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Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Activating Botswana 23/24, WikiConnect:Building Bridges and Fostering Free Accessible Knowledge For All/Final Report

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Final Learning Report

Report Status: Under review

Due date: 2024-07-30T00:00:00Z

Funding program: Wikimedia Community Fund

Report type: Final

Application

This is an automatically generated Meta-Wiki page. The page was copied from Fluxx, the grantmaking web service of Wikimedia Foundation where the user has submitted their midpoint report. Please do not make any changes to this page because all changes will be removed after the next update. Use the discussion page for your feedback. The page was created by CR-FluxxBot.


General information

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This form is for organizations, groups, or individuals receiving Wikimedia Community Funds or Wikimedia Alliances Funds to report on their final results.

  • Name of Organization: N/A
  • Title of Proposal: Activating Botswana 23/24, WikiConnect:Building Bridges and Fostering Free Accessible Knowledge For All
  • Amount awarded: 41330.02 USD, 459990.23 BWP
  • Amount spent: 428078.95 BWP

Part 1 Understanding your work

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1. Briefly describe how your proposed activities and strategies were implemented.

Our proposed activities and strategies were implemented through a well-coordinated approach led by a dedicated team of four members. We held regular team meetings, project-specific sessions, and deep dive workshopping sessions to ensure smooth project execution. We used Google Workspaces to manage documentation and track timelines, tasks, and workflows efficiently.

We successfully adopted two universities, Botho University and Limko University, where we facilitated training and onboarding sessions with 30 new editors from both schools. Our partnership with BUIST attracted around 40 participants, showcasing a strong interest in Wikipedia training.

We organized a successful bootcamp that featured a range of expert speakers discussing topics such as the Universal Code of Conduct (UCoC), community building, grants, and governance. The bootcamp included engaging activities and a SWOT analysis to assess the community's strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, we received strategic advice from Bobby Shabangu on best practices for growth and partnerships.

This year, Wikimedia Botswana User Group achieved significant milestones, including recognition by the Wikimedia Foundation and a remarkable increase in Setswana articles, doubling our previous count to approximately 1,747 articles. Our activities were further enriched by attending major events like Wikimania and the Wiki Summit, providing valuable learning and networking opportunities

2. Were there any strategies or approaches that you felt were effective in achieving your goals?

Community Engagement and Collaboration: Engaging with the community through regular trainings and events, such as the bootcamp and university adoptions, helped build strong connections and foster a sense of belonging. Collaborating with other Wikimedia community groups and experts provided valuable insights and support.Targeted Training and Capacity Building: Conducting focused training sessions at Botho University, Limkokwing University, and the bootcamp equipped participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to contribute effectively to Wikimedia projects. The training was tailored to meet the specific needs of the community, making it highly impactful. Use of Google Workspaces and other digital tools for project management and communication streamlined our processes and improved efficiency for the staff and community. This approach allowed us to coordinate events and trainings effectively despite logistical challenges. Diverse and Inclusive Projects such as leadership workshop and Strategic bootcamp helped to incorporating a variety of topics and speakers, including those addressing gender gap issues and local language content, helped cater to a diverse audience. Adopting Schools and Expanding Reach: The school adoption initiative significantly expanded our community, bringing in 30 new members and establishing a presence in new cities in Botswana. This strategy proved successful in increasing participation and awareness. Feedback and Adaptability: Actively seeking feedback and being open to adapting our plans based on the community's needs and challenges allowed us to refine our approaches and address emerging issues effectively. Link here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1EneNM-xS9qSdMfnSwxdoLav5NxuGa0DB54VM6EOd5zU/edit?usp=sharing

3. Would you say that your project had any innovations? Are there things that you did very differently than you have seen them done by others?

