Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/General Support Fund/Wikimedia Australia 2025 - 2028

statusUnder review

Wikimedia Community Fund

Wikimedia Australia 2025 - 2028

Fluxx IDR-GS-2503-18516

start date2025-07-01

end date2028-06-30

budget (local currency)4601771 AUD

amount requested (USD)2345538.93 USD

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

funding regionESEAP

decision fiscal year2024-25

funding program roundRound 2

organization (if applicable)Wikimedia Australia Inc

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Applicant information

Organization name or Wikimedia Username for individuals. (required)

Wikimedia Australia Inc

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

Wikimedia Australia: https://wikimedia.org.au/

Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission: https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/436da1ed-39af-e811-a962-000d3ad24a0d/profile WMAU Governance structure and Board list: https://wikimedia.org.au/wiki/Governance WMAU Rules of Association (Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) for governance): https://wikimedia.org.au/wiki/Rules

Main proposal

1. Please state the title of your proposal. This will also be a title for the Meta-Wiki page. (required)

Wikimedia Australia 2025 - 2028

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 1 shifts the core of our program to a model that allows partners and members to determine what we do by increasing the funding and support available through Funds that are open to application. Commencement of major project with Terri Janke and Company to scope and develop an Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) and Indigenous Data Sovereignty (IDSov) Protocol for WMAU.

In Year 2, the focus is on consolidating key initiatives introduced in Year 1. This includes strengthening community engagement through a range of Funds, refining governance structures, and continuing the major project with Terri Janke and Company on the ICIP & IDSov Protocol and best practices for working with First Nations communities. Key efforts will centre on capacity building for staff, Board, and facilitators. We’ll host an exciting expanded national WikiCon conference with engaging national and international guest speakers, as well as bringing our learnings and developments to Wikimania and other fora to share our unique Australian context. We will grow our team with additional staff and we will increase support for digital resources. And we will keep improving our governance and operations as we increase our professionalism and effectiveness.

By Year 3, the emphasis shifts towards sustainability and long-term impact. This includes expanding partnerships, embedding policies into ongoing operations, and assessing the effectiveness and impact of funded partnerships and implemented initiatives. A new part-time role will be introduced in Year 3, a Partnerships Lead role, to manage the Funds and partnerships that have grown throughout the previous two years. The goal is to ensure that WMAU’s governance, outreach, and operational frameworks are well-integrated and positioned for continued growth. Strategic investments in leadership development, community-driven initiatives, and enhanced operational support will help solidify WMAU’s role as a key enabler of free knowledge in Australia, our region and globally.

3. Proposed start date. (required)

2025-07-01

4. Proposed end date. (required)

2028-06-30

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

WMAU Activity Plan 2025-2028

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Xe-VudEAAF-1yAsDGRBkE7Y5bWxQ-fWWh_F5wMUnVSo/edit?usp=sharing

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://docs.google.com/document/d/1v2omycY_eM8Ghh2-NkMc5p8ohfLbZNzQxuEGZyhvMz0/edit?usp=sharing

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

Australia

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)

Wikimedia Australia's 2025–2035 Strategic Plan consists of Four pillars. The first pillar, Grow Free Knowledge, focuses on engaging new contributors, strengthening partnerships, and advocating for and defending free knowledge. Through inclusive workshops, targeted training, and strategic partnerships with cultural institutions and other entities, we aim to expand participation in Wikimedia projects. An updated Marketing Communications Strategy and the 'Why Wiki' campaign will increase public awareness, while improved government relations efforts will help influence policies that support free knowledge. The Community Empowerment Fund will provide direct support to our members to support local contributors.

The key challenges we address include low awareness of Wikimedia projects, barriers to participation from diverse communities, the need for stronger institutional and government support for free knowledge and the need to improve our governance and operations to better support our work. Our strategies, such as refining training programs, expanding the Partner Projects Fund, establishing an Extension Fund for existing partnerships, and proactively monitoring legislative policy, will address these challenges by increasing community and partner engagement, broadening representation, and securing a more sustainable and impactful Wikimedia presence in Australia.

