Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/General Support Fund/Wikimedia Armenia GSF 2026-2029

statusUnder review

Wikimedia Community Fund

Wikimedia Armenia GSF 2026-2029

Fluxx IDR-GS-2602-21933

proposed start date2026-07-01

proposed end date2029-06-30

amount requested (local currency)211359804 AMD

amount requested (USD)549535.49 USD ^{[note 1]}

grant typeWikimedia Affiliate (chapter, thematic org., or user group)

funding regionCEECA

decision fiscal year2025-26

funding program roundRound 2

applicant and people related to proposal[[User:|]] ([[User talk:|talk]] • accounts • contributions • edit count)

organization (if applicable)Wikimedia Armenia

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This is an automatically generated Meta-Wiki page. The page was copied from Fluxx, the web service of Wikimedia Foundation Funds, where the user has submitted their application. 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.

Applicant information

Organization name or Wikimedia Username for individuals. (required): Wikimedia Armenia

Do you have any approved General Support Fund requests? (required): Yes, I have already applied and received a General Support Fund

You are applying as a(n). (required): Wikimedia Affiliate (chapter, thematic org., or user group)

Are your group or organization legally registered in your country? (required): Yes

Do you have a fiscal sponsor?: No

Fiscal organization name.: N/A

Please provide links to the following documents if they are available

These documentation can be provided in your local language(s), no translations required.

Organizational website
Detailed financial reporting and/or audits
Documentation of the governance structure, board list, governance processes
Documentation of the general assembly decision on your plan

1. Meta-page in English - https://meta.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikimedia_Armenia

2. Website in Armenian - https://am.wikimedia.org/wiki/%D5%8E%D5%AB%D6%84%D5%AB%D5%B4%D5%A5%D5%A4%D5%AB%D5%A1_%D5%80%D5%A1%D5%B5%D5%A1%D5%BD%D5%BF%D5%A1%D5%B6 3. Financial reporting for previous GSF 2024-2026 - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Uqt_T75bSuotKEeTs-u76unZPocCfAAFG1MuyNrmUYQ/edit?gid=1438779251#gid=1438779251 4. Detailed financial reporting for 2025 - https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Armenia/Financial_report/2025 5. Charter - https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Armenia/Bylaw 6. Board - https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Armenia/Board 7. Board decision on Strategic plan and Annual plan (in Armenian) - https://am.wikimedia.org/wiki/19.02.2026

Main proposal

1. Please state the title of your proposal. This will also be a title for the Meta-Wiki page. (required): Wikimedia Armenia GSF 2026-2029

2. Do you want to apply for the multi-year base funding for 3 years? (required) (only for returning applicants): Yes

2.1. Provide a brief overview of Year 2 and Year 3 of the proposed plan and how this relates to the current proposal and your strategic plan? (required)

Year 2 and Year 3 will represent a structured continuation and scaling of the priorities established in Year 1, fully aligned with our Strategic Plan 2026–2029. We will maintain the core programmatic pillars and focus on strengthening quality, expanding reach, and ensuring sustainability introduced in the first year.

In Years 2 and 3, we will continue implementing our key educational and community-based programs, including WikiClubs, WikiCamps, university internships, and thematic edit-a-thons. However, the emphasis will gradually shift from implementation to consolidation and impact enhancement. For example, we will focus on improving content quality through expert-centered approaches, expanding regional engagement through additional WikiClubs where feasible, and deepening cooperation with educational institutions.

Community growth and sustainability will remain central. Regular community meet-ups, discussions, mentorship structures, and leadership opportunities will ensure that volunteers are not only participants but also co-creators and organizers of initiatives. Over time, we expect increased community ownership of projects and greater peer-led activity.

International engagement will also continue as an important priority. In Years 2 and 3, we will further strengthen participation in global Wikimedia initiatives, contribute local best practices to regional discussions, and collaborate more actively with other affiliates. In line with our strategic priority of financial diversification, we will continue working toward securing long-term partnerships and alternative funding sources to ensure organizational sustainability and reduce reliance on a single funding stream.

Overall, Year 2 and Year 3 build directly upon the foundation established in Year 1 while advancing the broader objectives of the 2026–2029 Strategic Plan of Wikimedia Armenia. The three-year framework is therefore cohesive, progressive, and strategically aligned.

