Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/General Support Fund/Wikimedians of Republic of Srpska/One-Year General Support Grant/2024-2025/Final Report
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Part 1: Understanding your work
[edit]Per the recent update on the Wikimedia Foundation Affiliates Strategy process, Wikimedia Affiliates that are General Support Fund grantees will fulfill their affiliate reporting requirements through their final or yearly grantee report.
If you are a Wikimedia Affiliate, you will use this form for your affiliate reporting and to address the affiliate health criteria. You do not need to submit a separate report to AffCom. Follow the guidance in the green boxes to report on how you met the corresponding affiliate health criteria.
If you are not a Wikimedia Affiliate, aligning your responses with the affiliate criteria is optional and not required.
1. Please share to what extent your programs, approaches, and strategies contributed to addressing the challenges you shared in your proposal. If they did not contribute as you believed they would, please share what obstacles you faced and what, if anything, you learned from them? (required)
For affiliates, use this space (Question 1.) to address Affiliate Health Criterion 1.1 (Goal delivery). Describe how you actively delivered on mission goals, e.g. content creation.
Our programs, approaches, and strategies have meaningfully contributed to addressing the key challenges identified in our initial proposal. Throughout the reporting period, we observed tangible progress in three major areas: strengthening and expanding the community, increasing the visibility and impact of Wikimedia projects, and improving the quality and diversity of content across Wikimedia platforms.
- Community growth and capacity building: Activities such as the Edu Wiki Forum, faculty seminars, team-building sessions, and GLAM collaborations proved successful in engaging both new and existing contributors. There was a notable emphasis on inclusion, with special attention to gender balance and intergenerational participation. Structured mentorship, capacity development, and targeted outreach supported sustained community engagement.
- Content development and quality: Through edit-a-thons, article-writing contests, and thematic projects such as photo expeditions and regional campaigns, our community contributed significantly to content creation and enhancement. These efforts not only expanded the scope of topics covered, but also strengthened contributors' skills in research, critical thinking, and digital literacy.
- Visibility and partnerships: We successfully maintained and expanded cooperation with cultural and educational institutions. Public visibility of our work increased through coordinated outreach, media coverage, and participation in international events. These efforts contributed to stronger institutional ties and created opportunities for new joint initiatives.
Challenges and learnings: One of the recurring challenges was coordinating timelines with institutional partners, particularly within the GLAM sector. Due to internal programming or seasonal cycles, some activities needed to be postponed or adjusted. This experience highlighted the importance of maintaining flexibility in planning and investing in continuous communication. Overall, the combination of field work, online efforts, strategic networking, and partner involvement has proven both adaptive and effective, laying the foundation for future program development and sustained community growth.
2. Is there a plan to build on the key successes you had? If yes, please describe the plan and if no, please share the limitations to do so. For instance, did the activities lead to any new priorities, ideas for activities, or goals for the future? (required)
Yes, there is a clear plan to build upon the key achievements realized during this project cycle. Most programs and activities delivered strong results, and certain segments opened up new opportunities and helped define future priorities.
- Education Program: The successful implementation of the Edu Wiki Forum and the student competition demonstrated great potential for expanding cooperation with universities. There are plans to establish long-term educational partnerships with several faculties in Banja Luka, Bijeljina, and Trebinje, where Wikipedia would be used as a teaching tool. Additionally, work will continue on developing a network of Wiki Ambassadors among students.
- GLAM Activities: Collaboration with museums and libraries showed a high level of interest in digitization and the use of open platforms. The plan is to deepen partnerships with current institutions and to include new partners, with a stronger focus on activities such as the implementation of QRpedia codes and staff training. A long-term GLAM strategy framework is also planned.
- Gender Equality and Representation: The Wiki Women in RS project highlighted the impact of thematic activities in addressing the gender gap. Based on feedback, the continuation of photographic initiatives is planned, along with new editing campaigns focusing on women in craftsmanship, politics, and science, as well as expanded cooperation with women’s organizations.
- International Collaborations: Participation in global initiatives such as CEE Spring, WikiGap, and #1Lib1Ref provided community members with valuable experience and knowledge exchange. The plan is to continue active involvement in these campaigns and to maintain and strengthen existing partnerships.
- Internal Capacity Building: Following a successful team-building event and internal meetings, one of the goals for the upcoming period will be a more structured division of project roles, regular training for team members, and formalization of internal processes within the community, including mentorship programs for new volunteers.