Pillar two, Striving for knowledge equity, aims to increase diversity and inclusion within the Wikimedia movement by prioritising initiatives that support underrepresented groups in ways that are led by and are meaningful to them. This includes refining the membership structure, developing a Content Development Strategy with an equity focus, and supporting diverse Australian Wikimedians in applying for support. We will create specific programs and promote training opportunities for regional communities and young people at various educational levels. Engagement with global Wikimedia groups and support for underrepresented Oceania nations will also be key strategies.

The challenges we address are the underrepresentation of diverse communities, limited access to Wikimedia opportunities in regional and remote areas, and barriers to global movement engagement for marginalised groups. Our strategies, such as targeted funding support, partnerships with educational and GLAM institutions, and promoting the Universal Code of Conduct, are designed to overcome these challenges through inclusion, facilitating international collaboration, and providing equitable access to resources and opportunities across all levels of the movement.

The third pillar, Build a Stronger Organisation, focuses on strengthening Wikimedia Australia's internal capacity through improved governance, financial management, and operational processes. Key strategies include training for Board members and staff on best practices, developing improved methodologies to evaluate and measure social impact, and creating an Environmental Policy. We also aim to diversify income streams to support our strategy, assist partners with external funding applications, and gather feedback through annual membership surveys to ensure alignment with our community's needs. Additionally, we'll stay engaged with the Wikimedia Foundation’s evolving strategies and actively participate in the ESEAP region.

The challenges we aim to address include improving our organisational processes, financial sustainability, and ongoing community engagement. Our strategies will help overcome these challenges by improving governance practices, diversifying funding, and actively seeking input from members to ensure that our activities are aligned with their needs. By staying connected with the global Wikimedia movement and refining our internal systems, we will build a stronger, more sustainable organisation.

The fourth and final pillar, Celebrate Our Community, aims to recognise and empower the Wikimedia Australia community by providing opportunities for development, engagement, and recognition. Strategies include continuing our work towards a certified facilitator program, expanding WikiCon the annual national conference with both local and international speakers, and supporting members to attend major international Wikimedia events. Regular mentoring, networking, and meet-up sessions will be held. Alongside the continuation of the Craig Franklin Award to recognise outstanding community achievement we want to develop new ways of recognising excellence and build pride in our membership. New initiatives like the Why Wiki campaign and the "Ideas & Insights" series will share success and further celebrate community contributions.

The challenges we are addressing include the need for more recognition and support for Australian contributors, building a sense of community, and increasing the visibility of Australian content on Wikimedia platforms. Our strategies will celebrate and strengthen the community by offering opportunities for networking, professional development, and recognition. By promoting the value of Wikimedia projects as tools for lifelong learning and encouraging participation through learning together and sharing insights, we aim to create an inclusive and thriving environment where community members feel supported and celebrated for their work. These strategies will empower our members and help drive the long-term success of our projects in Australia.

An overview of the Funds we will be establishing for our members, community, organisations and partners to access:

Partnerships & Projects Fund Partnerships & Projects are crucial to realising our vision that all Australian people can freely access, share, enjoy and contribute knowledge to Wikipedia and other Wikimedia free knowledge projects by 2035. This Fund provides financial and other support to new partners working with Wikimedia Australia to grow free knowledge by Australians and/or about Australia. It encourages new strategic collaborations and impactful projects that advance the reach, quality and accessibility of free knowledge.

Extension Fund New partners are important, but we also want to deepen relationships with our existing partners. This is where our Extension Fund comes in. It is designed to provide funding and support to build upon established success, explore new avenues for working together and foster stronger, more impactful partnerships for the advancement of free knowledge by Australians and/or about Australia.

Community Empowerment Fund Members are the core of the organisation. We want to better recognise, connect, support, care for, empower them so they can continue to actively participate in the creation, curation and sharing of free knowledge. This Fund makes available vital resources to fund what members need to lower barriers to participation, support them to keep contributing and to grow their engagement. Through this Fund, members tell us what they need to keep contributing.

