Grants:Committees/Committee Opens Call/Sub-Saharan Africa

Application for Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Funds Committee Members

Region-specific criteria

The following are some desired qualities we are looking for in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) Regional Funds Committee members, but not all are required:

ability to commit to attending 80% of meetings, with a commitment of approximately 10 hours per month.
strong ability to participate effectively in collaborative decision making and thought partnership in a committee context (e.g. good speaking and listening boundaries, able to give and receive honest feedback in non-conflictual way, able to think strategically at a high level, open to changing your mind, able to receive and offer help, empathetic and kind)
alignment with the values of the 2030 strategic direction and the movement strategy recommendations. Alignment with the trust-based philanthropy values outlined above under the heading "What is our approach to grantmaking?".
understanding of or willingness to learn about participatory grant-making.
a demonstrated commitment to sharing skills and experience, and helping others grow.
professional and/or volunteer experience and skills related to committee review work, such as budget management and review skills, experience with governance of non-governmental organizations, background in common programmatic areas like culture and heritage, education, etc. Experience in evaluating financial and technical components of proposals.
has applied for and received Wikimedia grants in the past.
understanding of Wikimedia programs, in addition to contributions to the online projects, experience in organizing events/ campaigns and managing projects.
expertise, including lived experience, related to diversity, equity and inclusion to help promote and support knowledge equity, and the increasing of geographic, gender, or age diversity.
Experience in organizing Wikimedia events and/or campaigns.
Has no current block across any of the Wiki projects.

Instructions

To apply for the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) Regional Funds Committee, please review the open call and then submit your application by providing a statement below with the following information.

Applications are currently open.

What country are you based in?
Tell us about yourself and why you want to join a Regional Committee. Please consider responding to some of the questions below, but it is not necessary to respond to all of them in your application. Please keep your statement under 500 words.
- What is your current participation in the Wikimedia movement or the Free Knowledge Ecosystem?
- How do you think you could contribute towards the committees’ role and ways of working?
- How do you think the committee could make decision making more participatory?
- How do you think the committee could improve grant making so it has a greater impact?
- What skills, background or experience could you bring to the committee? You might address grant making, knowledge equity, or other relevant areas.

You are not required to post your application on Meta-wiki. Applications may alternatively be sent to the Regional Program Officer, Willy Buloso (wbuloso-ctrwikimedia.org) for review. In your email, please use the subject line Regional Committee application and your name or username for clarity. Please note that after receiving your application over email, we will publish your username/full name on Meta-wiki to support a more transparent application process.

Candidates for the Sub-Saharan Africa Committee

Chikeme Chizurum

What country are you based in?

Nigeria

Tell us about yourself and why you want to join a Regional Committee.

I am a volunteer editor and member of Igbo Wikimedians User Group. I joined the movement in 2021 in the course of surfing the internet. I am naturally open to learning and as a result of growth, I became co-founder Ebonyi State University (EBSU) IG Wiki Fan Club, co-founder and coordinator of University of Nigeria Ig Wiki Fan Club.I am passionate about promotion of free and accessible knowledge through various Wikimedia Projects. I have been priveleged to organize events in my local language, Igbo, around Wikipedia, Wiki Commons, wiktionary and wikiquote through the support of Igbo Wikimedians User Group.

In 2024, I applied and got selected as a volunteer member of the Community Support grant committee representing the South East geopolitical zone in my country, Nigeria.I collaborated with team members and gained valuable experience during deliberation sessions. I am passionate about enriching African resources through creation of contents that amplifies our voces. I am an ardent believer of free knowledge and helping others to folllow suit.

What is your current participation in the Wikimedia movement or the Free Knowledge Ecosystem?

I am a member Grant Committee, Wikimedia User Group Nigeria Community Support Fund and member of the Communications Committee Igbo Wikimedians User Group. Aside the already mentioned current participation, I have been involved in the Wikimedia Movement here towards the common good of making knowledge open, free and accessible.

How do you think you could contribute towards the committees’ role and ways of working?

My response

How do you think the committee could make decision-making more participatory?

My response

How do you think the committee could improve grantmaking, so it has a greater impact?