The programs not only achieved their set objectives but also helped identify new directions for action. There is a clear plan to build on these accomplishments and integrate them into a long-term development framework, with a focus on sustainability, partnerships, and strategic community strengthening.
3. Please provide a link to reports that detail the activities that took place in the last year. This can include an annual report, Meta pages, and websites. If there are no links available, briefly describe the implemented activities and programs below or upload any files. (required)
For affiliates, use this space (Question 3.) to address Affiliate Health Criteria 2.1 (Affiliate health & resilience), 4.1 (Internal engagement), 4.2 (Community connection), and 4.3 (Partnerships and collaboration):
- Describe your activities engaging new users, new members for your decision-making body(ies), and developing leaders and organizers (2.1).
- Describe your activities creating or hosting spaces to encourage greater collaboration and engagement among your members (4.1).
- Describe how you engage with the contributing community that you serve and/or support (4.2).
- Describe your partnerships with other affiliates or with non-Wikimedia entities (4.3).
During the reporting period, the Wikimedia Community of the Republic of Srpska implemented a range of activities aimed at strengthening internal capacities, connecting members, engaging the broader community, and developing partnerships.
- 2.1. Community Health and Resilience<br>As part of the renewal and reinforcement of the team, new members were included in the Organizing Team and the Board, with a particular focus on young and motivated volunteers ready to take on coordination roles. A team-building event was organized in Višegrad, featuring workshops on planning, project management, and leadership skills. New members received mentorship support during the implementation of their initial activities, which contributed to their independence and more active participation in the Community’s work.
- 4.1. Internal Engagement and Connection<br>Regular communication was maintained through monthly online meetings, closed communication channels (mailing lists, chat groups), and direct consultations on every activity. The team-building event, annual conference, and edit-a-thons served as opportunities to strengthen collaboration, share ideas, and make joint decisions. Members were equally involved in shaping the program and strategic directions.
- 4.2. Engagement with the Broader Editing Community<br>Activities such as the Edu Wiki Forum, article writing contests, edit-a-thons, and the #1Lib1Ref campaign included active participation from both new and existing Wikipedia editors. Ongoing support was provided through mentorship, training, and editing tools. This approach established a stable connection between the organization and the wider editing community operating outside the organizational structure.
- 4.3. Partnerships and Collaboration <br>Cooperation was established with numerous cultural and educational institutions — museums, libraries, theaters, and civil society organizations. Successful projects were implemented in partnership with Wikimedia Serbia (CEE Spring, WikiGap, #1Lib1Ref), as well as with other organizations in the region. Particularly valuable were the activities carried out under the GLAM program, involving six institutions. These partnerships represent a key resource for further program development and the promotion of a culture of free knowledge.
4. Are you interested in sharing what you achieved or learned this year with the wider community through different peer learning programs (e.g. Let's Connect program, Diff)? (optional)
Yes — the Wikimedia Community of the Republic of Srpska is highly interested in sharing its results, experiences, and examples of good practices with the wider movement through existing mechanisms such as the Let's Connect program, the Diff blog, and similar platforms. We believe that our experience in working with institutions within the GLAM program, developing the Wiki Ambassador program, organizing photo expeditions, and training new coordinators can be valuable to other communities.
During the previous period, we already established contact with representatives of other affiliates through international events (such as WikiLive and the CEE Conference), and in the upcoming period, we plan to actively share content via Diff and participate in Let’s Connect sessions, both as attendees and potentially as hosts of thematic conversations. This also presents an opportunity to connect with communities facing similar challenges and to continue the process of mutual learning and support.
5. Did you collect feedback from your community or target groups on how the activities implemented impacted them? If yes, please attach/provide information on the results (e.g. community surveys, stories, impact booklets/reports, interviews with partner institutions, etc). Did you collect other impact-specific data? (required)
For affiliates, the response to Question 5. also partially addresses Affiliate Health Criteria 4.1 (Internal Engagement), 4.2 (Community Connection), or 4.3 (Partnerships & collaboration), where applicable.
Yes — during the reporting period, we regularly collected feedback from participants in our activities through several channels:
- Evaluation surveys conducted after seminars, workshops, and edit-a-thons;
- Informal conversations and interviews with partner institutions (especially within the GLAM program);
- Feedback received through social media and blog comments;
- Direct communication with editors and volunteers during and after events.
