Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Rapid Fund/Bole Wikipedia Awareness Campaigns (ID: 23547493)
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Applicant Details
[edit]- Main Wikimedia username. (required)
El-hussain14
- Organization
N/A
- If you are a group or organization leader, board member, president, executive director, or staff member at any Wikimedia group, affiliate, or Wikimedia Foundation, you are required to self-identify and present all roles. (required)
N/A
- Describe all relevant roles with the name of the group or organization and description of the role. (required)
Main Proposal
[edit]- 1. Please state the title of your proposal. This will also be the Meta-Wiki page title.
Bole Wikipedia Awareness Campaigns
- 2. and 3. Proposed start and end dates for the proposal.
2025-09-01 - 2025-11-30
- 4. Where will this proposal be implemented? (required)
Nigeria
- 5. Are your activities part of a Wikimedia movement campaign, project, or event? If so, please select the relevant project or campaign. (required)
Other (please specify) Awareness Campaign
- 6. What is the change you are trying to bring? What are the main challenges or problems you are trying to solve? Describe this change or challenges, as well as main approaches to achieve it. (required)
The change I am committed to bringing is centered on creating awareness and building capacity within the Bole speaking community about the opportunities that Wikipedia offers. Currently, most members of the Bole community have little knowledge about Wikipedia, and even among those who are aware of the platform, very few know that the Bole language already exists in the Wikimedia Incubator. This lack of awareness and participation has resulted in a very limited number of contributors, which poses a challenge to the growth and visibility of the Bole language online.
To address this gap, I intend to organize a comprehensive awareness campaign that will introduce Wikipedia and its sister project to the Bole speaking population. This campaign will specifically emphasize that the Bole language has a dedicated space in the Wikimedia Incubator, where speakers and learners alike can contribute to the development of knowledge resources in their mother tongue.
Following this awareness campaign, I will also organize hands-on workshops designed to train interested participants on how to create and edit articles in the Incubator. These training sessions will not only cover the basics of editing but also highlight the importance of contributing content that reflects the Bole heritage, culture, and history, ensuring that knowledge about the people is preserved, accessible, and shared widely.
By doing this, we aim to strengthen the representation of the Bole language on the internet, encourage more active contributors, and foster a sense of pride and ownership within the community. Ultimately, this initiative will contribute to digital inclusion, cultural preservation, and educational access, ensuring that future generations can learn and benefit from knowledge produced in their own language.
- 7. What are the planned activities? (required) Please provide a list of main activities. You can also add a link to the public page for your project where details about your project can be found. Alternatively, you can upload a timeline document. When the activities include partnerships, include details about your partners and planned partnerships.
Proposed Activities
To achieve our goals, we develop a set of activities that will ensure the active engagement of the Bole speaking community in the Wikipedia movement, with a focus on growing and sustaining the Bole Wikipedia in the Wikimedia Incubator:
1. Community Engagement and Mobilization We will actively engage members of the Bole speaking community and introduce them to the Wikipedia movement. The aim is to increase awareness that Bole already has a presence in the Wikimedia Incubator and is on track to becoming a full-fledged Wikipedia. By mobilizing individuals, we will foster a sense of ownership and encourage them to see Wikipedia as a platform for promoting their language, knowledge, and culture.
2.Content Creation and Improvement A core activity will be in supporting participants in creating and improving articles in the Bole language on the Incubator. This will include training sessions on how to research, draft, edit, and publish high-quality articles. By focusing on topics related to Bole heritage, culture, history, and contemporary issues, we will close significant knowledge gaps while ensuring that the content is relevant, reliable, and valuable for both the local and global audience.
3.Capacity Building through Awareness Campaigns and Workshops To broaden impact, we will organize targeted awareness campaigns in Bauchi and Yobe State, the cultural heartland of Bole people and where a majority of Bole speakers live. This will provide a strong base of potential volunteers. During these campaigns, we will highlight the significance of having Bole knowledge represented on a global platform like Wikipedia, as well as the role of local contributions in achieving this. These awareness sessions will be followed by hands-on workshops where participants will receive practical training on editing, articles creation, and Wikidata.
4.Strengthening the Path to a Full Bole Wikipedia Since the Bole Wikipedia is close to becoming an independent site, these activities will directly contribute to strengthening its content base, increasing the number of active editors, and ensuring the community’s readiness for the transition. By cultivating a pool of trained contributors and equipping them with the necessary skills, we will help secure the long-term sustainability of the Bole Wikipedia beyond the Incubator stage.
- 8. Describe your team. Please provide their roles, Wikimedia Usernames and other details. (required) Include more details of the team, including their roles, usernames, Wikimedia group, and whether they are salaried, volunteers, consultants/contractors, etc. Team members involved in the grant application need to be aware of their involvement in the project.
