout-outs, and outreach to the wider Wikimedia CEE network. It was a moment of pride and reflection, recognising not only the content created, but also the relationships and impact made possible over two decades.
Why it matters regionally
Romanian Wikipedia has served as a model for newer CEE communities, offering guidance, inspiration, and collaboration. Its growth exemplifies how regional Wikimedia projects can thrive and scale while staying rooted in their linguistic and cultural identities.
What’s next?
The community looks ahead to:
Strengthening cross-border cooperation with other CEE Wikipedias
Supporting Romanian-language content in other sister projects
Engaging more youth and educators in open knowledge
As Romanian Wikipedia enters its 23rd year, its legacy is clear: a beacon of collaborative knowledge-building, not just for Romanian speakers, but for everyone who believes in the mission of Wikimedia.
Call for translators: Help us bridge the health information gap in CEE!
By: Chinthi, WikiProjectMed Coordinator
A growing volunteer community is translating medical knowledge into CEE languages, improving access to life-saving health information.
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Access to reliable medical information can be a matter of life or death, especially in regions with limited access to healthcare resources. Recognising this, the WikiProjectMed Healthcare Translation Task Force—hosted on MDWiki—is leading a global initiative to make evidence-based health content accessible in every language. By translating high-quality Wikipedia medical articles, we aim to empower communities and bridge the language gap in health education, thereby contributing to the reduction of global health disparities.
What We Do
Our project brings together volunteers from around the world, including translators from organisations such as Translators without Borders, ProZ Pro Bono, and the Open Language Initiative. Through their combined efforts, we ensure that critical health information is available in plain, understandable language for all, fostering a sense of community and shared responsibility.
Our Impact in CEE Languages
We’re proud to be making a tangible difference in Central and Eastern Europe. Thanks to our growing team of dedicated translators, the number of medical articles now available on Wikipedia in CEE languages is increasing significantly.
These are just some of the languages we’ve worked on so far:
Russian – 60 articles
Ukrainian – 58 articles
Romanian – 19 articles
Turkish – 27 articles
Albanian – 17 articles
These articles cover a wide range of topics, including essential medicine, occupational health and infectious diseases. They ensure that vital, accurate information is accessible to millions.
I chose to take part in the Wikipedia medical translations project because I genuinely want to give something useful back to the community. I’m always eager to learn and to sharpen my skills, and translating reliable medical content into Romanian feels both meaningful and impactful. I also believe that having accurate health information in one’s native language can empower people to make informed decisions about their well-being
— shared Simona, one of our Romanian volunteer translators.
Supporting New Translators
In order to expand our outreach and mentor the next generation of language professionals, we recently collaborated with the Open Language Initiative to launch the 2025 Summer Medical Translation Practicum, in which students from the MA programme 'The Theory and Practice of Translation' at the University of West in Timișoara, Romania, as well as other translators, joined our project. Experienced mentors reviewed their work, offering constructive feedback and helping students to gain confidence and develop real-world translation skills while contributing to a meaningful cause.
Looking Ahead
We're thrilled about the opportunities to expand our reach even further. Our next steps include launching focused translation campaigns in Azerbaijan and deepening our support for Turkish-language articles, thanks to our ongoing partnership with Translators without Borders.
While our current focus is on less-translated languages, our long-term vision is global. We’ve already seen growing views on our translated articles in this region, and everyone deserves access to lifesaving information.
Get Involved!
WikiProject Med is an ongoing effort, and we welcome new contributors, regardless of their location. There's no need to wait to join us — whether you're a translator, a medical expert or someone who believes in open knowledge, we'd love to have your support.
Volunteers are at the heart of what we do, and every contribution, no matter how small, is significant. Your work could help someone, somewhere to make an informed health decision, and that's important.
If you’d like to contribute by translating, you can start here. We have an introductory course on learn.wiki to help you get started. You can contact the team if you have any questions.
Your contribution is crucial in this collective effort. Let’s work together to bring high-quality medical content to every language, every region, and every person.
May and June were very active months for Wikimedia Serbia, with numerous developments and changes across program areas as well as within the staff structure. As part of the Education Program, an accredited seminar for librarians was held for the first time, collaborations with higher education institutions continued, and Wikimedia Serbia had two representatives at the EduWiki Conference in Colombia. GLAM activities included participation in global initiatives, preparation of lectures and projects, and ongoing collaboration with international partners. Within the Diversity Program, several thematic activities and edit-a-thons were organized, and the CEE Spring campaign was successfully concluded. The organization also actively contributed to global movement processes, the Content Partnership Hub, and the Let's Connect program.
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Education Program
The first accredited seminar, “Wiki Seniors in Libraries: Librarians as creators of innovative knowledge for the third age” was held in cooperation with the Belgrade City Library. The seminar was intended for library professionals interested in developing lifelong learning programs and transferring knowledge to older citizens through Wikimedia projects.
Wikimedia Serbia received a new accreditation from the Institute for the Advancement of Education for a teacher training program titled “Using Online Wiki Tools in Teaching and Learning”. This program has been accredited for the next three school years. Additionally, a new accredited seminar for librarians in Veliko Gradište has been scheduled for August.
A new internship program was organized in cooperation with the Faculty of Economics at the University of Belgrade, through which students will participate in the activities of Wikimedia Serbia’s Education Program. The long-term cooperation with the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering of Applied Studies in Belgrade also continued, where students will have the opportunity to write Wikipedia articles as part of their coursework.
Two representatives of Wikimedia Serbia participated in the Edu Camp in Jahorina, organized by the Wikimedia Community of the Republic of Srpska. This event contributed to strengthening regional collaboration and exchanging experiences in the implementation of educational activities within the Wikimedia movement.
In May, Wikimedia Serbia also had two representatives at the Youth Conference in Prague. As a result of the event, an intercultural campaign was planned, in which Wikimedia Serbia will take part. That same month, two representatives attended the global EduWiki Conference in Colombia, where they presented the results of research on the motivation of new Wikipedia editors.
Participation in the mentorship program within the Wikipedia & Education User Group also continued, with a representative of Wikimedia Serbia being a mentor.
GLAM Program
As the #1Lib1Ref campaign approached its end, Wikimedia Serbia, in collaboration with the Wikimedia Foundation, Wikimedia Argentina, and the Let’s Connect program, organized a global Learning clinic“1Lib1Ref: Tools, Strategies, and Innovations”, featuring practical insights and experiences that can be applied to the campaign. The session was intended for both active and potential organizers and participants, aiming to foster knowledge exchange and encourage innovation in implementing the campaign.
In May, an edit-a-thon focused on museums and cultural heritage was organized to mark International Museum Day. Nine editors participated in the event, creating and improving 48 articles, thereby contributing to greater visibility of cultural heritage on Wikipedia.