Diversity and Representation Fund Our Diversity and Representation Fund provides is dedicated to actively fostering a more inclusive and equitable Wikimedia movement in Australia. This Fund provides crucial resources to support initiatives that increase the representation of diverse voices, perspectives and knowledges within our contributor base and across Wikimedia projects. Funded initiatives can be supported through this Fund only or to extend an initiative funded through another Fund.

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	Yes
Community support and engagement	Yes
Participation in campaigns and contests	Yes
Public policy advocacy	Yes
Other	Yes

Education

9.1.1. Select all your programs and activities for Education. (required)

Wiki Club, Editing Wikipedia Training

Other programs and activities if any: N/A

9.1.2. Select all relevant audience groups for Education. (required)

Vocational, tertiary, or higher education, Teachers or professors, Primary school students, Secondary school students, Senior citizens, Other groups

Other groups if any: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities, regional and remote communities, underrepresented communities

Culture, heritage or GLAM

9.2. Select all your programs and activities for Culture, heritage or GLAM. (required)

Introducing new approaches to underrepresented culture and heritage, e.g. decolonising or reparative work; oral and visual knowledge; outreach to communities of origin, indigenous and first nations self-determination, 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, Partnering with institutions, professional associations, and allied organizations to raise awareness of open culture, ethical sharing, and related issues, Documenting or incubating languages on Wikimedia projects, Other

Other programs and activities if any: Contributions of significant Australian knowledge

Gender and diversity

9.3. Select all your programs and activities for Gender and diversity.

Bringing in women and/or gender diverse participants and editors, Focusing on creating content about women and/or gender diverse groups, including biographies, intersectional topic areas and/or adding images, Focusing on creating content about marginalized (underrepresented) communities and their knowledge, Focusing on knowledge equity by bringing in contributors from underrepresented communities, Building organizer skills in women and diversity groups, Fomenting female leadership within the movement (either staff, members or boards), Sensitize and educate for gender perspective among Wikimedia projects stewards and editors, Other

Other programs and activities if any: Increasing culturally safe spaces, establishing culturally safe and culturally appropriate ways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities to contribute on their terms, empowering underrepresented communities to contribute on an equitable footing by providing support to establish parity

Community support and engagement

9.4. Select all your programs and activities for Community support and engagement.

On-wiki training of community members, Off-wiki training of community members, Organizing meetups, conferences, and community events, Supporting community members' participation in events and conferences, Offering micro-funding and other financial support to community members , 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)

1Lib1Ref, Art+Feminism, Wikipedia Asian Month, Wiki Loves Women, WikiForHumanRights, Wikipedia Pages Wanting Photos, Wikipedia Birthday or Anniversary

Other programs and activities if any: N/A

Public policy advocacy

9.6.1. What specific laws, or legislative topics, are you targeting with your advocacy plans? Please be as specific as possible. (required)

Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2025 Copyright Law Reform – Copyright Act 1968, with a focus on reform processes for orphaned works and copyright and AI Protection of Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) through stand-alone legislation (not yet law but in development) Combating Misinformation and Disinformation Bill (Proposed by the Australian Government) Regulation of Generative AI and broader Artificial Intelligence governance Internet governance, including platform accountability and content moderation laws Australian News Media Bargaining Code – addressing fair compensation for news publishers and the role of digital platforms in supporting public interest journalism Other State-based laws on an as-needed basis

9.6.2. What are the main methods and tactics via which you plan to advocate for this public policy change? Please be as specific as possible. (required)

We aim for direct government engagement with policymakers and government departments and have planned to establish a Government Relations and Public Policy staff role at WMAU. The role would start at part-time 0.2 FTE in 2025, but grow to be full-time by Year 3 in 2028. This role would work in partnership with the WMAU Executive Officer and Board to participate in consultative processes, respond to calls for submissions, provide briefings for government departments and key committees (eg, Attorney-General's Dept for copyright reform, and the e-Safety Commissioner for content moderation policies). The role would also provide expert analysis on how proposed laws would impact on open knowledge, and collaborate with like-minded allied organisations to submit joint policy recommendations (where appropriate). The role would participate in roundtables with MP's and government agencies to shape policy discussions before legislation is drafted. There is definite scope to develop the role over the three years and expand to include developing research partnerships with Universities, develop campaigns for public awareness, present at conferences and industry events, and especially to work collaboratively with Wiki editors on community-driven initiatives in Australia and across the ESEAP region. The role would liaise and collaborate with the WMF Global Advocacy Team and with policy efforts in ESEAP to amplify efforts.