Particularly valuable insights came from the Edu Wiki Seminar and Photo Expedition, where participants emphasized the usefulness of hands-on experience, as well as the importance of support and training in the digitization process and editing on Wikimedia projects. Participants in editing contests and campaigns often reported that their involvement helped them develop new skills — especially in the areas of critical thinking, digital literacy, and research.
Within the Wiki Ambassador program and partnerships with museums, institutions provided internal reports and oral feedback, helping us better understand their needs and adjust our planning accordingly (e.g., more flexible scheduling due to exhibitions and institutional programs).
Although formalized impact reports are not yet a standard practice for all activities, a combination of qualitative and quantitative data (number of participants, number of articles, participant feedback) provides a clear picture of project outcomes. This information is actively used to refine future programs and serves as a foundation for strategic planning.
An example — Feedback from Annual Conference Participants:
6. During the fund period, did your efforts do any of the following? (required):
For affiliates, the response to Question 6. also partially addresses Affiliate Health Criterion 2.2 (Diversity balance).
- 6.1 Bring in participants from the following groups: women, people with disabilities, people from lower socioeconomic status, young people, speakers of minority languages, underrepresented geographical regions (ESEAP, LATAM, SSA, MENA, SA)
- 6.2 Develop content about the following underrepresented topics or groups of people: women, people with disabilities, speakers of minority languages, underrepresented geographical regions (ESEAP, LATAM, SSA, MENA, SA), other
- 6.3 Support the retention of: Editors, Organizers, Partnerships, Wikimedians in Residence positions
7. What, if any, effective tactics or approaches can you share that worked well when dealing with the programs under points 6.1-6.3 that you selected? (optional)
During the implementation of programs focused on supporting underrepresented groups and topics, several approaches proved particularly effective:
- Local and direct collaboration with partners – Cooperation with women’s associations, museums, and cultural centers in smaller communities was key to engaging new participants (especially women and youth), as well as creating content on topics such as intangible cultural heritage, traditional crafts, and Roma culture.
- Photographic and field work – Through the Photo Expedition project and photographing women in traditional crafts, it was possible to visually document underrepresented topics while also involving new volunteers with experience in culture, photography, and fieldwork.
- Targeted editing contests and marathons – Organizing thematic editing actions (e.g., Women in Science, Mental Health, World Roma Day) allowed for a clear focus, easier participant engagement, and the achievement of visible results in a short time frame.
- Mentorship and support for new editors – Especially within educational programs and student competitions, ongoing mentorship helped retain new editors and supported the development of their skills.
- Inclusion in practice – During the Edu Wiki Forum, adequate support was provided to students with disabilities, enabling their active and equal participation in all sessions. This inclusive approach was recognized as a good organizational practice and set a standard for future events.
- Recognition of participant contributions – Promoting editors and their work via social media, blogs, and the press increased the sense of value and belonging, which motivated volunteers to continue their engagement.
These tactics contributed not only to raising the visibility of projects and topics related to marginalized groups, but also to strengthening internal cohesion and the overall sustainability of the community.
8. If you developed partnerships, which of the following factors most helped you to build partnerships? Please pick a MAXIMUM of the three most relevant factors (optional):
Board members’ outreach, Volunteers from our communities, Partners proactive interest
Part 2: Metrics
[edit]| Metrics name | Target | Result | Comments and tools used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of all participants | 750 | 672 | Manual tracking. |
| Number of all editors | 360 | 310 | Manual tracking. |
| Number of new editors | 200 | 180 | |
| Number of retained editors | 100 | 96 | |
| Number of all organizers | 70 | 70 | Manual tracking. |
| Number of new organizers | 15 | 15 |
| Wikimedia project | Target - Number of created pages | Target - Number of improved pages | Result - Number of created pages | Result - Number of improved pages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wikipedia | 800 | 1000 | 1286 | 830 |
| Wikimedia Commons | 3800 | 4100 | ||
| Wikidata | ||||
| Wiktionary | 150 | 140 | ||
| Wikisource | ||||
| Wikimedia Incubator | ||||
| Translatewiki | ||||
| MediaWiki | ||||
| Wikiquote | ||||
| Wikivoyage | ||||
| Wikibooks | 20 | 29 | ||
| Wikiversity | ||||
| Wikinews | ||||
| Wikispecies | ||||
| Wikifunctions or Abstract Wikipedia |
11. Did you set other quantitative and qualitative targets for your project (other metrics)? (required): Yes
11.1. Other Metrics.
In your application, you outlined some other open metrics that you would like to measure. Please fill out the achieved results for each of the open metrics you defined.