Yes, our project had innovative aspects such as: School Adoption: We adopted Botho University and Limkokwing University, where we worked closely with students and faculty. This wasn't just about holding trainings; we built lasting relationships and provided continuous support and mentorship. This approach helped sustain participation and foster growth in Wikimedia activities. Bootcamp Format: Our Wikimedia Botswana Bootcamp combined in-person and virtual elements, allowing us to have speakers from other community share their knowledge and skills virtually. This hybrid model enriched the learning experience, covering a wide range of topics. The interactive format, including SWOT analysis and discussions on future strategies, was a fresh way to engage the community. Focus on Local Language Content: We prioritized creating content in Setswana, which is often underrepresented as an indigenous language for Botswana. This focus on local language content helped address a critical content gap and promote cultural representation. Inclusive and Diverse Programming: We emphasized gender gap initiatives, like Wiki Loves Women and Art+Feminism, to raise awareness and encourage participation from diverse groups, as well as increase visibility of women in the digital space. Community Building Activities: We incorporated fun activities, such as writing "sugar cubes" (positive messages) to community members, to foster a supportive and encouraging environment. This simple gesture helped strengthen community bonds and uplift participants. Adapting to Challenges: Despite challenges like the late arrival of funds and the need to cancel the parliamentary profiling project, we quickly adapted by organizing the bootcamp. This event became a valuable opportunity for reflection and future planning.

4. Please describe how different communities participated and/or were informed about your work.

International Wikimedia Community: Our bootcamp featured speakers from various Wikimedia communities, including representatives from the Wikimedia Foundation and different Wikimedia user groups. For example, Christel Steigenberger shared insights on the Universal Code of Conduct, Felix Nartey discussed the Wiki Ecosystem and Movement Charter, and Tochi Precious from the Igbo User Group talked about community building. Social Media and Online Platforms: We used platforms like Google Workspaces for documentation and Google drive to share training recordings as well as social media for outreach and updates on upcoming events. This helped keep our community informed about ongoing projects, upcoming events, and opportunities for involvement. Notably, our active presence on platforms like Facebook sparked interest from BIUST University in Palapye leading to a collaboration where they hosted us for Wikipedia training session. Community Feedback Mechanisms: We encouraged community members to share their thoughts and feedback through surveys and discussions. This open communication ensured that we remained responsive to the needs and ideas of our community. Gender Gap Initiatives: We collaborated with Black Lunch Table (BLT) to run gender gap-related training sessions, focusing on addressing the underrepresentation of women and gender-diverse individuals on Wikimedia platforms. This partnership aimed to create more inclusive content and empower contributors to engage with gender-related topics. Due to the successful work done last year with Black Lunch Table (BLT), Candy was appointed as a regional proxy again this year to lead BLT's gender gap projects. This appointment reflects the positive impact of our collaboration with BLT and highlights our continued efforts to address gender disparities in Wikimedia content.

5. Documentation of your impact. Please use the two spaces below to share files and links that help tell your story and impact. This can be documentation that shows your results through testimonies, videos, sound files, images (photos and infographics, etc.) social media posts, dashboards, etc.

  • Upload Documents and Files
  • Here is an additional field to type in URLs.
Here is a link to our Wikimedia Botswana main project page with all the vents that happened; https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Community_User_Group_Botswana

Our social page to showcase how we publicised our events; https://www.facebook.com/ActivatingBotswana/ Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@wikimediacommunityusergrou7400 Link to our survey: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1EneNM-xS9qSdMfnSwxdoLav5NxuGa0DB54VM6EOd5zU/edit?usp=sharing

6. To what extent do you agree with the following statements regarding the work carried out with the support of this Fund? You can choose “not applicable” if your work does not relate to these goals.

Our efforts during the Fund period have helped to...
A. Bring in participants from underrepresented groups Strongly agree
B. Create a more inclusive and connected culture in our community Strongly agree
C. Develop content about underrepresented topics/groups Strongly agree
D. Develop content from underrepresented perspectives Strongly agree
E. Encourage the retention of editors Strongly agree
F. Encourage the retention of organizers Strongly agree
G. Increased participants' feelings of belonging and connection to the movement. Strongly agree

7. Is there anything else you would like to share about how your efforts helped to bring in participants and/or build out content, particularly for underrepresented groups?

Our efforts have significantly impacted bringing in participants and building content for underrepresented groups. Through initiatives like the "Adopt a School" program at Botho University and Limko University, we engaged many new editors. Additionally, our collaboration with Black Lunch Table (BLT) helped run gender gap-related projects, increasing content representation and diversity. Candy's role as a regional proxy for BLT further highlights our commitment to these causes, allowing us to reach broader audiences and contribute to underrepresented content areas.