3. Proposed start date. (required): 2026-07-01

4. Proposed end date. (required): 2029-06-30

5. Does your organization or group have an Affiliate or Organizational Annual Plan that can help us understand your proposal? If yes, please provide it. (required): Yes; https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Armenia/Plans_for_2026

https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Armenia/Plans_for_2027

6. Does your affiliate, organization or group have a Strategic Plan that can help us understand your proposal? If yes, please provide it. (required)

Yes

https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Armenia/Strategic_Plan_(2026-2029)

Strategic Plan 2026-2029.pdf

7. Where will this proposal be implemented? (required): Armenia

8. What are your programs, approaches, and strategies? What are the challenges that you are trying to address and how will your strategies support you in addressing these challenges? (required)

Our programs, approaches, and strategies are guided by the Strategic Plan 2026–2029 and are built around education, quality content, community growth, partnerships, youth empowerment, international engagement, and diversification of financial sources. While we will continue implementing many of the same core programs - such as WikiClubs, WikiCamps, university internships, thematic edit-a-thons, and community meet-ups - the strategic focus has slightly shifted.

The main backbone of this strategy is retention and sustainability. In previous years, expansion and quantitative growth were key areas. For the coming period, the emphasis moves toward strengthening what we have built: retaining active contributors, deepening engagement, and ensuring long-term commitment.

One of the key challenges we address is editor retention. Many newcomers participate in one activity but do not remain active contributors after several months. To respond to this, we will put stronger emphasis on mentorship, community belonging, and gradual leadership opportunities (trainers, mentors, event organizers, etc.). By creating welcoming spaces, we aim to transform participants into long-term community members.

Another challenge is the balance between quantity and quality of content. While numerical growth remains important, our priority is increasingly focused on improving the reliability and depth of articles. Through expert-centered approaches, thematic focus areas, and collaboration with area specific professionals, we aim to produce more accurate and well-sourced content rather than simply increasing the number of articles.

Partnerships are a strategic tool for addressing both quality and sustainability challenges. By collaborating with universities, cultural institutions, civil society organizations, private sector actors, and other Wikimedia affiliates, we gain access to expertise, new audiences, and diversified financial support. These partnerships strengthen credibility, expand outreach, and contribute to the Wikimedia movement’s long-term stability in Armenia.

Youth engagement is another core strategic response. A key challenge for any volunteer movement is generational continuity. By giving young contributors more space in planning, decision-making, and project leadership, we invest in the future of the movement. Through WikiClubs, WikiCamps, internships, and peer-learning environments, we prepare the next generation not only to participate, but to take responsibility and shape the direction of the movement.

Our new strategy does not radically change our programs, it refines their purpose.

9. What categories are your main programs and related activities under? Please select all that apply. (required)


Category	Yes/No
Education	Yes
Culture, heritage or GLAM	Yes
Gender and diversity	No
Community support and engagement	Yes
Participation in campaigns and contests	Yes
Public policy advocacy	No
Technology (software development)	No
Other	No

Education

9.1.1. Select all your programs and activities for Education. (required): Wiki Club, Wiki Camp, Editing Wikipedia Training, Wikidata programs, Wikimedia Commons programs; Other programs and activities if any: N/A
9.1.2. Select all relevant audience groups for Education. (required): Secondary school students, Vocational, tertiary, or higher education, Teachers or professors; Other groups if any: N/A

Culture, heritage or GLAM

9.2. Select all your programs and activities for Culture, heritage or GLAM. (required): Supporting institutions to open up their collections, data, metadata, and research, Supporting GLAM professionals to incorporate use of Wikimedia in their work, through documentation, training, or Wikimedian in Residence programs; Other programs and activities if any: N/A

Community support and engagement

9.4. Select all your programs and activities for Community support and engagement.: On-wiki training of community members, Organizing meetups, conferences, and community events, Supporting community members' participation in events and conferences, Offering non financial support and services to community members (equipment, space, books, etc.); Other programs and activities if any: N/A

Participation in campaigns and contests

9.5. Select all campaigns that apply. (required)

CEE Spring, Wiki Loves Earth, Wiki Loves Monuments, Wikipedia Pages Wanting Photos, Wikipedia Birthday or Anniversary

Other programs and activities if any: N/A

10. Please include a link to or upload a timeline (operational calendar) for your programs and activities. (required)

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1I8Psz8z3-O3NyOqEPOSwdFj8-QyvHBOI/edit?gid=975303025#gid=975303025

Timeline 2026-2027.pdf.pdf

11. Describe your team. (required)

Arshak Shahenyan (user:M.D. Shahinyan) - President (Full-time): As per the Charter, ensures the implementation of the decisions of the Assembly, as well as the mission and goals of WMAM, manages and directs the organization's assets of any type and size, approves the internal documents regulating the activities of the organization, manages the current activities of the organization.

Mher Bekaryan (user:Beko) - Quality Program Coordinator (Full-time): Develops and implements strategies to improve the quality of content on Wikimedia projects, trains and supports editors in improving the quality of their contributions, oversees processes for reviewing and verifying content contributions, works on projects that will increase the quality of Wikipedia and sister projects.