Wikimedia Serbia was also actively involved in the application process for establishing the Content Partnerships Hub, in collaboration with Wikimedia Sverige and other affiliates.
Additionally, in June, preparations began for a new Wikipedian in Residence project in cooperation with the “Vladislav Petković Dis” City Library in Čačak, continuing the development of partnerships with cultural institutions at the local level.
Diversity Program
In May, the annual Wikipedia editors’ conference, WikiLive 2025, was held, bringing together around 60 participants and collaborators. The program included topics such as technical updates, digital collections of cultural heritage, editing workshops, a psychological panel, and discussions on the risks associated with the use of generative artificial intelligence. The conference provided an opportunity to strengthen the community and exchange experiences among editors from different backgrounds.
As part of the Read Wikipediaproject, a thematic activity was organized to record audio versions of articles on Serbian Wikipedia. The goal of the project was to provide easier access to knowledge for blind and visually impaired individuals. A total of 17 editors participated in the project and recorded 18 articles. The initiative was well-received by the public and the media, and a second phase is planned for the end of the year.
For the first time, Wikimedia Serbia joined the global Coordinate Mecompetition on Wikidata, dedicated to adding and editing geographic coordinates. The competition was organized in cooperation with Wikimedia Austria, the CEE Hub, and other communities around the world.
In June, the first Equal Voiceedit-a-thon in Serbia was held in collaboration with Ringier Serbia and University Library "Svetozar Marković". The event focused on increasing the visibility and representation of women online and was hosted at the University Library "Svetozar Marković with the participation of Brankica Janković, the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality.
The eleventh edition of the CEE Springcontest concluded with 578 new articles and 66 improved ones, resulting in a record-breaking contribution of over 149 million bytes. The most successful editors were awarded, and the initiative was organized in cooperation with the Wikimedia Community of the Republic of Srpska.
To mark World Refugee Day, an edit-a-thon dedicated to refugees, their experiences, and the challenges they face was organized for the fourth year in a row. Seven editors participated and created 16 new articles.
At the very end of June, the Wiki Loves Sportcampaign was launched in the form of an edit-a-thon, focusing on current sports events, diversity in sports, and improving related content on Wikipedia.
The Wikimedians of Albanian Language User Group proudly took part in the CEE Spring 2025 contest, spotlighting Albania and Kosovo while contributing to a vibrant exchange of cultural knowledge across Central and Eastern Europe.
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From March 21 to May 31, the Wikimedians of Albanian Language User Group (WoALUG) participated in CEE Spring 2025.
This year, our User Group presented Albania and Kosovo with an updated list of articles inviting the wider community to translate and improve articles about our cultural heritage, history, geography, and much more.
At the same time, the Albanian-speaking community contributed to translating 75 articles from other CEE countries. These translations are not about writing and giving the community articles to read but it is about connecting to places and collaborating and sharing cultural knowledge among countries.
Social media
We have a public channel on WhatsApp of Albanian Language if you want to join and discuss Wikimedia projects.
If you want to see more about our activities, you canː
Wikimedia MKD continued promoting free knowledge and cultural heritage across Macedonia through diverse initiatives. From the “Podgorje and Ograzden Wikiexpedition” to thematic edit-a-thons, youth workshops, and partnerships with women’s organizations, the group fostered learning and community engagement. New Wiki Clubs in towns like Kumanovo and Demir Hisar introduced students to open knowledge, while campaigns like “Wiki for Human Rights 2025” expanded the reach of Wikipedia as an educational tool.
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Wikimedia MKD continued its mission of promoting free knowledge, education, and cultural heritage through a wide range of impactful activities across Macedonia. From documenting rural villages in the Strumica Valley during the “Podgorje and Ograzden Wikiexpedition,” to organizing workshops that empowered new editors and celebrated international partnerships, the organization demonstrated its ongoing commitment to community engagement and knowledge sharing. This period saw the successful implementation of thematic edit-a-thons, educational trainings, and cross-cultural events—each designed to bring Wikipedia closer to the public. Highlights included the collaboration with women’s organizations in Sveti Nikole, a youth workshop on Slovenia’s protected natural areas, an editing campaign on waste management as part of the “Wiki for Human Rights 2025” initiative, and cultural outreach activities like “Meet Peru.” Additionally, new Wiki Clubs were launched or expanded in several towns including Kumanovo and Demir Hisar, introducing students to the values of open access and responsible digital contribution. Together, these efforts not only enriched the Macedonian-language Wikipedia with hundreds of new articles but also strengthened Wikimedia MKD’s role as a vital educational and cultural bridge in the region.
Podgorje and Ograzden Wikiexpedition
A granary in the village of Stinik
The team of Wikipedians decided that the first weekend of May would be the ideal time to start the new season of Wikiexpeditions for 2025. This time, the choice fell on a part of Macedonia that had not been systematically documented before – the Strumica Valley, i.e. the rural areas in this region. So, on May 3 and 4, 2025, the team began the first Wikiexpedition for this year, during which numerous villages and significant objects in the region were visited.
On May 3, the team headed to the first village, which was Sushica, where they spent an entire hour, because the village had many objects for photography. In addition to the things that were known, the claim that there was also a monastery in the village turned out to be true, for which there was only one source, and the team confirmed its existence. After Sushica, the village of Zubovo followed and photographs were taken. From there, the Wikipedians headed to Novo Selo, where the monastery was photographed near the small artificial lake. Then came the villages of Barbarevo and Samoilovo. From Samoilovo, the team headed to the village of Stinik. In Stinik, it is as if time has stood still and the few residents raise pigs, which is probably a characteristic of the Ogražden mountain itself, since pig farming is also widespread on the Berovo side in the village of Dvorishte. From Stinik, the Wikipedians returned to the regional road, where they were briefly in the village of Bajkovo, where the monastery "St. Peter and Paul" is located. ALso were visited villages Badolen and Novo Konjarevo.
The second day began with the unfinished mission from the previous day, i.e. visiting all the villages in the municipality of Novo Selo. So were visited Staro Konjarevo, Mokrino, Mokrievo, Koleshino and Borisovo. From Koleshino, the villages in the Municipality of Bosilovo were visited. As soon as the Wikipedians came to Borievo, they immediately noticed a big difference in the arrangement of the villages in the Municipality of Novo Selo and those in the Municipality of Bosilovo, so the former villages are far more orderly and tidy compared to the latter. In Monospitovo, the Wikipedians also stayed for a longer time due to the large number of religious buildings, similar to Koleshino. After Monospitovo, the village of Ednokukjevo followed, and then the municipal seat of Bosilovo, which brought this expedition to an end.
With 20 new villages photographed and over 400 kilometers traveled, we can say that the team had another successful expedition.