Part 2: Your main learning

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8. In your application, you outlined your learning priorities. What did you learn about these areas during this period?

During this period, we focused on several learning priorities, including community engagement, content creation, and collaboration. We discovered the significance of maintaining consistent communication and setting clear goals for effective community involvement. Our work in creating more content, particularly in underrepresented areas such as Setswana and gender-related topics, highlighted the need for specialized training and resources.

In addition to working with Black Lunch Table, we collaborated with other Wikimedia communities and organizations. These partnerships provided diverse perspectives and enhanced our understanding of best practices in community building and content development. We also learned the importance of flexible project management to navigate challenges like delayed funding and logistical issues.

9. Did anything unexpected or surprising happen when implementing your activities?

High Levels of Engagement and Commitment: One of the most surprising outcomes was the high level of engagement and commitment from students. Despite the initial challenges of balancing academic responsibilities, many students showed exceptional dedication to contributing regularly and improving the quality of Setswana content on Wikipedia. Significant Improvement in Digital Literacy: The project led to a noticeable improvement in the digital literacy skills of participants. Students not only learned how to edit and create Wikipedia articles but also gained valuable skills in research, critical thinking, and effective communication. This was an unexpected yet highly positive outcome, indicating the broader educational impact of the initiative. Positive Reception from the Local Community: The local community's response to the increased Setswana content was overwhelmingly positive. This support extended beyond our initial expectations, demonstrating a strong community interest in preserving and promoting the Setswana language through digital platforms. Enhanced Sense of Community and Collaboration: The project fostered a strong sense of community among participants. The regular meetups, workshops, and collaborative activities created a supportive environment where students felt empowered to share knowledge and help each other grow. This sense of community was a delightful and unexpected benefit of the project.

10. How do you hope to use this learning? For instance, do you have any new priorities, ideas for activities, or goals for the future?

We had to change our planned project of profiling parliamentary members' images due to bureaucratic hurdles and the election year. By the time we hoped to run the project, there was a parliamentary recess, and members were campaigning around the country with other priorities. This required us to restrategize as a community and develop a new plan to conduct a new project the"Wikimedia Botswana Boot Camp" to sensitize, train, and get feedback from the community on the future of our user group. We have learnt the power of adapting to challenges: Our ability to pivot quickly in response to challenges, such as the late arrival of funds and the necessity to cancel the parliamentary profiling project, demonstrated adaptability. We turned these challenges into opportunities by organizing the bootcamp, which became a critical event for reflection and future planning.

11. If you were sitting with a friend to tell them one thing about your work during this fund, what would it be (think of inspiring or fascinating moments, tough challenges, interesting anecdotes, or anything that feels important to you)?

If I were talking to a friend, I’d share how proud I am of our achievements. Getting re-recognized as a Wikimedia user group was a huge milestone for us, allowing us to create valuable open-source knowledge in Setswana. Despite challenges like funding delays and project changes, we met our targets and adapted well. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see our community come together, especially after our bootcamp, where they’ve shown great appreciation and praise for our efforts. Their positive response has been truly inspiring.

12. Please share resources that would be useful to share with other Wikimedia organizations so that they can learn from, adapt or build upon your work. For instance, guides, training material, presentations, work processes, or any other material the team has created to document and transfer knowledge about your work and can be useful for others. Please share any specific resources that you are creating, adapting/contextualizing in ways that are unique to your context (i.e. training material).

  • Upload Documents and Files
  • Here is an additional field to type in URLs.
Wikimedia Botswana School Adoption results and best practices 2024: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Botswana_School_Adoption_results_and_best_practices_2024

Wikimedia Botswana Bootcamp diff: https://diff.wikimedia.org/?p=131519

Part 3: Metrics

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13a. Open and additional metrics data

Open Metrics
Open Metrics Description Target Results Comments Methodology
Participants Individuals who attend various community organised events 100 153 Our overall year dashboard hold a number of 153 participants see link here: https://outreachdashboard.wmflabs.org/courses/Wikimediabw/Wikimedia_Botswana_2023-2024 Dashboard
Editors Individuals who contribute to Wikimedia's projects :

WLW - (New editors 10 Old editors 5) Art & feminism -(New editors 10 Old editors 5) WLA -(New editors 20 Old editors 10) School Activation project (New editors 15 Old editors 5)

