Global Resource Distribution Committee/Funding Principles

The interim Global Resource Distribution Committee has updated and expanded the principles of the Grants Strategy Relaunch 2020-2021 so they can serve as the foundation of a refreshed grantmaking strategy for the Wikimedia Movement. This is a major update and we welcome your feedback for improvements in the Discussion page.

These Funding Principles function as ethical and operational compass for the future of Wikimedia grantmaking. They are intended to guide not only what the strategy prioritizes, but how decisions are made and why.

The GRDC grounded its work in values that are widely recognized across Wikimedia and like-minded organizations. Most of these principles originate in the Movement Strategy 2030 principles. The GRDC has reviewed and adapted these recognized principles into a practical grantmaking framework, ensuring they are relevant and practical in funding-related conversations and decision-making. By giving these principles a more concrete form, the GRDC aims to provide clear, shared guidance for grantmaking decisions.

Collaboration & Cooperation

Core concept

Because collaboration and cooperation are central to Wikimedia’s ethos, they are also a key principle in guiding resource distribution. We thrive on learning from each other and believe that this leads to long-term growth, resilience, and increased capacity. Collaboration and cooperation between local, regional, global, and thematic communities enables us to draw on our collective knowledge, experiences, and distributed expertise to improve our effectiveness, respond to challenges, and work towards our shared vision.

Through grantmaking

1. We encourage the sharing of knowledge, tools, funds, equipment and other resources across and between communities in order to support community development and resilience.
2. We support collaboration across different communities, affiliates and other movement stakeholders in order to better identify and address challenges and maximise opportunities.
3. We build networks where all involved can articulate their goals, strengths and needs.
4. We recognise that impact lies in building trusted, long-term partnerships (not transactional relationships) based on solidarity and mutual accountability.
5. Recognizing that the Wikimedia Movement has limited resources, we prioritize cooperation in an effort to maximize reach and impact.

People-centered

Core concept

The Wikimedia Movement is powered by people in various, often overlapping roles; from volunteer contributors and movement organizers to partners, readers, donors and staff members. These stakeholders have unique needs and should be supported by (rather than beholden to) relevant policies, practices, structures and technical solutions. The principle of being people-centered within grantmaking and resource distribution means focusing on the needs and challenges of the contributors who build Wikimedia and the readers served by the Movement, to ensure its long-term vitality.

Through grantmaking

1. We support and develop opportunities for people to feel heard, with shared responsibility for creating and implementing different mechanisms for engagement.
2. We support the diversity of our Movement by raising awareness about, and among, those who are missing from it or underrepresented.
3. We create (or support the creation of) safe and welcoming spaces within our Movement, particularly for people who haven’t historically participated as contributors or readers.
4. We look to develop social as well as technical solutions to barriers to participation across our Movement.

Subsidiarity

Core concept

Subsidiarity fosters participatory, equitable, and co-owned decision-making. Subsidiarity in the context of Wikimedia resource distribution means that online and offline Wikimedia communities are empowered to make decisions for themselves at the most immediate or local level as much as possible. This helps to ensure contextual relevance and build local and regional capacity, while maintaining alignment with the overarching priorities of the Wikimedia Foundation and broader movement.

Through grantmaking

1. We make funding and resource distribution decisions at the most immediate or local level and make sure they are informed by local or relevant thematic context.
2. The default assumption is that the people from a geographic area or thematic community are best placed to understand local context and what represents meaningful impact.
3. We trust in the capacity of local actors to make autonomous, informed and context-sensitive decisions that are aligned with the shared vision and strategic direction of the Wikimedia Movement.

Iterative, evidence-based and collaborative practices

Core Concept

Efficiency in grantmaking means using all of our resources—including knowledge, time and funding—in ways that create the highest potential for impact; based on mutual learning, shared accountability, and transparency.

Through grantmaking

1. We use resources wisely and contextually, while also embracing innovation, experimentation, and responsible risk-taking.
2. We understand that learning from both successes and failures is essential for the growth of communities and the Wikimedia Movement as a whole.
3. We use monitoring and evaluation to strengthen mutual learning, real collaboration and shared accountability, rather than as a one-size-fits-all, quantitative approach.
4. We commit to clear and timely communication about decisions and outcomes related to resource distribution
5. We openly and transparently share how data and feedback have shaped our decisions..

Equity & Empowerment

Core Concept

The concept of equity relates to fairness, justness and addressing inequalities. Within the context of resource distribution, the principle of Equity & Empowerment recognizes the need to provide opportunities at an appropriate level for every community and context based on their needs, history and specific challenges. Empowerment recognises historically and/or geographically disadvantaged stakeholders and focuses on funding to build stronger stakeholder communities, whilst supporting the sustainability of longstanding communities. In a culturally and socially diverse environment such as the Wikimedia Movement, we commit to Equity and Empowerment at a local, thematic and global level.

Through grantmaking

1. We ensure that stakeholders from different contexts are meaningfully engaged in planning, decision-making and resource allocation.
2. We commit to funding models that are flexible and adaptable in order to effectively support existing and emerging Wikimedia communities.
3. We ensure that funding and support are responsive to each community’s context, rather than uniformly distributed.
4. We encourage more established communities and affiliates to support the development of other communities across the Movement, through the sharing of skills, expertise or resources.