Caparsko pole Wikiexpedition
St. Petka Church in the village of Malovište, Bitola Municipality, North Macedonia
During the third weekend of June (June 21-22), our team embarked on another wikiexpedition, this time aimed at a lesser-known, but historically and culturally very significant area in the southwestern part of Macedonia – Caparsko Pole, also known as Gjavatkol. This area, which administratively belongs to the Municipality of Bitola, hides a multitude of villages with a rich history, unique architecture and spiritual heritage that is increasingly falling into oblivion over time.
By around 9 am, the team was in the first village of Bratin Dol, which began the expedition. Moving along the old Bitola-Resen highway, the team also stopped at the Bratin Dol motocross track, where there is also a small artificial lake, to photograph them with a drone. The first village visited was Srpci, where photographs were taken of the main village church, as well as the monastery above the village. After Srpci, the team went to Ramna, where were also photographed the church above the village, which is actually located on the site of the former old village and several houses around it have been preserved. Several photos of the old houses were also taken from the village, as well as the cooperative house. After Ramna, the team went to Lera, where were photographed the village mosque and the village school. After Lera, the team went to Dolenci. Next was the village of Kazhani, where there are numerous social facilities and the former police station. From Kazhani, the team headed to Gjavato, where the two village churches were photographed. Then the team visited the village of Malovishte, which is the only one within the Pelister National Park. Here, were photographed the church "St. Petka" and the monastery "St. Ana" above the village. A goat mountain path leads to the monastery and it takes about 30 minutes from the village. After Malovishte, it was the turn of the former municipal center, the village of Capari, where there were also several churches. Here, the church "St. Athanasius" was photographed, as well as the church "St. Spas".
The team began the second day with a visit to Rotino. After visiting and photographing the village churches here, the village of Magarevo followed, where the village and monastery churches were photographed. After Magarevo, the villages of Trnovo, Nizepole and Dihovo followed. After these villages in the Pelister region, the Wikipedians headed to the village of Krstoar, from which they only had a few photos of the village church and the monastery as part of a cycling expedition conducted in 2018, but it was not fully visited. The road to the monastery of the village of Bukovo leads from the monastery above Krstoar, and the monastery is quite well-maintained, like the previous Krstoar monastery. Then followed the village of Orehovo, where the village church and the village center itself were photographed, as well as the former school. As a conclusion to this expedition, the villages located next to the city of Bitola, Gorno Orizari and Raštani, were visited, as well as the place where the Bitola fortress was located and where the foundations of the former church "Presveta Bogorodica", which was really large, can be seen. Excellent drone photos were taken of it, and the team also took a group photo there, which concluded this expedition.
With 15 new villages photographed, 4 revisited, and over 600 kilometers traveled, the team had another successful wikiexpedition.
"Organization of women in Sveti Nikole" Workshop
The participants listening a lecture
One of the main goals of Wikimedia MKD is to bring the concept of Wikipedia and its importance closer to the general public, especially through educational training and the inclusion of new editors.
Within the framework of these projects, on June 2, 2025, Wikimedia MKD organized a workshop and editing marathon with members of the Women's Organization in Sveti Nikole. The event of a lecture on Wikipedia and training for Wikipedia editing began at 1:30 p.m. in the premises of the Municipality of Sveti Nikole and 10 participants were present.
The event began with an educational lecture by Bosa Filipovic, Education Program Manager at Wikimedia MKD, who introduced the students to the basic principles of Wikipedia, the importance of free knowledge, and the rules for editing the encyclopedia. She explained how the platform works, how to check sources of information, and how to write encyclopedia articles. The participants followed the lecture with great interest, asking questions about how they can contribute to improving Wikipedia content.
After the first part, the participants stared editing on Wikipedia, so they created their first articles on Wikipedia in Macedonian language. With the help and support of the Wikimedia MKD team, they wrote a total of 15 articles.
"Protected natural areas of Slovenia" Workshop
The participants
In the past period, the organization has achieved fruitful and successful cooperation with the Slovenian Center – Skopje, and the latest activity from this successful cooperation is the workshop "Protected natural areas of Slovenia", which was held on June 4, 2025 at the premises of Wikimedia MKD at the Youth Cultural Center (MCC) in Skopje. The event was organized on the occasion of the Statehood Day of the Republic of Slovenia, which is celebrated on 25th June. 9 students from High school “Vasil Antevski – Dren” participated in the workshop, under the mentorship of professor and coordinator Liljana Stojkovska.
The event began with a speech by the executive director of Wikimedia MKD Snezana Štrkovska, who emphasized the long-standing cooperation with the Slovenian Center-Skopje and the success of this type of workshops. She was followed by a speech by Sašo Stojkovski from the Slovenian Center-Skopje, who emphasized the role of the center in promoting Slovenian culture and language in Macedonia and emphasized the importance of this type of cooperation between the two associations.
After the official speeches, the students moved on to the second part of the workshop, where they focused on editing and translating Wikipedia content into Macedonian. As a result of their work, a total of 18 new articles were written and published, which enriched the coverage of the topic of Slovenian national parks and protected natural areas.
Editing week "Waste management"
Editing week "Waste management"logo
Wikimedia MKD organized an editing week on the topic of "Waste Management", with the aim of enriching the content of Wikipedia in Macedonian related to the environment, waste and its proper management. The event was part of the global initiative "Wiki for Human Rights 2025", which aims to highlight the connection between human rights and the environment, as well as the importance of access to information for environmental protection.
The editing week "Waste Management" was held from June 2, 2025 to June 8, 2025. All articles had to be written in accordance with the principles and rules of Wikipedia, so all articles had to be written in an encyclopedic style and supported by appropriate sources. When editing the contest, or after its completion, all participants had to write their username on the project page, along with the articles they had written. In addition to writing new articles, participants also had the opportunity to significantly improve an existing article.
The editorial week ended successfully and thus, the Macedonian-language Wikipedia gained 108 new articles related to the topic "Waste management", created by 6 different users of the Macedonian-language Wikipedia.
"Meet Peru" Workshop
The members of Wiki Club Veles had the opportunity to be part of an extraordinary and very inspiring cultural event – “Meet Peru”, which was held in Veles on 13th June in the city library "Goce Delchev". With special honor and attention, the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Peru in Macedonia, Mr. Nenad Janiđević, also addressed the event, who with his dedication and love for Peruvian culture contributed to the significance of this meeting. A creative workshop entitled “Let’s Paint Peru in the Colors of the Rainbow” was also organized, at which Peruvian Rosa, a resident of Veles, authentically conveyed the magic of her native country. Through video presentations, conversations and sharing of traditional customs, the participants were instantly transported to distant Peru – through the colors, sounds and stories of this unique cultural country.
In the spirit of cultural connection, the members of the Wiki Club Veles under the leadership of coordinator Lili Arsova ended this event with an edit a thon, during which 26 articles related to Peru were created by 8 editors. In this way, through the digital encyclopedia, the young people contributed to the spread of knowledge about this fascinating country and its culture, accessible to everyone in the Macedonian language.