9.6.3. Approximately, how much of the requested budget will you dedicate to public policy advocacy (local currency)?

221040

Other categories

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities

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

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aL3gEg6nXL55hBKk2kpxKClcFMm9AINh42_kzaUZGSI/edit?usp=sharing

• WMAU Activity Timeline for 2025-2026.pdf

11. Describe your team. (required)

Executive Officer job description: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WbM6wtdUPUWYVY2LZd1Y5A5GSc2PHDuQ/view?usp=sharing

Education and Projects Coordinator job description: https://docs.google.com/document/d/12BthLsjm5xmRRBw_nX3lUtebOQeh6OepfIo_RM5jd_4/edit?usp=sharing

Communications and Projects Coordinator job description: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vAu3uFWPUjjFnzLq1-TvEvt8JaSJ0414jzWtuUOyvaU/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.bsrqfy4zjcbn

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)

Internal Partners (Wikimedia-related): ESEAP Hub and Preparatory Council – for regional collaboration on governance, advocacy, and knowledge-sharing. Wikimedia Aotearoa New Zealand - range of projects, mentorship, learning workshops and conferences Let’s Connect - mentorship, learning workshops Executive Directors group (Belinda) Art + Feminism - for Equity and Gender projects and events Wikimedia Foundation Legal Team / Global Advocacy Team – for policy and advocacy support on Australian legislation (e.g., copyright, misinformation, ICIP). Particularly Rachel Irini Judhistari in ESEAP region. Wikimedia Indonesia, Wikimedia Philippines, and other ESEAP affiliates Whose Knowledge? – for expertise on knowledge equity, particularly for First Nations and Indigenous communities representation on Wikimedia platforms. Wikimedia Research Team – to support data-driven advocacy on misinformation, AI, and Indigenous knowledge representation. WikiCred / Credibility Coalition – potential alignment on countering misinformation and improving credibility on Wikimedia projects.

External Partners: Australian Museums and Galleries Association - discussions underway with Australia's peak body for the museums and galleries sector for training, workshops and potential joint mini-conference event. Australian Libraries and Archives Copyright Coalition (ALACC) – relevant to copyright reform and orphaned works. Australian Digital Alliance - copyright in the public interest advocacy (with a particular focus on protecting the public domain and reforming orphan works) First Nations Media Australia – aligns with ICIP, Indigenous representation, and media policy discussions. Australian Digital Inclusion Alliance (ADIA) – relevant to access, equity, and internet governance. Australian Research Council (ARC) Centres of Excellence – potential academic partnerships, particularly around AI, misinformation, and digital rights. Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) – useful for advocacy on the Australian News Media Bargaining Code and journalism-related Wikimedia projects.

Current partnerships examples: Franklin Women (Women in STEM) series of edithons - https://wikimedia.org.au/wiki/Franklin_Women and also https://outreachdashboard.wmflabs.org/courses/Franklin_Women/Franklin_Women_Edit-a-thons_Women_in_Health_and_Medical_Research_2024_(24-25_July_2024)/ La Trobe University and Charles Sturt University - https://wikimedia.org.au/wiki/Using_Wikimedia_in_Higher_Education Alice Springs Public Library - https://wikimedia.org.au/wiki/Alice_Springs_Public_Library Environment Centre Northern Territory - https://wikimedia.org.au/wiki/Environment_Centre_NT_Wikipedian_in_Residence State Library of Victoria - 2 Wikimedians in Residence (one experienced editor mentoring a new editor): Dashboard so far: https://outreachdashboard.wmflabs.org/courses/SLV/Wikimedians-in-Residence_(2025)/ National Gallery of Australia - Know My Name exhibition: long term collaboration that continues: https://wikimedia.org.au/wiki/Know_My_Name