Davit Sargsyan (user:Dav Sargsyan) - Events Manager (Full-time): Planning, organizing, and executing various events and activities to support the mission of the organization, handling the logistical aspects of event planning, developing event agendas, schedules, and programming that are engaging, informative, and relevant to the target audience, collecting feedback from participants and stakeholders to evaluate the success of events and identify areas for improvement, engaging with potential sponsors, partners, and collaborators to maximize participation and support for events.

Artashes Tadevosyan (user:23artashes) - Education and Community Program Coordinator (Full-time): Developing educational programs, supervising the work with educational institutions, engaging communities and promoting inclusion, closely working and supporting the Wikiclubs, evaluating and reporting on educational and community programs.

Haykuhi Melkonyan (user:Հակուլիկ) - Communication and Social Media Coordinator (Contractor): Developing social media strategy, developing engaging content on WMAM’s social media pages (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube), assisting in creation and editing of written, video, and photo content, supporting the expansion ofthe Wikimedia community through social media tools.

Mari Avetisyan (user:Մարի Ավետիսյան)- Grants Consultant (Contractor): researching potential grant opportunities, writing grant proposals, overseeing grant agreement compliance, preparing and submitting progress reports, and annual impact reports.

Short-term contractors for Wikicamps - 4 contractors for each Wikicamp: During Wikicamps, these contractors help the organizing team with coordinating the participants and guiding them. One of the contractors is a doctor, a role that is required for all our camps.

“T ACCOUNT” LLC - Accounting (Outsource)

Many volunteers help us before, during, and after our activities, engaging in both planning and implementation of programs and activities.

Volunteers for WikiCamps and thematic gatherings - on average, 25 volunteers; this number includes experienced trainers who train newcomers before WikiCamps and thematic gatherings, group leaders for each group during Wikicamps, and wiki assistants who support each group during Wikicamps

12. Will you be working with any internal (Wikimedia) or external partners? Describe the characteristics of these partnerships and bring a few examples of the most significant partnerships. (required)

We work with a wide range of external partner organizations across academia, cultural institutions, civil society, public institutions, and the private sector. These partnerships are strategic, mission-aligned, and mutually beneficial, enabling us to expand our educational programs, improve content quality, strengthen community engagement, and ensure financial sustainability for certain projects.

Some collaborations are long-term and institutionalized, such as university internship programs, WikiClub support, office and internet provided free of charge. While others are project-based and thematic, focusing on specific campaigns, expert involvement, or awareness initiatives. The full list of our partners and the characteristics of our partnership is summarized here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tzMFQ2TfRtj-KHK-yzwbXzUs2bsS-lBiOS38ym1B444/edit?gid=0#gid=0

In addition, we actively collaborate with other Wikimedia affiliates and user groups on regional and cross-border initiatives. Our cooperation goes beyond joint edit-a-thons and includes knowledge exchange, shared campaigns, and logistical support. For example, we have worked with the Iranian Wikimedians User Group on joint initiatives and hosted their community event in our office space in Yerevan. Similarly, the CEE Youth Group held its annual meeting in Yerevan, during which we provided our office facilities and technical support. We are also planning further collaboration with Wikimedia Italy in the second half of 2026, hosting Italian Wikimedians in our Youth WikiCamp and holding an Italian-Armenian edit-a-thon.

13. In what ways do you think your proposal most contributes to the Movement Strategy 2030 recommendations. Select all that apply. (required): Increase the Sustainability of Our Movement, Provide for Safety and Inclusion, Ensure Equity in Decision-making, Coordinate Across Stakeholders, Invest in Skills and Leadership Development, Manage Internal Knowledge, Identify Topics for Impact

Metrics

Wikimedia Metrics

14. Please select and fill out Wikimedia Metrics for your proposal. (recommended)

14.1. Number of participants, editors, and organizers.

All metrics provided are optional, please fill them out if they are aligned with your programs and activities.

Participants, editors, and organizers
Metrics name	Target	Description
Number of all participants	1150	N/A
Number of all editors	1000	N/A
Number of new editors	500
Number of retained editors	350
Number of all organizers	50	N/A
Number of new organizers	15	N/A

14.2. Number of new content contributions to Wikimedia projects. (recommended)

Contributions to Wikimedia projects
Wikimedia project	Created	Edited or improved
Wikipedia	11000	2000
Wikimedia Commons	10000
Wikidata	500	10000
Wiktionary
Wikisource
Wikimedia Incubator
Translatewiki
MediaWiki
Wikiquote
Wikivoyage
Wikibooks
Wikiversity
Wikinews
Wikispecies
Wikifunctions / Abstract Wikipedia

Description for Wikimedia projects contributions metrics. (optional)