I have not being part of the SSA regional committee in order to know what is obtainable, but I believe the committe can encourage receiving feedback from applicants through Grant office hours and translation of grant materials in some languages

What skills, background or experience could you bring to the committee? You might address grant making, knowledge equity, or other relevant areas.

As a volunteer member of grants committee Wikimedia User Group Nigeria Community Support Fund, I have mastered and understood the importance of being present in deliberation meetings and giving my unbiased and honest feedback from Grant proposals submitted.As a graduateof English and Literary Studies,I have also honed my skills in speaking, listening, and writing. Together with the Nigeria Support Fund Team, I have reviewed about 50 grant applications and received grants from the Igbo Wikimedia User Group for projects in line with the Wikimedia Foundation goal.

I have also organized events and projects in the Igbo Wikimedia Community towards the promotion of equitable, free,and accessible knowledge.

King ChristLike

What country are you based in?

Nigeria

Tell us about yourself and why you want to join a Regional Committee.

I am a dedicated medical laboratory scientist, researcher and serial volunteer with a strong passion for knowledge-sharing and community-driven initiatives. I joined the Wikimedia movement since 2020 and have been an active member, contributing significantly to various projects and campaigns. Over the years, I have played key roles in organizing Wikimedia events, mentoring new editors, and leading impactful programs within my community. My work on community initiatives has helped bridge knowledge gaps, especially in underrepresented African communities. Additionally, my background in governance, event organizing, and financial/resource management equips me with the skills necessary to review grant applications, assess project feasibility, and support grantees effectively. Joining the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Funds Committee aligns with my vision of empowering communities through equitable access to resources. I am particularly drawn to the participatory grant-making approach, as it ensures that funding decisions reflect the needs and aspirations of the communities they serve. I am committed to knowledge equity, diversity, and inclusion, and I believe that my project management skills, understanding of the Wikimedia movement and lived experiences as an African Wikimedian will provide valuable insights into addressing the challenges faced by communities in the region, and contributing meaningfully to the committee’s work.

What is your current participation in the Wikimedia movement or the Free Knowledge Ecosystem?

I have been an active Wikimedian since 2020, contributing to Wikipedia, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons, and other sister projects with a focus on improving content related to underrepresented communities, particularly the Igbo language and African knowledge. Beyond editing, I have organized meetups, edit-a-thons, and workshops, including serving as Programs Manager in the Igbo Wiki Fan Clubs and co-facilitating the Wikidata 12th birthday celebration in the Igbo Wikimedians User Group. I recently organized the 72 hours virtual marathon edit-a-thon in the Igbo Wikimedians User Group that recorded huge impact on the Igbo Wikipedia. I am a member of the Programs Committee in the Wikimedia User Group Nigeria. My contributions extend to tool development as a co-builder of Finderly, a Wikimedia tool designed to enhance the editing experience. Beyond Wikimedia, I have spoken at Wikimedia conferences including the WikiConference Nigeria 2024, advocating for open knowledge, youth and community engagement. I am a member of the program committee for the LD4 conference 2025, amongst several other committees. I participated in the Data Reuse Days 2025, and the Wiki Mentor Africa Hackathon 2025, with focus on technical documentations that support the movement. Beyond that, we’re currently developing the Audio Lexeme Matching Tool. My experience in content creation, event organization, tool development, grant management, and mentorship is a testament of my commitment to Wikimedia’s mission. I am passionate about knowledge equity and fostering a thriving community of contributors.

How do you think you could contribute towards the committees’ role and ways of working?

I will contribute to the SSA Regional Funds Committee by leveraging my experience in Wikimedia projects, grant management, and community engagement. Having successfully applied for and managed Wikimedia grants, I understand the application process with it’s challenges and can help assess proposals effectively. I have worked closely with diverse communities, fostering collaboration and inclusive participation. By serving on this committee, I will contribute to strengthening Wikimedia’s grant-making approach in Sub-Saharan Africa, ensuring transparent and equitable resource distribution to impactful community projects.

How do you think the committee could make decision-making more participatory?