| Other Metrics name | Metrics Description | Target | Result | Tools and comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of activities | The number of events in all our programs. | 77 | 70 | Manual tracking via attendance lists and contribution review. |
| Number of strategic partnerships that contribute to longer term growth, diversity and sustainability | Number of institutions with which cooperation will continue. | 45 | 45 | Manual tracking via attendance lists and contribution review. |
| Diversity of participants brought in by grantees | 60 | 56 | Manual tracking via attendance lists and contribution review. | |
| Number of volunteer hours | 16000 | 16000 | Manual tracking via attendance lists and contribution review. | |
Part 3: Skill Development / Capacity Building
[edit]12. Reflecting on your programmatic (external) and organizational (internal) work, did your grant support you to undergo any skill development that made a difference to your success? If yes, what skill was developed, and how did it lead to success? (e.g. received coaching on public speaking, attended training on nonviolent communication, hosted professional development conversations on leadership, learned and used a new tool for project management, etc.)? Can you share any materials? (required)
For affiliates, use this space (Question 12.) to address Affiliate Health Criteria 2.2 (Diversity balance) and 3.1 (Diverse, Skilled, and Accountable Leadership):
- Describe actions taken to prioritize gender balance in affiliate leadership, as well as any areas of diversity relevant to your affiliate's context (2.2).
- Describe the management, financial, or other leadership skills of your affiliate leaders. If you have a succession plan, please include it here (3.1).
- Describe any training or skill development (as outlined in the question above) (3.1).
- Incorporate into the annual report a disclosure of conflict of interests (if any) from the leadership (3.1).
During the reporting period, the support provided through the grant significantly contributed to capacity strengthening both within the team and at the broader community level. In terms of skill development, the focus was placed on internal trainings and structured knowledge-sharing processes — particularly in the areas of planning, project management, event organization, budgeting, and reporting. Members of the organizational team and the board had the opportunity to actively participate in budget preparation, coordination of activities, and the creation of programmatic reports, which enhanced their confidence, expertise, and sense of responsibility.
As a result of years of consistent efforts to promote gender equity, affiliate leadership has maintained a gender balance for an extended period. Women are represented at all levels of decision-making and leadership within both the board and the organizational team. This approach is also supported and promoted through programmatic activities (e.g. Wiki Women, thematic actions related to gender equality, and others). In addition to gender equity, attention is continuously given to geographic and generational diversity — community members come from different regions of Republika Srpska, and a new generation of young editors and organizers is actively engaged.
The focus on knowledge transfer and mentorship has resulted in the inclusion of new members in the decision-making process and project implementation. A team-building event in Višegrad proved particularly beneficial in this regard, as it enabled participants — through formal workshops and informal discussions — to gain a better understanding of internal procedures, develop leadership skills, and inspire initiative among new members.
Although a formal written succession plan was not in place, the established practice of continuously involving new members, sharing responsibilities, and conducting internal trainings has functioned as an effective model for leadership transition within the community.
No conflicts of interest occurred or were reported during the reporting period in the functioning of the governance body.
13. What is one capacity/skill area that you would like to focus on for the next year? And how do you plan to achieve this capacity? (required)
In the upcoming period, the Wikimedia Community of Republika Srpska will focus its efforts on strengthening internal capacities in the areas of strategic planning, sustainable project management, and enhanced teamwork — with a particular emphasis on the education of new members and the development of leadership skills.
The plan includes:
- Internal training on project management and impact assessment;
- Mentorship support for new members assuming project roles;
- Regular internal meetings of the organizational and board teams, with shared minutes and analytical reviews;
- Revision of existing procedures and delegation of responsibilities in line with team development;
- Consistent application of the Universal Code of Conduct (UCoC) in all activities — through internal discussions and regular reinforcement of community values;
- Improvement of internal communication through regular newsletters, mailing lists, and online meetings.
The community remains committed to transparency and the continuous strengthening of internal communication. Members are regularly informed through meetings, email updates, and online communication channels. In addition to current practices, efforts will be made to enhance the public visibility of activities and internal processes relevant to the functioning of the community — aiming to further build trust and support within the organization.