Other Metrics

15. Do you have other quantitative and qualitative targets for your project (other metrics)? (required): Yes


Other Metrics	Description	Target
Retained partnerships	This metric measures the number of partner organizations with which we maintain active, continuous collaboration over multiple years. Many of our partner institutions have been supporting Wikimedia Armenia for an extended period through recurring joint activities, institutional cooperation, financial or in-kind support, or programmatic engagement. By tracking retained partnerships, we aim to assess the sustainability and stability of these long-term relationships. The focus is not only on initiating new collaborations, but also on strengthening and maintaining existing ones, ensuring that partnerships evolve into durable, trust-based cooperation frameworks. Measuring this indicator helps us evaluate institutional credibility, partner commitment, and the long-term sustainability of our programs and strategic priorities.	10
Number of new young trainers	This metric measures the number of young contributors who transition from the role of editor to the role of trainer or facilitator. In line with our Strategic Plan 2026–2029, we aim to engage the younger generation in more responsible and leadership-oriented roles by providing mentorship and training opportunities. This indicator reflects youth empowerment, leadership development, and the long-term sustainability of our community.	3
Expert-checked articles	This metric measures the number of articles created or significantly improved during edit-a-thons that are reviewed and verified by area-specific professionals and experts. In line with our strategic shift toward prioritizing quality over quantity, we aim to ensure higher standards of accuracy, reliability, and sourcing.	500
N/A	N/A	N/A
N/A	N/A	N/A

Budget

16. Will you have any other revenue sources when implementing this proposal (e.g. other funding, membership contributions, donations)? (required): Yes

16.1. List other revenue sources. (required)

1. “VEGA” Company 2. "VAGA PHARM" Co.Ltd 3. "ARNDANE" LLC 4. Central Bank of Armenia 5. Internet Society 6. Friedrich Naumann Foundation 7. Zangezur Copper and Molybdenum Combine 8. Think -Tank Armenia

16.2. Approximately how much revenue will you have from other sources in your local currency? (required): 28080000

17. Your local currency. (required): AMD

18. What is the total requested amount in your local currency? (required): 211359804 AMD

Multi-year funding request summary
Year	Amount (local currency)
Year 1	70453268 AMD
Year 2	70453268 AMD
Year 3	70453268 AMD

Requested amount in USD: 549535.49 USD ^{[note 1]}

Multi-year funding request summary in USD
Year	Amount USD ^{[note 1]}
Year 1	N/A USD
Year 2	N/A USD
Year 3	N/A USD

↑ ^a ^b ^c The following amount in US dollars was calculated by Wikimedia Foundation staff using the fixed currency rates. This amount is approximate and may not reflect the actual currency exchange rates on the day of submission or distribution. If the application is funded, the funding will be sent in the recipient’s local currency.

19. Does this proposal include compensation for staff or contractors? (required): Yes

19.1. How many paid staff members do you plan to have? (required)

Include the number of staff and contractors during the proposal period. If you have short-term contractors or staff, please include them separately and mention their terms.

For each year, 6 paid staff members and contractors, and 11 short-term contractors (4-10 days).

19.2. How many FTEs (full-time equivalents) in total? (required)

Include the total FTE of staff and contractors during the proposal period. If you have short-term contractors or staff, please include their FTEs with the terms separately.

Staff, contractors - 4.5 FTE short-term contractors - 10.5 FTE (4-10 days)․

19.3. Describe any staff or contractor changes compared to the current year / ongoing General Support Fund if any. (required only for returning grantees): There are no changes in the staff compared to Wikimedia Armenia's 2024-2026 General Support Fund.

20. Please provide an overview of your overall budget categories in your local currency. The budget breakdown should include only the amount requested with this General Support Fund (required).


Budget category	Amount in local currency
Staff and contractor costs	38543268 AMD
Operational costs	7920000 AMD
Programmatic costs	23990000 AMD

21. Please upload your budget for this proposal or indicate the link to it. (required)

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1bBcj_5Bdq3Kou3lQQZ1-dfso7q2PhRPZQefcJJ_31pM/edit?gid=0#gid=0

Budget_2026 H2-2027 H1.pdf

Additional information

22. In this optional space you can add any other additional information about your proposal or organization that you think can help us when reviewing your proposal. (optional)

WMAM external partners.pdf

By submitting your proposal/funding request you confirm that you have read and agree to the Application Privacy Statement, WMF Friendly Space Policy, and the Universal Code of Conduct.

Yes

Feedback

Please add any feedback to the grant discussion page only. Any feedback added here will be removed.

[fixedrate-1] The following amount in US dollars was calculated by Wikimedia Foundation staff using the fixed currency rates. This amount is approximate and may not reflect the actual currency exchange rates on the day of submission or distribution. If the application is funded, the funding will be sent in the recipient’s local currency.

[note 1]