40 153 This year we have had a lot of new editors joining the community due to the school activation/adoption project s well as outreach project in Palapye BIUST and Francistown Library Dashboard: https://outreachdashboard.wmflabs.org/courses/Wikimediabw/Wikimedia_Botswana_2023-2024
Organisers Individuals that are engaged in and support community activities 5 11 From the Wikimedia Community User Group Botswana, we had at least seven competent organizers. Additionally, from the two adopted schools, we trained four individuals who are now capable of supporting peer-to-peer training. Seven organiser are long term editors and the Four have been top contributors from there schools and have been quite active on there community events. Project page and dashboard
' N/A 2 Wrote two diff blogposts:

Wikimedia Botswana Bootcamp; https://diff.wikimedia.org/?p=131519 Wikimedia Botswana usergroup: https://diff.wikimedia.org/2024/05/17/navigating-the-path-to-revival-lessons-from-rebuilding-the-wikimedia-community-user-group-in-botswana/

N/A
' N/A N/A N/A N/A
Additional Metrics
Additional Metrics Description Target Results Comments Methodology
Number of editors that continue to participate/retained after activities Dashboard 20 29 We have 29 retained editors Dashboard https://outreachdashboard.wmflabs.org/courses/Wikimediabw/Wikimedia_Botswana_2023-2024
Number of organizers that continue to participate/retained after activities 5 7 We have 7 long term committed editors that support across different projects Dashboard and Project page
Number of strategic partnerships that contribute to longer term growth, diversity and sustainability We plan to work with 2 more Universities apart from the University of Botswana 2 2 We adopted two universities Botho University and Limkokwing University dashboard
Feedback from participants on effective strategies for attracting and retaining contributors Use of Google forms we have participants help us strategize and give use feedback to improve. 20 20 We had a strategy bootcamp where were hosted 20 participants, 10 speakers and 3 staff organisers Project page; https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Botswana_Strategy_BootCamp_2024
Diversity of participants brought in by grantees We have at least 20 active women editors 25 90 We have a at least 90 new editors whom identify as women Dashboard
Number of people reached through social media publications Facebook stats on adverts 1000 15121 Our highest Ad reach is 15121 on Meta https://www.facebook.com/ActivatingBotswana/ad_center/?section=all_promotions Meta dashboard: https://www.facebook.com/ActivatingBotswana/ad_center/?section=all_promotions
Number of activities developed With progress of hosting our events we hope recruits at least 20 active newbies 20 50 Out of the 124 newbies we hope to retain atleast 50 newbies going forward. Dashboard
Number of volunteer hours Part time for all the community staff 3 4 We managed to have the following roles in our community;

Program coordinator project facilitator Community outreach facilitator Accountant

N/A

13b. Additional core metrics data.

Core Metrics Summary
Core metrics Description Target Results Comments Methodology
Number of participants New participant: 75

Returning participant: 25

100 153 124 new editors

29 Returning editors

dashboard: https://outreachdashboard.wmflabs.org/courses/Wikimediabw/Wikimedia_Botswana_2023-2024
Number of editors We measure active editors through our dashboard and xtool hence we aim to have 40 active editors this year 40 124 124 new editors

29 returning editors

Dashboard: https://outreachdashboard.wmflabs.org/courses/Wikimediabw/Wikimedia_Botswana_2023-2024
Number of organizers 5 organiser this is determined according to how active and and editor is when organising events and skills they show within the community that they would like to offer to help in building our community. 5 7 These a long therm editors from our community and they usually support in training especially when we have a large number of participants to train Usually mention them on our community project pages https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Community_User_Group_Botswana
Number of new content contributions per Wikimedia project
Wikimedia Project Description Target Results Comments Methodology
Wikipedia Create and Improve articles in Setswana (lImprove 250 Articles and Create 250 articles).