I have a dedicated and experience wikimedian editors that will work to make sure that all the plan activities has align with the mission of Bole Wikipedia for long time sustainability:
User: El-hussain14 (Project Lead): is a seasoned and accomplished editor with a deep understanding of Wikimedia projects. El-hussain14 Is a founder of Bole Wikipedia Community a minority language in Yobe state, his extensive expertise has been instrumental throughout his career. El-hussain14 has actively participated in numerous impactful Wikimedia initiatives, including Nigeria Wikimedia Community user Group local grant review Committee, Train the Trainers program. He has received multiple awards for his contribution to Wikimedia projects and lead various Wikimedia initiatives.
User: Umargana1 (Project Facilitator): Umargana1 is an indigenous language advocate and experience editor in central kanuri Wikipedia, who has facilitate and lead so many projects, such as vitals articles creation in central kanuri incubator. Central kanuri awareness. Central kanuri Wikipedia outreach. And he is also a Co- Founder of Central kanuri Wikipedia, he play a role of vice Chairman in the community administration team. Umargana1 will serve as project facilitator to train the recruit editors.
User: Yahuzaishat ( Project Anchor): is a Wikimedia editor, trainer, and community organizer with strong experience in open knowledge advocacy. A graduate of the Wikimedia Organizer’s Lab, he has developed advanced skills in community leadership, project design, and event facilitation. He has actively contributed to Wikimedia campaigns by improving article quality, adding reliable references, and documenting local knowledge. In Northern Nigeria, he pioneered Wikimedia awareness through trainings, meetups, and outreach, empowering students and young creatives to become effective contributors. Through his commitment to community engagement and knowledge sharing. Yahuzaishat plays a key role in advancing Wikimedia’s mission and amplifying voices from Nigeria and Africa in the global knowledge space. He will serve as a project anchor.
User:Usmaney01 ( Mentorship and Coordination): is an experienced Bole Wikipedia editor with a strong track record in content creation and community support. He has contributed significantly to the growth of Bole-language content on Wikimedia projects, ensuring that knowledge from underrepresented communities is documented and shared globally. In addition to his editing work, Usmaney01 plays a vital role as a mentor, providing guidance and technical support to newly recruited Bole editors. His expertise, patience, and dedication have helped first-time contributors develop the skills and confidence needed to actively participate in Wikimedia projects. Through his commitment to both content development and mentorship, Usmaney01 continues to strengthen the Bole Wikipedia community and advance the broader mission of open knowledge. His leadership will ensures that more voices from minority language communities are represented in the global knowledge movement.
- 9. Who are the target participants and from which community? How will you engage participants before and during the activities? How will you follow up with participants after the activities? (required)
- Bole Community in Bauchi and Yobe State (with Focus on Higher Institution Students)
Our primary target is the Bole speaking community in Bauchi and Yobe State, particularly students in higher institutions such as universities, colleges of education, and polytechnics. These students represent a key demographic because they are already educated, digitally literate, and more likely to adapt quickly to online knowledge-sharing platforms like Wikipedia. By engaging this group, we can create a strong foundation of contributors who possess both the academic background and the technical ability to produce a high quality content. Furthermore, involving higher institution students will help instill a culture of knowledge contribution among young people, ensuring sustainability and continuity for the Bole Wikipedia.
- Leveraging Existing Digital Communities
In addition to physical outreach, we will also build on the Bole community’s existing online networks. We already have active groups on WhatsApp, Facebook, and other social media platforms, which serve as communication and mobilization channels. These platforms provide us with a ready-made avenue to share information about the project, recruit volunteers, and provide continuous mentorship and provide support to our participants. By utilizing these digital spaces, we can reach a broader audience, including Bole speakers living outside our target communities or in the diaspora, thereby expanding participation and ensuring inclusivity.
- 10. Does your project involve work with children or youth? (required)
Yes
- 10.1. Please provide a link to your Youth Safety Policy. (required) If the proposal indicates direct contact with children or youth, you are required to outline compliance with international and local laws for working with children and youth, and provide a youth safety policy aligned with these laws. Read more here.
We will adhere to the Wikipedia foundation universal code of conduct: https://foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/Policy:Universal_Code_of_Conduct 2. Wikimedia foundation friendly space policy: https://foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/Policy:Friendly_space_policy#:~:text=The%20Wikimedia%20Foundation%20is%20dedicated,expression%2C%20disability%2C%20physical%20appearance%2C
- 11. How did you discuss the idea of your project with your community members and/or any relevant groups? Please describe steps taken and provide links to any on-wiki community discussion(s) about the proposal. (required) You need to inform the community and/or group, discuss the project with them, and involve them in planning this proposal. You also need to align the activities with other projects happening in the planned area of implementation to ensure collaboration within the community.
- Origin of the Idea
The initiative emerged from discussions within our existing Bole community WhatsApp group, where members collectively identified the need to promote and strengthen the presence of the Bole language on Wikipedia. This reflects that the project is not an individual effort but a community-driven idea, born out of genuine interest and the recognition of knowledge gaps that need to be addressed.