The committee can make decision-making more participatory by actively engaging diverse voices from the Wikimedia community, ensuring that funding decisions reflect real needs. This can be done by community consultations, getting feedback through surveys or open discussions, and involving local Wikimedians in the grant evaluation process for inclusivity. Clear guidelines and sharing decision rationales, should be published. Providing additional mentorship and support to applicants, particularly from underrepresented communities, will empower more people to engage in the funding process.

How do you think the committee could improve grantmaking, so it has a greater impact?

The committee can improve grantmaking for greater impact by prioritizing community-driven needs, simplifying the application process, and ensuring equitable access to funding. Additionally, introducing more flexible funding models, such as microgrants for smaller projects and multi-year grants for long-term projects, will enhance sustainability. Regular impact assessments, grantee check-ins, will also help track progress, identify best practices, and refine funding strategies.

What skills, background or experience could you bring to the committee? You might address grant making, knowledge equity, or other relevant areas.

As a strong advocate for knowledge equity, I have worked to bridge content gaps through various on-wiki and off wiki initiatives. I bring extensive experience in Wikimedia projects, progam and grant management, and community development, which will be valuable to the committee. Having successfully applied for and implemented Wikimedia-funded projects, I understand the grantmaking process from both applicant and reviewer perspectives. My role as Programs Manager in the Igbo Wiki Fan Clubs, has equipped me with skills in evaluating project feasibility, impact assessment, and strategic planning.

Din-nani1

What country are you based in?

Ghana

Tell us about yourself and why you want to join a Regional Committee.

My name is Abdul-Rasheed Yussif, a Wikimedian, open movement advocate, digital cultural heritage promoter, and the Project Manager of the Dagbani Wikimedians User Group. based in Tamale, Ghana. I am passionate about knowledge equity, capacity building, and fostering sustainable access to free knowledge across Africa. Joining the Regional Committee will allow me to help shape equitable funding processes that empower underrepresented communities. I want to contribute to strengthening local leadership, amplifying emerging voices, and ensuring grant-making aligns with community realities and aspirations.

What is your current participation in the Wikimedia movement or the Free Knowledge Ecosystem?

I began contributing to Wikipedia and its sister projects in 2015 and have been actively involved in Dagbani Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, Wikidata, and WikiSource. As Project Manager for the Dagbani Wikimedians User Group , I played a vital role in bringing the Dagbani Wikipedia from the Wikimedia Incubator to a fully-fledged Wikipedia. I am also a Certified Reading Wikipedia in the Classroom Trainer, delivering workshops to educators and promoting Wikipedia’s use as an educational tool. I organize community training programs, edit-a-thons, and digital heritage projects that expand the Wikimedia movement’s reach in underserved communities.

How do you think you could contribute towards the committees’ role and ways of working?

I can contribute by bringing a grassroots perspective, ensuring funding decisions reflect the diverse needs and contexts of Sub-Saharan African communities. My experience in project management, strategic planning, and community leadership positions me to review proposals thoughtfully, mentor applicants where needed, and help develop funding strategies that prioritize sustainability, equity, and inclusivity.

How do you think the committee could make decision-making more participatory?

Decision-making can become more participatory by building stronger two-way communication channels with applicants, hosting open office hours for proposal development support, and actively seeking feedback from past grantees. Mentorship for emerging communities and fostering collaborative learning spaces will help ensure that applicants are not just recipients but active partners in the funding ecosystem.

How do you think the committee could improve grant making so it has a greater impact?

The committee can improve grant-making impact by supporting projects that build long-term organizational capacity, encouraging partnerships between newer and more experienced affiliates, and funding initiatives that address structural inequalities. Emphasizing community-led metrics of success and supporting continuous learning and evaluation can ensure that grants lead to sustainable change rather than isolated outputs.

What skills, background or experience could you bring to the committee?

I bring extensive experience in Wikimedia project leadership, grant management, and community organizing. As someone with fair knowledge of accounting principles, I can support financial oversight and budget analysis. My expertise as an educational psychologist informs my understanding of inclusive learning, community engagement, and impact evaluation. Furthermore, my practical involvement in building the Dagbani Wikipedia and training educators positions me to support the committee’s goals of equitable, impactful grant-making across Sub-Saharan Africa.