1. 1lib1ref joint campaign with Wikimedia Aotearoa New Zealand (WANZ) annual event: https://wikimedia.org.au/wiki/1Lib1Ref_2024

13. In what ways do you think your proposal most contributes to the Movement Strategy 2030 recommendations. Select all that apply. (required)

Ensure Equity in Decision-making, Invest in Skills and Leadership Development, Identify Topics for Impact, Innovate in Free Knowledge, Increase the Sustainability of Our Movement, Provide for Safety and Inclusion, Coordinate Across Stakeholders, Manage Internal Knowledge, Evaluate, Iterate, and Adapt

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	1500	Number of people attending sessions (not necessarily editing) about Wikimedia projects and platforms
Number of all editors	400	N/A
Number of new editors	200
Number of retained editors	150
Number of all organizers	20	N/A
Number of new organizers	10

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

Contributions to Wikimedia projects

Wikimedia project	Created	Edited or improved
Wikipedia	500	1000
Wikimedia Commons	500	500
Wikidata	500	1000
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
Members	Number of paid members of Wikimedia Australia	100
Events	Number of events (from Wikimedia Australia Events page https://wikimedia.org.au/wiki/Past_events).	60
Partnerships	Number of partnerships (from website and any additional relevant agreements https://wikimedia.org.au/wiki/Partnerships)	20
Media Stories	Number of media engagements (inclusive of radio, print, online etc https://wikimedia.org.au/wiki/Media)	15
Member involvement	Number of active members participating in consultative processes (eg, consultation at WikiCon, an annual membership survey, feedback on Wikimedia Australia’s strategic direction and activities (starting 2025), etc)	50

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)

We receive a small amount of local donations from Australians. We receive interest on the WMF grant in a term deposit.

Note: We are looking to diversify our income streams in this triennial grant (see Activity Plan, item 3.4.2)

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

20000

17. Your local currency. (required)

AUD

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

4601771 AUD

Multi-year funding request summary

Year	Amount (local currency)
Year 1	1494621 AUD
Year 2	1533244 AUD
Year 3	1573906 AUD

Requested amount in USD

2345538.93 USD

Multi-year funding request summary in USD

Year	Amount USD
Year 1	N/A USD
Year 2	N/A USD
Year 3	N/A USD

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.

Currently we have three WMAU staff consisting of 1 FTE and two 0.8 FTE. We plan to grow and add four more staff over the three years (three in Year 1, one in Year 3), making a total of WMAU team of seven staff at the grant conclusion.

New roles introduced during Year 1 include: Government Relations and Policy: 0.2FTE First Nations: 0.2FTE Technical: 0.2FTE Then a Partnerships Lead role in Year 3 These roles will grow in response to workload over the 3 years.

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.

Currently 2.6 FTE

Year 1: 3.2 FTE Year 2: 4.1FTE Year 3: 5.4 FTE

While there is provision in the Budget for contract staff (eg, Australian Census tool project), it is not known at this stage what exact payrate. Estimated to be 30-50 hours work.

19.3. Describe any staff or contractor changes compared to the current year / ongoing General Support Fund if any. (required only for returning grantees)

Currently 2.6 FTE

Year 1: 3.2 FTE Year 2: 4.1FTE Year 3: 5.4 FTE

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	487532 AUD
Operational costs	35500 AUD
Programmatic costs	971589 AUD

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

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1P6c7he7FixZqQCfqye2HC_qUiiH4Jvlc8EEh4O_1uqQ/edit?usp=sharing

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)

We have supplied documentation around the ICIP Protocol work including the Scoping Study, and supplementary documents created by Terri Janke and Company, to Jacqueline Chen.

We are also happy to provide a direct briefing on the application, including the significant changes in our direction, on request.

We are also happy to coordinate with Terri Janke and Company to provide a direct briefing on the ICIP Protocol project, on request.

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By submitting your proposal/funding request you agree that you are in agreement with the Application Privacy Statement, WMF Friendly Space Policy and the Universal Code of Conduct.

We/I have read the Application Privacy Statement, WMF Friendly Space Policy and Universal Code of Conduct.

Yes

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