This will be under the Setswana Wikipedia Contest and the School club activation project. (dashboard will be used here)

500 649 Setswana Wikipedia we had 649 newly created articles in Setswana

677 Improved Articles

Dashboard https://outreachdashboard.wmflabs.org/courses/Wikimediabw/Wikimedia_Botswana_2023-2024
Wikimedia Commons Add at least 400 images for Wiki Loves Africa project and 50 Images for the prominent figures in Botswana photography project. (Montage will be use here to judge best images) 450 222 The community faced challenges in obtaining consent to photograph individuals engaged in creative work aligned with the theme. This difficulty contributed to the lower-than-expected outcome of the results. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Images_from_Wiki_Loves_Africa_2024_in_Botswana Montage and Photography judges
Wikiquote Create 75 New articles and Improve 75 Articles, on the #SheSaid Campaign (dashboard will be used here) 150 449 Great contributions on Wikiqoute as stats are 449 Created Articles

458 Improved articles

Dashboard; https://outreachdashboard.wmflabs.org/courses/Wikimediabw/Wiki_Loves_Women_2023
Wikidata Improve 50 articles and create 100 articles (dashboard will be used here) N/A 788 788 Items created

1611 Improved Wikidata Items

Dashboard https://outreachdashboard.wmflabs.org/courses/Wikimediabw/Wikimedia_Botswana_2023-2024
N/A N/A N/A 578 English Wikipedia

31 New Articles 546 Improved Articles

Dashboard https://outreachdashboard.wmflabs.org/courses/Wikimediabw/Wikimedia_Botswana_2023-2024

14. Were there any metrics in your proposal that you could not collect or that you had to change?

No

15. If you have any difficulties collecting data to measure your results, please describe and add any recommendations on how to address them in the future.

n/a

16. Use this space to link or upload any additional documents that would be useful to understand your data collection (e.g., dashboards, surveys you have carried out, communications material, training material, etc).

  • Upload Documents and Files
  • Here is an additional field to type in URLs.
Here is a survey we shared with the community to get feedback: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1EneNM-xS9qSdMfnSwxdoLav5NxuGa0DB54VM6EOd5zU/edit?usp=sharing

Youtube channel for How to videos training materials: https://www.youtube.com/@wikimediacommunityusergrou7400 Project page: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Programs/Wikimedia_Community_Fund/Wiki_in_Africa_Multi-Year_General_Support_2023-25/Yearly_Report_(2023)

Part 4: Organizational capacities & partnerships

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17. Organizational Capacity

Organizational capacity dimension
A. Financial capacity and management This has grown over the last year, the capacity is high
B. Conflict management or transformation This has grown over the last year, the capacity is high
C. Leadership (i.e growing in potential leaders, leadership that fit organizational needs and values) This has grown over the last year, the capacity is high
D. Partnership building This capacity has grown but it should be further developed
E. Strategic planning This has grown over the last year, the capacity is high
F. Program design, implementation, and management This has grown over the last year, the capacity is high
G. Scoping and testing new approaches, innovation This has grown over the last year, the capacity is high
H. Recruiting new contributors (volunteer) This has grown over the last year, the capacity is high
I. Support and growth path for different types of contributors (volunteers) This has grown over the last year, the capacity is high
J. Governance This capacity has grown but it should be further developed
K. Communications, marketing, and social media This has grown over the last year, the capacity is high
L. Staffing - hiring, monitoring, supporting in the areas needed for program implementation and sustainability This has grown over the last year, the capacity is high
M. On-wiki technical skills This capacity has grown but it should be further developed
N. Accessing and using data This has grown over the last year, the capacity is high
O. Evaluating and learning from our work This has grown over the last year, the capacity is high
P. Communicating and sharing what we learn with our peers and other stakeholders This has grown over the last year, the capacity is high
N/A
N/A

17a. Which of the following factors most helped you to build capacities? Please pick a MAXIMUM of the three most relevant factors.

Formal training provided by the Wikimedia Foundation, Formal training provided by a Wikimedia Movement organizing group (i.e., Affiliates, Grantees, Regional or Thematic Hub, etc.), Formal training provided from outside the Wikimedia Movement, Peer to peer learning with other community members in conferences/events, Using capacity building/training resources onlinee from sources OUTSIDE the Wikimedia Movement, Using capacity building/training resources online from sources WITHIN the Wikimedia Movement

17b. Which of the following factors hindered your ability to build capacities? Please pick a MAXIMUM of the three most relevant factors.