14. If you have additional information or reflections that don’t fit into the above sections, please write them here. Use the space below to upload any additional documents that would be useful to understand your report.
For affiliates, also use this section (Question 14) to fulfill the Affiliate Health Criteria requirements.
- Describe and link to any public-facing documentation for affiliate governance, including affiliate leadership and membership with a breakdown of the demographics; how elections are conducted; how conflicts of interest are declared; and how decisions are made and communicated (2.2, 2.3, 3.1).
- Describe and link to any public-facing documentation for activities incorporating, promoting awareness about, or enforcing the Universal Code of Conduct in your affiliate's activities (3.3).
- Describe and link to any public-facing documentation for internal membership engagement, such as notes from your regular meetings and how you communicate to or involve your membership (4.1).
During the reporting period, the Community made significant strides toward internal consolidation, distribution of responsibilities, and improved efficiency. Special emphasis was placed on strengthening internal communication and ensuring continuous involvement of members in the planning and implementation of activities. Regular meetings of the organizational team and the Board, as well as the active engagement of new members in key programs, led to a more balanced workload, improved program oversight, and a stronger sense of belonging among members.
Collaboration with partners, particularly in the cultural and educational sectors, reaffirmed the importance of long-term relationships based on trust and flexibility. Timelines for certain activities were often adjusted to fit institutional schedules, which contributed to building credibility and sustaining partnerships.
Within the Community, we continue to build a mentorship model and strengthen capacities through training and internal learning. We believe that long-term investment in people — through knowledge, trust, and support — is the most effective path to stability and development.
In line with the criteria for good governance and transparency, the affiliate regularly publishes updates on its activities and results via its official website, blog, social media pages, and official Wikipedia pages. Membership is formalized through a registration form, while internal procedures — including decision-making, task delegation, and meeting documentation — are implemented through established mechanisms within the organizational and governing structures.
Meetings, initiatives, and collective decisions are regularly documented and communicated to the broader membership via internal channels (mailing lists, online meetings, meeting notes), which ensures a high level of engagement and transparency.
The principles of the Universal Code of Conduct (UCoC) are consistently applied in planning and executing activities. New members are introduced to the core values and ethical standards through mentorship and internal discussions.
In the upcoming period, additional efforts will be made to improve the public visibility of internal processes and key information on relevant platforms, in order to further strengthen trust and support within the community while meeting the standards expected of recognized Wikimedia affiliates.
Part 4: Financial reporting
[edit]For affiliates, also use this section (Part 4: Financial reporting) to address Affiliate Health Criterion 3.2 (Financial & Legal Compliance).
| Description | Planned / received budget for this category (EUR) | Amount spent (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Personnel costs | 0 | 0 |
| Operational costs | 13312 | 13312 |
| Programmatic costs | 36050 | 36050 |
| Total General Support Fund | 49362.48 | 49362.48 |
| Other revenue | ||
| Remaining funds from General Support Fund | N/A |
15. Please state the total amount spent from this fund in your local currency. (required)
49362.48 EUR
16. Please provide an overview of the amount spent from this fund in the following budget categories in your local currency. (required)
- Operational costs: 13312 EUR
- Programmatic costs: 0 EUR
- Staff and contractor costs: 36050 EUR
17. Did you have any other revenue sources (e.g. other funding, membership contributions, donations)? (required): No
- 17.1. Provide the total amount received from other revenue sources in your local currency. (required): EUR
- 17.2. Provide the total amount spent from other revenue sources in your local currency. (required): EUR
18. Provide a financial report document which will provide the details of funds received and spent in the currency of your fund. (required)
- Upload Documents, Templates, and Files.
- Report funds received and spent, if template not used.
- BA-SRP Budget report 2024/2025: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zFEyPmB9P20ORdoTWXHktrZx7th_WXgPTQz7QJxhdGk/edit?usp=sharing
18.2. If you have not already done so in your financial spending report, provide information on changes in the budget in relation to your original proposal. (optional)
N/A
19. Do you have any unspent funds from this funding?: No
20. Final confirmations (required)
- 20.1. Are you in compliance with the terms outlined in the fund agreement? You must be in compliance 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 Wikimedia Foundation mission and for charitable/nonprofit/educational purposes.
- Yes
- 20.2. Are you in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations as outlined in the grant agreement?
- Yes
- 20.3. 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
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