"Journalism" Workshop
The members of Wiki club Demir Hisar
On June 24, 2025, a workshop dedicated to the topic of "Journalism" was held for the members of the Wiki Club Demir Hisar. Under the leadership of the coordinator of the Wiki Club Demir Hisar, Aleksandra Shundovski, the workshop attracted great interest among the members who actively participated. The workshop was structured in two parts: educational and practical.
In the first part of the event, the participants had the opportunity to attend an inspiring lecture by Blagoja Shundovski - a journalist, musician and writer, who has been actively working in the media sphere for decades. The second part of the event was dedicated to practical work – edit a thon. Encouraged by what they heard and with the support of mentors, a total of 6 members of the Wiki Club actively engaged in creating content related to journalism. They edited and wrote a total of 8 new articles about Pulitzer Prize winners – the most prestigious recognition in the field of journalism.
The editing marathon took place in a positive atmosphere, with a lot of enthusiasm, cooperation and a desire to learn. The event once again confirmed that such activities have a key role in encouraging young people towards critical thinking, creative expression and active civic participation through digital tools.
Wiki club in Kumanovo - the newest Wiki club
The members of Wiki club Kumanovo
On July 2, 2025, a new Wiki Club was opened in Kumanovo. This club is part of the educational program of Wikimedia MKD and aims to introduce students to the world of Wikipedia and free knowledge. A total of 12 students from several schools in Kumanovo participated in the event.
The event was opened by Snezana Štrkovska, Executive Director of Wikimedia MKD, and Bosa Filipović, Educational Program Manager of Wikimedia MKD, who held an interactive presentation on the basic principles of Wikipedia, the importance of free access to information, and the way encyclopedic content is edited. The students listened with curiosity about the editing process, the rules for using sources, and the importance of accuracy and neutrality in writing.
After the introductory part, the students were given the first practical opportunity to edit on Wikipedia – a step that for many of them was a completely new and exciting experience. The day before was July 1, Canada Day, and that was the theme that inspired the first articles. The students edited articles dedicated to Canadian women writers, which allowed them not only to get acquainted with the process of encyclopedic writing, but also to research significant figures from another cultural context. With the support of the mentors of Wikimedia MKD and the club coordinator, Stojna Arsovska-Donevska, the students applied their new knowledge.
The result of this first activity was more than successful – a total of 19 new articles were written on Wikipedia in Macedonian.
Have you heard of Kırklareli? It’s a city in the European part of Türkiye, near the borders with Bulgaria and Greece. Inhabited since ancient times, Kırklareli is full of cultural traces left by past civilizations—many of which remain little known to the world today. In the last week of May, User:Sadrettin from the Wikimedia Community User Group Türkiye (WMTR) organized a 3-day trip to Kırklareli to explore and document these underrepresented heritage sites for Wikimedia projects.
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This trip was part of the preparations for Wiki Loves Monuments, which the user group plans to organize in Türkiye for the first time in 2025. As the lead of this project, User:Sadrettin has been working on compiling a comprehensive list of cultural assets in the country and creating corresponding Wikidata items, including their coordinates. This field trip, supported by a CEE Hub Microgrant, was a step toward that goal.
Map of places visited
Accompanied by an experienced heritage photographer, Sadrettin visited numerous historical and cultural monuments in Kırklareli. Together, they took over 1,000 photographs of more than 100 cultural sites, created new Wikidata items, prepared categories on Wikimedia Commons, and are now working on uploading and curating the content.
He shared a few key learnings from the trip:
Re-photographing is important
Before the trip, we prepared a list of cultural assets and checked which ones lacked photos on Wikimedia Commons. We planned our route to prioritize those. But during the trip, we realized how valuable it is to re-photograph assets that already have images. Photos taken in different years help track changes over time. For this reason, we tried to visit every site on our list, not just those missing photos.
Commons and Wikidata experience is essential
Uploading images turned out to be the most time-consuming part. Experienced Wikimedia contributors are better equipped to handle the process—creating Commons categories and linking to Wikidata QIDs can be quite challenging for newcomers.
Photo trips raise local awareness about Wikimedia
Our cameras attracted a lot of attention! Local residents showed genuine interest in what we were doing. It became clear that photography isn’t just for documentation—it also sparks conversations and increases awareness of Wikimedia projects.
Don’t miss chances to document intangible heritage
Although our goal was to photograph tangible cultural assets, we unexpectedly encountered elements of intangible heritage. We attended an open-air wedding, chatted with local vendors, and documented regional food and desserts. These moments added richness to our project.
One of the most striking discoveries of the trip was an Ottoman-era bathhouse that now serves as the municipal council building—a remarkable example of how historical architecture can be adaptively reused.
This journey to Kırklareli was not only an opportunity to enrich Wikimedia projects with valuable content but also to strengthen cooperation and communication between community volunteers. With Wiki Loves Monuments 2025 on the horizon, efforts like this lay the groundwork for broader participation and deeper impact.
Albanian Wikimedians at Youth Conference 2025 in Prague
From May 16 to 18, the event brought together youth from across Central and Eastern Europe to share experiences, build skills, make Wikipedia more attractive and engaging for youth, and discuss ways how to use social media platforms to attract more people to contribute to Wikipedia.
Throughout our Wiki contributors, Klaud and Mirens learned how to strengthen peer networks across regions and build leadership and organizational skills for young contributors.
Klaud and Mirens, being part of the conference show that young people from Albania, are becoming more active in the Wikimedia world.
Social media
We have a public channel on WhatsApp of Albanian Language if you want to join and discuss Wikimedia projects.
If you want to see more about our activities, you canː
From April 1 to April 30, 2025, the Wikimedians of Albanian Language User Group held the fourth edition of the Traditional Albanian Food Photography Contest, an open call to document and celebrate the rich culinary traditions of Albania and Kosovo.
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This annual contest invited participants to upload original photographs of traditional dishes, desserts, and beverages to Wikimedia Commons, helping to build a free visual archive for use on Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects.
This year’s edition saw 218 photographs submitted by contributors from across the region and beyond, each image telling a visual story of cultural heritage and community through food. From homemade flija and pite to vibrant plates of speca me gjizë, the submissions highlighted the diversity and authenticity of Albanian cuisine.
After the upload period ended, a jury of three experts reviewed the entries based on creativity, technical quality, composition, and overall storytelling. The jury faced a tough challenge due to the high quality and originality of many submissions.