Lack of staff time to participate in capacity building/training, Lack of volunteer time to participate in capacity building/training, Barriers to access training because of connectivity or equipment

18. Is there anything else you would like to share about how your organizational capacity has grown, and areas where you require support?

We’ve built a larger network of skilled organizers and trained people who can lead and support peer-to-peer training. Our ability to create content has also improved, as shown by the significant increase in Setswana articles and our active participation in global events. Our capacity-building workshops have helped our team develop leadership skills and become more involved with the Wikimedia movement. We’ve also expanded our reach through partnerships with local schools and by developing a strong network of editors. However, we need continued support to address community feedback and manage funding challenges, especially since we were not considered for the next general fund. As a newly re recognised user group, mid-year feedback from WMF would help us stay engaged and effective.

19. Partnerships over the funding period.

Over the fund period...
A. We built strategic partnerships with other institutions or groups that will help us grow in the medium term (3 year time frame) Strongly agree
B. The partnerships we built with other institutions or groups helped to bring in more contributors from underrepresented groups Strongly agree
C. The partnerships we built with other institutions or groups helped to build out more content on underrepresented topics/groups Strongly agree

19a. Which of the following factors most helped you to build partnerships? Please pick a MAXIMUM of the three most relevant factors.

Staff hired through the fund, Partners proactive interest, Volunteers from our communities

19b. Which of the following factors hindered your ability to build partnerships? Please pick a MAXIMUM of the three most relevant factors.

Local policies or other legal factors, Lack of knowledge or capacities to reach out to strategic partners, Difficulties specific to our context that hindered partnerships

20. Please share your learning about strategies to build partnerships with other institutions and groups and any other learning about working with partners?

Establishing clear communication channels and aligning on shared goals are crucial. This ensures that all parties understand their roles and responsibilities, leading to more effective collaboration.We found that being flexible and adaptable in our approach helped us navigate challenges, such as scheduling conflicts or changes in project scope. Highlighting the mutual benefits and value of the partnership helped us attract and retain partners. Demonstrating how the collaboration could benefit both parties encouraged more enthusiastic participation. Maintaining regular engagement with partners, whether through meetings, updates, or social media interactions, kept everyone informed and invested in the project's success

Part 5: Sense of belonging and collaboration

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21. What would it mean for your organization to feel a sense of belonging to the Wikimedia or free knowledge movement?

Feeling a sense of belonging to the Wikimedia or free knowledge movement would mean a lot for our organization. It would validate our hard work and show that our efforts are recognized and valued within the global community. This recognition would motivate our team and participants, driving us to keep pushing forward in promoting free knowledge and open education. Being part of this movement would also connect us with a supportive network of like-minded individuals and organizations, offering valuable advice and resources. It would enhance our ability to share ideas and best practices, making our projects more effective. Additionally, it would help us reach a broader audience, expanding our impact and engaging more people, especially in areas and languages that are often underrepresented.

22. How has your (for individual grantees) or your group/organization’s (for organizational grantees) sense of belonging to the Wikimedia or free knowledge movement changed over the fund period?

Increased significantly

23. If you would like to, please share why it has changed in this way.

Our increased sense of belonging to the Wikimedia or free knowledge movement is marked by several key achievements. Our re-recognition as a Wikimedia user group validates our efforts and integrates us further into the global community. We have significantly grown our content, notably with over 647 new Setswana articles, and have met most of our targets. Our visibility was enhanced through global conferences like Wiki Women Camp and the Wiki Student Summit, where we networked and shared experiences. Expansion through school partnerships and the development of exceptional editors have strengthened our community. We’ve also empowered our members through leadership workshops and boot camps.

24. How has your group/organization’s sense of personal investment in the Wikimedia or free knowledge movement changed over the fund period?

Somewhat increased

25. If you would like to, please share why it has changed in this way.

Our group's sense of personal investment in the Wikimedia and free knowledge movement has grown significantly over the fund period. Engaging in various projects, like the WLW Focus Group which Oteng is a part of and BLT initiatives, has deepened our commitment to addressing content gaps and promoting inclusivity. These experiences have enriched our understanding and reinforced our dedication to creating a more equitable and diverse online knowledge community. The opportunity to learn and collaborate with other passionate individuals has further solidified our role and inspired us to continue contributing meaningfully to the movement.