- Community Commitment
All members of the WhatsApp group have been informed about the project and have expressed their willingness to actively participate and contribute. Their commitment demonstrates a strong foundation of volunteers who are ready to take part in awareness campaigns, workshops, and content development. This existing level of buy-in ensures that the project has a reliable support system from the very beginning, and it increases the likelihood of achieving sustainability even after the initial activities are completed.
- Wider Collaboration and Partnerships
To strengthen impact and avoid working in isolation, we plan to announce and share this initiative within the Nigeria Wikimedia Community User Group and other language hubs across the Wikimedia movement in Nigeria. By doing so, we aim to attract broader support, collaboration, and visibility from experienced Wikimedians who can provide mentorship, technical guidance, and encouragement. This wider network will also help amplify the work of Bole contributors, connect them with similar language preservation efforts, and ensure that our project aligns with the global Wikimedia goals of diversity, inclusion, and knowledge equity.
- 12. Does your proposal aim to work to bridge any of the content knowledge gaps (Knowledge Inequity)? Select one option that most apply to your work. (required)
Language
- 13. Does your proposal include any of these areas or thematic focus? Select one option that most applies to your work. (required)
Culture, heritage or GLAM
- 14. Will your work focus on involving participants from any underrepresented communities? Select one option that most apply to your work. (required)
Linguistic / Language
- 15. In what ways do you think your proposal most contributes to the Movement Strategy 2030 recommendations. Select one that most applies. (required)
Increase the Sustainability of Our Movement
Learning and metrics
[edit]- 17. What do you hope to learn from your work in this project or proposal? (required)
1. We Will learn more about the language and culture of the Bole people which does not exist in Wikipedia.
2. We will share more knowledge to other participants about Wikipedia and its sister project.
3. We hope to also learn how editors and Wikipedia users manage the information found in Wikipedia as their own advantage for educational usage.
- 18. What are your Wikimedia project targets in numbers (metrics)? (required)
| Other Metrics | Target | Optional description |
|---|---|---|
| Number of participants | 50 | Number of expected participants |
| Number of editors | 30 | Number of editors who are expected to contribute |
| Number of organizers | 4 | This includes persons involved in implementing activities such as coordinators, trainers, advisors, facilitators, publicity leaders and speakers |
| Wikimedia project | Number of content created or improved |
|---|---|
| Wikipedia | 300 |
| Wikimedia Commons | 400 |
| Wikidata | 400 |
| Wiktionary | |
| Wikisource | |
| Wikimedia Incubator | |
| Translatewiki | |
| MediaWiki | |
| Wikiquote | |
| Wikivoyage | |
| Wikibooks | |
| Wikiversity | |
| Wikinews | |
| Wikispecies | |
| Wikifunctions or Abstract Wikipedia |
- Optional description for content contributions.
N/A
- 19. Do you have any other project targets in numbers (metrics)? (optional)
No
| Main Open Metrics | Description | Target |
|---|---|---|
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
- 20. What tools would you use to measure each metrics? Please refer to the guide for a list of tools. You can also write that you are not sure and need support. (required)
We will use the following link to trace the project progress and our editors contribution:https://meta.toolforge.org/catanalysis/index.php?cat=0&title=Wp/bol&wiki=incubatorwiki.
Financial proposal
[edit]- 21. Please upload your budget for this proposal or indicate the link to it. (required)
- 22. and 22.1. What is the amount you are requesting for this proposal? Please provide the amount in your local currency. (required)
2306000 NGN
- 22.2. Convert the amount requested into USD using the Oanda converter. This is done only to help you assess the USD equivalent of the requested amount. Your request should be between 500 - 5,000 USD.
1501.21 USD
- We/I have read the Application Privacy Statement, WMF Friendly Space Policy and Universal Code of Conduct.
Yes
Endorsements and Feedback
[edit]Please add endorsements and feedback to the grant discussion page only. Endorsements added here will be removed automatically.
Community members are invited to share meaningful feedback on the proposal and include reasons why they endorse the proposal. Consider the following:
- Stating why the proposal is important for the communities involved and why they think the strategies chosen will achieve the results that are expected.
- Highlighting any aspects they think are particularly well developed: for instance, the strategies and activities proposed, the levels of community engagement, outreach to underrepresented groups, addressing knowledge gaps, partnerships, the overall budget and learning and evaluation section of the proposal, etc.
- Highlighting if the proposal focuses on any interesting research, learning or innovation, etc. Also if it builds on learning from past proposals developed by the individual or organization, or other Wikimedia communities.
- Analyzing if the proposal is going to contribute in any way to important developments around specific Wikimedia projects or Movement Strategy.
- Analysing if the proposal is coherent in terms of the objectives, strategies, budget, and expected results (metrics).