We are excited to share the three winning photographs of the 2025 edition:
1st Place: Gatimetemia – Pispili me miell misri dhe spinaq
2nd Place: Gatimet shqiptare – Kungull misiri me mjaltë dhe arra
3rd Place: Rrezjaediellit – Tasqebap
Polish Heritage in Ukraine: results of the 2024 campaign
By: antanana, a member of Wiki Loves Monuments Ukraine organising team
Almost 5200 photos were submitted during the first ever campaign dedicated to Polish Heritage in a Ukrainian edition of Wiki Loves Monuments international photo contest. This special category was a joint project of Wikimedia Polska and Wikimedia Ukraine. You can read more about the results, and see winning works below.
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There are a lot of monuments of Polish origin on the territory of Ukraine due to a long shared – and at times complicated – history. There were peaceful times of co-existence, and turbulent times of wars and rebellions, and quite a few tragic pages of a voluminous book of relationships. Not all of these monuments are registered and protected according to the Ukrainian laws, let alone properly cared for by the state authorities or local communities, as the Polish communities living in Ukraine now are not that numerous, and the current, more active stage in the Russo-Ukrainian War is not making things easier. The main purpose of a separate special category was to draw attention to these monuments and their condition, and to document them for Wikipedia.
Volunteers created lists for the special category, containing 1303 monuments (471 out of them with no official protective status), but there is much more objects to cover.
When creating lists for special categories, we significantly rely on our own participants — they send us information about their villages' abandoned cemeteries or forgotten churches, usually without a recognised status as a "cultural monument" on a local or state level. A lot of our participants travel around Ukraine, and they know spots only the locals know. If there are any additional publications, we add them to the lists, add coordinates etc. The information is often very fragmentary, but one has to start somewhere.
This time, for example, I worked on the lists of Polish heritage in Kyiv. It was interesting to see how active was the Polish community here, how many monuments we think of as "truly ours" can have whole angles of their history our school curriculum is not stressing out. For example, the monument in second place of the international contest this year[1], Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, once had quite a lot of Polish students, more than half of them up to 1858-1859, and there was even a Catholic chapel in the University itself to serve their needs[2]. I think by organising these special categories we can see how non-linear the history of our monuments is, and we can learn more aspects, improve Wikipedia articles, and also motivate people to upload pictures.
There was also some personal interest for me in this work — my maternal great grandmother was Polish, from a noble family of Osiecki of Warsaw, and lived in Kyiv. This was not something one would brag about in the Soviet times
— Xsandriel, one of the volunteers who helped to create the special category lists, commenting on her experience
During the campaign itself 126 participants submitted almost 5200 photos, picturing 644 monuments (215 out of them are not registered as monuments) from 17 regions of Ukraine.
Winners were chosen by a separate jury panel, which included Polish Wikimedians and partners of Wikimedia Polska:
Michał Laszczkowski — activist, historian, organiser of conservation work on historical buildings in Central and Eastern Europe;
Damian Kujawa — Wikimedian, volunteer, activist;
Julia Szablowska — photo editor, photographer, curator;
Magdalena Lachowicz — Assistant Professor at the Department of Eastern Studies at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poland;
Julia Maria Koszewska — sociologist, librarian, activist and producer.
As the number of the work submitted was quite high, there was a pre-selection round. 16 volunteers both from Ukraine and Poland took part in reviewing the images. They reviewed 4864 images (the organising team removed images of lower resolution or submitted by the participants with conflict of interest, like organisers and jury members), divided in such a way, that each image was viewed by 3 volunteers. Out of this round 2009 photos proceeded to the main jury.
I've been involved in the Ukrainian edition of Wiki Loves Monuments international photo contest for several years now, categorising submitted photos and selecting the best ones to be evaluated by the jury. I've been living in Poland for many years, so I was pleased that we now have a special category for Polish heritage sites in Ukraine.
I'm interested in and well-acquainted in Polish culture and history, I travel extensively in Ukraine, and I am fluent in both Polish and Ukrainian languages. That's why I was happy to help with categorisation, correction and creation of new object IDs, as well as supplementing lists.
I happen to dedicate a good amount of time to working with images of Polish burials and cemeteries. There are cases when, while cleaning a category of a big cemetery, for example, Baikove in Kyiv or Lychakiv in Lviv, I come across photographs of graves with inscriptions on the tombstones in Polish, but without detailed descriptions or subcategories. Then I start searching, and it is often possible to find other images of these graves on Wikimedia Commons, in Wikipedia articles or in Wikidata, and then they can be all organised together for better find-ability, correcting mistakes etc.
Preserving memory is important and necessary work. It's great that Wikimedia Ukraine and Wikimedia Poland are once again cooperating and taking on this project, which is so necessary, especially now
— shared UA-Lora, one of the pre-selection volunteers
Each jury member had a bit over 800 pictures to look through, in such a way that each work was viewed by two members. 228 pictures made it to the round two, where each jury member were asked to evaluate each work from 1 (minimum) to 10 (maximum) points. The guidance when evaluating pictures was:
from 0 up to 3 for technical quality (sharpness, use of light, perspective etc.);
from 0 to 3 for usefulness of the image for Wikipedia;
from 0 to 3 for originality.
1 additional point for something special in the picture.
Time constraints and situation in Ukraine made it difficult to organise a previously planned special category online meeting, so the results were discussed async.
The results are presented below, and they are grouped thematically, to demonstrate the range of Polish heritage in Ukraine.
The palace itself dates back to 1893 and it is a part of the complex (park and palace). It belonged to a local Polish landowner called Felix Shostakovsky (Shostkovski). Throughout the history the palace hosted a school, and a village club, and even tuberculosis sanatorium. There is no Wikipedia article about it yet. It is currently in ruins, the official number of residents in Buhaivka is 216, there is not enough local community to restore it or keep it from disappearing. The winning photos were taken on June 8, 2024.
The winning pictures are also from June 8, 2024. They depict a manor house in the village of Chahiv, Vinnytsia region. The manor house dates back to the second half of the 19th century. It is a complex of monuments which includes the manager's house, the servants' house, and a park. According to media reports, the estate was bought by Ihor and Olena Ryabtsev, who plan to settle there and are therefore engaged in reconstruction. The last landowners mentioned in the sources were of Polish origin, the Hrushchynskis or Yanovskys[3][4]. Official number of the residents in the village is 771.
This work depicts a castle in the village of Olesko, Lviv region. This is an architectural monument of national importance. Polish King John III Sobieski was born here. The photo was taken on October 30, 2020.
The aerial photo depicts St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church, Kyiv was taken on June 24, 2021. This is an architectural monument of national importance. The church's stained glass windows were damaged during a Russian missile attack on 20 December 2024 during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, highlighting the importance of documenting cultural heritage, as even if the monuments are not directly hit during the war, they can still sustain damages. As a note, having a separate category dedicated to Polish monuments, and having restrictions due to the state of war in Ukraine, that only photos taken no later than June 30, 2024 could participate in the contest, with the only exception of the restrictions being pictures interiors of monuments – their pictures can be submitted even if the pictures were taken during the competition in October, motivated participants to upload more pictures of the interiors of the monuments. As a result, quite a few pictures of the interiors of the Church were uploaded during the contest, especially ones of the stained glass... just to be destroyed or damaged a few months after the contest ended.