26. Are there other movements besides the Wikimedia or free knowledge movement that play a central role in your motivation to contribute to Wikimedia projects? (for example, Black Lives Matter, Feminist movement, Climate Justice, or other activism spaces) If so, please describe it below.

Besides the Wikimedia projects, Candy is an active member of the Feminist group called FEMNET, where she has spoken on topics such as climate change. Additionally, Mothusi is involved with the Global Shapers Gaborone hub and has delivered a youth budget speech. These experiences in feminist and youth advocacy spaces enrich our perspectives and drive us to address diverse issues within the Wikimedia projects.

Supporting Peer Learning and Collaboration

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We are interested in better supporting peer learning and collaboration in the movement.

27. Have you shared these results with Wikimedia affiliates or community members?

Yes

27a. Please describe how you have already shared them. Would you like to do more sharing, and if so how?

We have already shared our learnings and experiences through various platforms, including social media, blog posts, and community meetings. For instance, we've discussed our activities and achievements on our Facebook page and in internal reports. We also plan to present these insights at future conferences and workshops, aiming to reach a broader audience. Link here: https://www.facebook.com/ActivatingBotswana/

As well as our community project page: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Community_User_Group_Botswana

28. How often do you currently share what you have learned with other Wikimedia Foundation grantees, and learn from them?

We do this regularly (at least once a month)

29. How does your organization currently share mutual learning with other grantees?

On a regular basis, we use our platforms to share lessons, resources, and opportunities to the WM Community: Our community WhatsApp group Facebook page, Instagram DIFF Wikimedia conferences Youtube Bootcamp Trainings

Part 6: Financial reporting and compliance

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30. Please state the total amount spent in your local currency.

428078.95

31. Local currency type

BWP

32. Please report the funds received and spending in the currency of your fund.

  • Upload Documents, Templates, and Files.
  • Report funds received and spent, if template not used.
Here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LBezHxdt--Z6oS8xusIS1xOIMcCs1UnP3xUcLIEPhXU/edit?usp=sharing

33. If you have not already done so in your budget report, please provide information on changes in the budget in relation to your original proposal.

Wikimania 2023 Sponsorship: We sponsored one staff member to attend Wikimania 2023. This decision was made to enhance our team's skills and knowledge, which will benefit our project through improved strategies and networking opportunities. The cost for this sponsorship was reallocated from the budget originally set aside for contingency purposes.

Due to delays in obtaining approval for the Parliament project, we opted to conduct a 2-day strategy bootcamp workshop with the community. This adjustment allowed us to continue engaging with other communities effectively and provided immediate value.Funds previously allocated to the Parliament project were redirected to support this bootcamp workshop.

34. Do you have any unspent funds from the Fund?


34a. Please list the amount and currency you did not use and explain why.

The unspent funds of BWP 41,538.69 resulted from several unforeseen challenges. These included delays in obtaining school approvals, school exam clashing schedules, and the late arrival of grant money. Additionally, delays with a related parliamentary project further impacted our timeline. As a result, we couldn't complete the planned 10 training sessions per school.

34b. What are you planning to do with the underspent funds?

B. Propose to use them to partially or fully fund a new/future grant request with PO approval

34c. Please provide details of hope to spend these funds.

We hope to use the remaining funds to plan a budget and sponsor our community members to attend Wiki Indaba. This event will provide valuable learning and networking opportunities, enabling our team to gain new insights and strengthen our community's engagement with the Wikimedia movement.

35. Are you in compliance with the terms outlined in the fund agreement?


As required in the fund agreement, please report any deviations from your fund proposal here. Note that, among other things, any changes must be consistent with our WMF mission, must be for charitable purposes as defined in the grant agreement, and must otherwise comply with the grant agreement.

36. Are you in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations as outlined in the grant agreement?

Yes

37. Are you in compliance with provisions of the United States Internal Revenue Code (“Code”), and with relevant tax laws and regulations restricting the use of the Funds as outlined in the grant agreement? In summary, this is to confirm that the funds were used in alignment with the WMF mission and for charitable/nonprofit/educational purposes.

Yes

38. If you have additional recommendations or reflections that don’t fit into the above sections, please write them here.

n/a