The work depicts the tomb (funeral) chapel of the count Zabielski's family (Trzaska coat of arms). The building does not have an official protected status. Photo was taken on February 4, 2023. The village has 446 residents.
This photo depicts the Roman Catholic cemetery in the town of Sataniv, Khmelnytskyi region. It was taken on October 21, 2016. The cemetery is not protected as a cultural heritage site.
The results of the joint project and winners were celebrated at the Wiki Loves Monuments Ukraine hybrid awards ceremony on May 31, 2025[6].
At the awards Ceremony
The collage of winners
Diplomas and souvenirs for winners
Best videos
Maksym Uvaiev (on screen), a video jury member
Winners and active participants
Vadym Posternak (on screen), the most active participant
The awards ceremony participants (on- and offline)
Special categories dedicated to cultural monuments of different peoples living on the territory of Ukraine is an interesting way to bypass, so to say, a very Soviet approach to granting an official protective status to the monuments. Soviet authorities wanted to create a universal Soviet person, without any religious or national identity, and thus they tried not to talk about some aspects of history, and that influenced which cultural sites were designated as monuments and which were not. A lot of Polish heritage is not in the official lists, especially cemeteries, churches, and funeral chapels — and they are also not well tended to, as there is no longer big enough local communities living near them. And with the ongoing Russian war on Ukraine, these monuments also at a higher risk of being destroyed. I hope we will see this project continuing next year as well.
And if you are interested to help as a pre-selection volunteer, please fill in the form
— Venzz, Board member of Wikimedia Ukraine, Wiki Loves Monuments volunteer
Wikimedia Ukraine has a slate of long-running programs, but in early 2025 we’ve also started a bunch of new stuff. Here’s a quick overview of Wikimedia Ukraine’s most recent major projects: an initiative to boost GLAM collaborations; a Wikimedia research conference; support for Ukrainian Wikipedia functionaries – admins & patrollers; new instructional courses about Wikipedia.
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1. “Open GLAM in Ukraine” – laying the ground for a large-scale GLAM collaboration
In late 2024 a consortium of partners that includes Wikimedia Ukraine, Wikimedia Sweden and the National Archives of Sweden received a grant from the Swedish Institute to support a pilot project that would help bring Ukraine's cultural heritage from GLAM institutions to the Wikimedia platforms.
The main goal of the pilot project is to conduct research and analysis of the state of GLAM institutions’ needs and interests. The most important activity was a large-scale survey of institutions. We've managed to get over 550 institutions to respond – much more than we'd hoped for! – and received a lot of interesting results.
Based on the pilot, in May we applied for a larger project that would support large-scale training for GLAM professionals (both leaders and staff members), which would result in fruitful cooperation with Wikimedia.
2. Wikimedia research conference
Wikipedia is, among other things, a fascinating research subject. Hundreds of studies about Wikipedia get published every year – on everything from gender bias in biographical articles to the impact of Wikipedia on students' academic performance.
We will organize a national conference in Kyiv and online in November 2025, as well as a set of supporting online activities before and after the conference. For example, in early August we’ll hold an online presentation of a research study that looks into RuWiki, a Russian pro-regime clone of Wikipedia.
3. Support for Ukrainian Wikipedia functionaries – admins & patrollers
One of Wikimedia Ukraine’s goals for 2025-2026 is investing more resources in supporting experienced Wikipedia users, most notably administrators and patrollers.
In May and June we conducted a large survey of admins and patrollers (70+ responded) and 10 in-depth interviews. We’ve also started organizing online events for learning and exchanging experience; the first one in June gathered close to 20 people.
We’re yet to finalize a long-term plan for this program. To help build it, in the coming weeks we’ll be learning from other communities, including at Wikimania.
4. New instructional courses about Wikipedia
Over the past years we’ve been building an archive of short instructional videos about Wikipedia and Wikimedia projects. By now the list includes over 20 videos, and we’ve covered most essential topics.
We’re now launching “Wikipedia for beginners”, a pilot version of a mass open online course on WikiLearn. The course combines text tutorials, aforementioned videos, and tests. Learners who’ve passed the course will be able to get a certificate from Wikimedia Ukraine. We’ll be iterating the course and sharing our learnings in the coming months.
In the past few months we’ve also done an important project – a webinar course on technical aspects of editing Wikipedia. We’ve done the course specifically for women, as they are underrepresented on Wikipedia overall and especially among users active in “technical” fields. The course included 6 installments on topics like templates, categories, and Wikidata. 30 people joined the course and 14 women successfully finished it. We’ll share more about the course at a CEE Meeting presentation.
Celebrating Francophonie Month: Cross-cultural collaboration in Romania and Moldova
Wikimedians from Romania and Moldova came together in June and July 2025 for a vibrant initiative celebrating Francophonie Month, a contest fuelled by cultural collaboration and knowledge sharing. Partnering with the Institut français de Roumanie à Cluj, the local Wikimedia communities proudly showcased the rich tapestry of French-speaking cultures through the lens of open knowledge.
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About the contest
The Francophonie Month contest invited participants to create and improve Wikipedia articles related to the Francophone world - covering French literature, history, notable figures, and institutions across continents. It fostered cross-border participation and encouraged multilingual content, particularly in Romanian and Moldovan Wikipedia.
Activities and impact
Dozens of contributors joined an online meeting and the writing sessions, adding content in French and Romanian. Articles ranged from French authors and historical events to cultural institutions and key themes in Francophone art and science. The initiative not only boosted content coverage but also strengthened community ties between Francophone cultures and the Wikimedia movement in Eastern Europe.
Partnership and support
The partnership with the Institut français de Roumanie à Cluj brought institutional support, promotional outreach, and thematic resources to elevate the contest’s impact. Their involvement highlighted the shared values of linguistic diversity, cultural exchange, and free access to knowledge.
Regional relevance
Within the broader Wikimedia CEE context, Francophonie Month served as a model for collaborative contests rooted in cultural diplomacy. It showcased how local efforts can resonate globally - bridging gaps between language communities while enriching the Wikimedia ecosystem.
Looking ahead
Organisers hope to expand the initiative in future editions, with more languages and contributors joining the celebration. Francophonie Month stands as a glowing example of how Wikimedia can be a platform for intercultural dialogue, empowerment, and visibility.
If your community is inspired to celebrate linguistic diversity or host a similar initiative, connect with the Wikimedians of Romania and Moldova - they’re always ready to share tips and experiences!
Wikimedians of Romania and Moldova mark first Refugee Day with impactful campaign
In June 2025, the Wikimedians of Romania and Moldova launched the very first Refugee Day Campaign to mark World Refugee Day, using the power of open knowledge to highlight the voices, stories, and contributions of displaced communities. This grassroots initiative was more than a campaign - it was a commitment to representation and empathy on the Wikimedia platforms.
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Purpose and theme
Held in honour of World Refugee Day (June 20), the campaign focused on creating and improving content about refugees, migration history, humanitarian efforts, and notable individuals affected by displacement. The aim was to build understanding while enriching the Romanian and Moldovan Wikimedia projects with underrepresented topics.
Ziua Refugiatului 2025
By the numbers
The first edition made a lasting impression:
13 contributors participated, bringing together both seasoned editors and newcomers
53 new articles were created, shedding light on refugee experiences and institutions
86 existing pages were improved for accuracy, depth, and accessibility
207 total contributions across multiple Wikimedia platforms
Community spirit
Organised entirely by local volunteers, the campaign fostered community solidarity and opened the door for thoughtful discussion around the global refugee experience. It also offered participants guided resources, suggested article lists, and help sessions to empower informed editing.
A regional first
This marks the first time a Wikimedia CEE community has hosted a campaign specifically tied to World Refugee Day - setting a precedent for culturally sensitive, mission-driven outreach in the region.
Organisers hope to make this an annual event, with more languages, perspectives, and stories included. There’s also interest in connecting with other Wikimedia communities to explore shared campaigns across borders.
The Refugee Day Campaign is a shining example of how Wikimedia can act as a bridge between knowledge and empathy, between global crises and local action.
Digest of Russian Wikipedia activities in June-July 2025
Thematic Weeks continue to activate the community through a wide range of regional and topical marathons. Since June 2025, editors have contributed hundreds of articles and images in events spanning from Malaysia to Oromia, and from Aleppo to Southern Brazil. Highlights include an actively held Russian Week and overlapping campaigns across various regional subprojects.
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From June 6 to June 16, the general Thematic Week project held the Malaysian Week, focused on writing about Malaysia. Participants created 61 new articles, improved 3 more, and uploaded 6 images. The next event, the 7th Russian Week, took place from July 4 to July 14, resulting in 228 new articles and 288 uploaded images.
For comparison, the 6th Russian Week (March 2022) saw 51 articles and 18 images, while the 5th (July 2018) had 16 articles and 14 images. This notable growth sparked a community discussion about the shifting dynamics of participation. Although past declines may have stemmed from a variety of factors, the latest results affirm that writing about a large and diverse country remains meaningful and engaging. One incentive was a book prize provided by the North-West Russian Wiki Historians. However, it's telling that recognition in the form of barnstars and public appreciation proved far more motivating — both winners in the user group’s nomination declined the books.
Several subprojects of the Thematic Week also remained active:
Thematic Week of European Regions focused on Marche from June 16 to June 22 (50 new articles, 3 images), while the following Auvergne Week, held from July 14 to July 20, resulted in 31 new articles.
Thematic Week of Cities covered Aleppo from June 16 to June 22, with 34 articles created. The next event, Brazzaville Week, held from July 14 to July 20, gave 19 articles.
Thematic Week of American Regions focused on Southern Brazil from June 23 to July 2, yielding 121 new articles, 2 templates, and 15 images.
Thematic Week of African Regions featured Oromia Week from June 27 to July 3, with 48 articles created and 1 improved.
Thematic Week of Russian-Speaking Regions of the World concluded its Bashkir Week (May 23 – June 3), resulting in 70 new and 5 improved articles, 1 template, and 59 images. A new event, the Semirechye Week, held from July 14 to July 25, resulted in 13 new articles and 2 uploaded images.
From June 21 to August 20, a member of NWR-Hist usergroup is also organizing the Street Marathon 2025 (ru:Проект:Уличный марафон 2025), dedicated to creating and improving articles about streets — a topic that often faces deletion due to notability concerns. Several articles written during the Russian Week, including ones about heritage streets in Volgograd, were also counted toward this marathon.
In response to frequent questions about article deletion, a public webinar titled “I wrote an article for Wikipedia… Why was it deleted?” was held to clarify notability guidelines and editorial standards for a broad audience.
Russian-speaking contributors are also expected to participate in CoordinateMe 2025; further details are TBA.
Meanwhile, prizes were awarded to the winners of WikiSpring 2025. The grand prize winner, user:Giggs96, who had previously placed in earlier editions, finally reached the top — and selected an unusual prize: a vinyl record player. The jury is delighted with the request! A photo of the prize is available.
North-West Russian Wiki Historians continue documenting Disappearing heritage
In June and July, members of our user group continued photographing cultural heritage sites — both during Wiki meetups and solo outings. We aim to capture as many sites as possible, while the region’s capricious weather permits — and while the sites themselves still exist: not yet destroyed by neglect, profit-driven decisions, or careless restoration.
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We photographed in various districts of Saint Petersburg — from the very center to the outskirts — as well as in Moscow’s Gorky Park, where, alongside blooming flowers and rarely preserved manhole covers, we documented a decaying monument: the former Kavkaz restaurant. We also visited the Vepsian folk festival "Tree of Life" in Podporozhsky District — as intangible heritage matters too, especially when it comes to endangered traditions of disappearing minority cultures.
We visited the Water Universe museum, in the Hermitage and the Leningrad Zoo, walked the tropical route of the Botanical Garden of Peter the Great, and were unexpectedly invited to explore old basement spaces on 8th Sovetskaya Street — introduced by the building manager as a bomb shelter, though more likely former janitor's quarters. We also thoroughly documented the recently restored Kondratyevsky residential complex.
Several rarely accessible interiors were photographed: the mansion of Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna (now the Chamber of Commerce and Industry), the main building of the Volkhovstroy step-down substationru — a unique post-revolutionary power facility featuring a marble control panel and staircase, a draw mechanism of the Yekateringofsky Bridgeru, as well as the Musin-Pushkin mansionru and Zubov mansionru, which had not previously been represented on Wikimedia Commons.
A field trip to the town of Luga served as a grim reminder: some heritage buildings are simply disappearing — from public maps and from the landscape itself. The historic Local Government Office building was being demolished practically before our eyes. We also managed to photograph a still-standing but visibly altered former church: its historic brick window frames had been partially destroyed to make room for plastic windows.
During a trip to Kronstadt, we encountered numerous newly built monuments in the Patriot park on the grounds of the Peter the Great Admiralty — whose historical buildings, it seems, no one is planning to restore. Meanwhile, a genuine monument to military history — Admiral Lütke's lunette, located just a few blocks from the ceremonial center of Kronstadt — stands almost completely inaccessible, overgrown by swampy forest, and nearly all of its mid-19th century structures lack protected status. And yet, the site holds clear potential for a remarkable museum…
We also saw how in the popular, well-promoted parks of Peterhof every blade of grass is carefully maintained and separate fees are charged for each zone — while in lesser-known locations like Sergievka and the So-called Private Dacha, there is at best stagnation and at worst complete decay. UNESCO World Heritage sites that one can hardly visit without risking a twisted ankle; crumbling Baroque atlantes bound in metal clamps; algae-covered ponds, ruined porticoes, and collapsing pergola columns. This has been going on for years — and how long until complete loss, we do not know. But we try to document what still remains.
In Lomonosovsky District, we photographed the sad ruins of another UNESCO site, the Ropsha Palace and Park Ensemble, as well as the ruins of three once majestic churches — the Lutheran in Maly Gorki and the Orthodox in Ropsha and in Russko-Vysotskoe. It is striking not only the catastrophic condition of these (as well as many other) architectural monuments, but also the fact that they are all located in a densely populated area where housing and infrastructure are actively being built. But nobody seems to care about preserving historical memory. At best, a crumbling building is surrounded by a fence or hidden behind a false facade, at worst, even this is not done. And all that remains is to photograph the dying beauty year after year.
Our work continues: the photographs are already being used in Wikipedia articles and enriching Wikivoyage heritage listings, while some participants are preparing materials for the upcoming Wiki Loves Monuments contest. Each such image is not only an illustration — it’s an act of preservation.
Articles illustrated for the first time with fresh media
EduWiki Conference 2025 in Bogotá (May 30 – June 1) was more than just an event for me — it was a true source of ideas, inspiration, and optimism. This conference brings together people who don’t just teach or edit Wikipedia, but view it as a powerful tool for learning, critical thinking, and societal change. It was a gathering of participants from around the world: Brazil, Peru, Argentina, USA, Armenia, Nigeria, Spain, Indonesia, and many more. I represented Ukraine, and it was a great honor for me. We were connected not only by the words «Wiki» and «Education» but also by shared challenges: how to engage young people? How to address the impact of artificial intelligence in education? How can we make knowledge genuinely open? Immersion into Colombian culture by visiting the Museum of gold in Bogota was also a great experience. Thanks to the conference organizers, especially Wikimedia Colombia and Wikipedia & Education User Group team.
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One of the hottest topics discussed during the conference was AI in education. Argentina is already piloting a course designed to help teachers think critically about AI, rather than just using it passively.
In Peru, they hold «green digital» dialogues focused on how environmental education can be enhanced through wiki based resources. Meanwhile, Brazil has launched a comprehensive online course on Wikiversity that teaches how to edit, debate, and collaborate using the wiki format.
While much attention was given to younger generations (Bolivia, Philippines, Nigeria, Albania, Kosovo, Czech Republic, etc.) — like Indonesia’s campaign with short videos called «#JadiTahu», which introduces Wikipedia to young people through popular formats such as reels and TikToks — what truly moved me were stories about education for older adults. In Spain, «universities of the third age» offer courses on critical reading of Wikipedia articles, emphasizing that media literacy is essential for people of all ages.
Another fascinating discovery was the Wikipedia Impact Index. It doesn’t only track page views but also considers article quality, citations in media, academic papers, and even references in AI chat conversations.
Participants also shared methods for identifying «content gaps» — topics that still lack Wikipedia articles. WikiWomen's Lunch Eduwiki Bogota 2025 This effort is about more than just building the encyclopedia; it’s about ensuring fairness in information access. The gender gap was discussed in detail at the Wikiwomen* Lunch, which I was involved in organizing.
Some tools I encountered were eye-opening: Wikeys, a board game, teaches Wikipedia editing in a fun way; Kiwix offers offline Wikipedia access, making knowledge available in places without internet, such as Ghana and Nigeria; tools like Wiki Page Navigation, Citer, and G-Location simplify tasks even for experienced Wikipedians.
Many conversations took place, but the main takeaway for me was that creating content is only part of the mission — supporting people is just as important. Initiatives like EduWiki Hub (future format of the Wikipedia & Education User Group), Let’s Connect, and mentoring programs help foster the feeling that nobody is alone in the world of open knowledge.
After attending this conference, I’m certain of a few things:
Educational programs must be updated to address the challenges posed by AI.
Education isn’t just for young people — it’s also vital for senior people, teachers, and researchers.
Short video formats serve as an effective way to reach new audiences.
We need to focus more on research, analytics, and the real-world impact of wiki projects.
And most importantly, we must always remember the people behind it all, because they are the ones who keep Wikipedia alive.
During my presentation «Wikimedia Ukraine for educators and scholars: community support and innovation in times of war» significant emphasis was placed on the crucial role of distance learning and communication as essential support tools in challenging circumstances. Flyers designed by Wikimedia Ukraine team Organizational, informational, and other forms of assistance help unify the community and enhance the professional skills of educators and researchers. Special focus was given to organizing competitions for teachers and scholars, which encourage engagement and creativity. Promising directions for future development include strengthening collaboration with scientists, expanding mentoring programs, supporting the mental health of community members, and implementing an international Wikipedia educational program.
To share these insights and many others that I gained in Bogotá with educators from the Ukrainian wiki community, I organized a webinar titled «What They Discussed on the EduWiki Conference in Colombia». Beforehand, I prepared a presentation and a separate page on the Wikimedia Ukraine platform containing all the available links to the speakers’ talks and projects.
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Media related to Central Asian WikiCon 2025 at Wikimedia Commons
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Palace ruins. Buhaivka, Vinnytsia Oblast, Ukraine © Oleksandr Malyon, CC BY-SA 4.0
Palace ruins. Buhaivka, Vinnytsia Oblast, Ukraine © Oleksandr Malyon, CC BY-SA 4.0
Estate. Chahiv, Vinnytsia Oblast, Olesko Castle© Oleksandr Malyon, CC BY-SA 4.0
Estate. Chahiv, Vinnytsia Oblast, Ukraine © Oleksandr Malyon, CC BY-SA 4.0
Olesko Castle, Lviv Oblast, Olesko Castle © Kateryna Polishchuk, CC BY-SA 4.0
St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church, Kyiv, Ukraine © Maksym Popelnyukh, CC BY-SA 4.0
Stained glass (March 12, 2024) © Antonina Vyshnevska, CC BY-SA 4.0
Damages after Russian missile attack in the morning of 20 December 2024 © Mcip.gov.ua, CC BY 4.0
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Funeral chapel. Mala Luka, Ternopil Oblast, Ukraine © Dmytro Poliukhovych, CC BY-SA 4.0
Catholic cemetery. Sataniv, Khmelnytskyi Oblast, Ukraine © Dmytro Poliukhovych, CC BY-SA 4.0
At the awards Ceremony
The collage of winners
Diplomas and souvenirs for winners
Best videos
Maksym Uvaiev (on screen), a video jury member
Winners and active participants
Vadym Posternak (on screen), the most active participant
The awards ceremony participants (on- and offline)
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