Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Rapid Fund/Developing Student Led Wikimedia Activities in Slovenia (ID: 23730822)
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Applicant Details
[edit]- Main Wikimedia username. (required)
GeographieMan
- Organization
Wikipedians of Slovenia User Group
- 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.
Developing Student Led Wikimedia Activities in Slovenia
- 2. and 3. Proposed start and end dates for the proposal.
2026-04-04 - 2027-04-04
- 4. Where will this proposal be implemented? (required)
Slovenia
- 5. Are your activities part of a Wikimedia movement campaign, project, or event? If so, please select the relevant project or campaign. (required)
Not applicable
- 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)
This proposal builds on the work of the University of Ljubljana Wiki Student Club to establish a sustainable, student-led Wikimedia community in Slovenia.
Although there is clear interest among students, participation often remains limited to one-time events. Many newcomers are unsure how Wikipedia editing works in practice and rarely have opportunities to learn together in person.
We will address these challenges by combining regular in-person events, newcomer support, and outreach through the WikiClub, with guidance from the Wikipedians of Slovenia User Group.
The main approach is to run regular workshops and editathons at the university that give students a clear and welcoming first step into Wikimedia editing.
These approaches build on our experience from previous WikiClub activities, including the Gorizia–Nova Gorica 2025 joint edit-a-thon with Wikimedia Italia, which resulted in 57 new Slovenian articles.
If implemented, this proposal will reduce barriers to participation, strengthen local Wikimedia capacity, and help more students become long-term contributors to Slovenian Wikipedia and the wider Wikimedia community.
- 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.
1) Introductory Wikipedia workshops for students
Introductory workshops will be organized for students who are new to Wikipedia or interested in contributing. Workshops will be hands-on, with participants making their first edits during the session and learning how to continue editing afterwards.
2.) Thematic edit-a-thons with local and international collaboration The project will organize several in-person edit-a-thons in Ljubljana through the University of Ljubljana Wiki Student Club, each focused on themes relevant to participant interests and broader Wikimedia priorities. Edit-a-thons will combine guided editing, peer support, and a welcoming social atmosphere, with light catering provided to encourage participation and ongoing engagement.
2.1) An important element of these edit-a-thons will be collaboration with other Wikimedia communities. A confirmed collaboration is planned with Wikimedia Italia, building on a successful joint edit-a-thon held in December 2025–January 2026 (https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Gorizia-Nova_Gorica_2025). A follow-up event is planned for April or May 2026.
Additional collaborations are planned, though not yet confirmed, with Wikimedia Macedonia, as well as Turkish and Greek WikiClubs, with whom the organizers are already in contact. Further partnerships may also develop during the grant period, depending on community interest and capacity.
These collaborations are intended to support cross-community exchange, shared learning, and broader participation in Wikimedia projects.
3.) Local photography and documentation activities
Small-group photography and documentation activities will be organized to collect freely licensed media related to local Slovenian culture, heritage, and public spaces. Participants will upload their contributions to Wikimedia Commons, helping improve visual coverage of underrepresented topics while gaining hands-on experience with copyright, free licenses, and media contribution workflows.
4.) Community outreach and visibility activities
The project will support outreach through simple branded materials, such as T-shirts or small promotional items, used during events and public-facing activities. These materials help increase the visibility of Wikimedia projects in university and student spaces, while also helping participants feel part of a visible WikiClub community.
5.) Support for local travel and logistics
Limited funding will be allocated to support local transportation related to project activities, such as group travel for documentation outings or participation in events. This support helps reduce practical barriers to participation and makes activities more accessible to students and volunteers.
6.) Coordination, documentation, and reporting
All activities will be documented on public project and event pages, including information on participation, outcomes, and content created or uploaded. After each event, we will publish a short report with participation numbers and links to the articles or uploads created.
A public website for the WikiClub will be used to share information about activities, upcoming events, and participation opportunities: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/University_of_Ljubljana_Wiki_Student_Club
- 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.
This project is organized and implemented by a small volunteer team, primarily through the university-based WikiClub, with additional support from members of the Wikipedians of Slovenia User Group.
All team members are aware of their involvement in the project. No team members are salaried; all roles are voluntary.
1.) Nal (Project Lead and Main Organizer)
- Wikimedia username: GeographieMan
- Role: Project lead and primary coordinator of the grant activities. Responsible for overall planning, communication, event organization, reporting, and coordination with partners and participants through the WikiClub.
2.) Oliver (Co-organizer, WikiClub Coordinator)
- Wikimedia username: A09
Role: Co-organizer supporting the planning and delivery of workshops and edit-a-thons, participant outreach, and on-site event facilitation.
3.) Jernej (User Group Advisor and Community Support)
- Wikimedia username: Yerpo
- Role: Provides community advice and occasional assistance in connecting activities with the wider Slovenian Wikimedia community.
4.) Vera (User Group Advisor and Community Support)
- Wikimedia username: Pinky sl
- Role: Provides supportive guidance, experience-based feedback, support with Wikimedia processes, and occasional help with outreach or coordination when needed.
- 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)
The primary target participants for this project are students and young contributors in Slovenia, reached through the university-based WikiClub, as well as members of the broader Slovenian Wikimedia community interested in participating in edit-a-thons, workshops, and documentation activities.
The project aims to engage both:
- newcomers and first-time editors, especially university students, and
- experienced Wikimedians, who can support activities through mentorship and collaboration.
Engagement before activities Participants will be engaged and recruited through multiple outreach channels, including:
- Social media communication through the WikiClub and Wikipedians of Slovenia User Group channels
- Announcements on Slovenian Wikipedia community forums and noticeboards
- Sharing information in relevant Telegram and online community groups
- Use of Sitenotices on Wikipedia for major edit-a-thons to increase visibility among active editors
- University-based outreach, including emails to student mailing lists, posters on campus, and support from professors and academic staff to reach interested students
This combination of online and offline outreach ensures that both community members and newcomers can discover activities easily.
Engagement during activities During events, participants will be supported through a welcoming and collaborative environment. Activities such as workshops and edit-a-thons will include:
- guided introductions for newcomers,
- peer support and mentoring from organizers and experienced editors, and
- structured editing tasks and clear documentation to help participants contribute effectively.
Follow-up after activities After each activity, the project will maintain engagement and encourage continued participation through:
- public event reports documenting participation numbers, articles created or improved, and media uploads
- follow-up posts on social media highlighting outcomes and recognizing contributors
- sharing learning points and next steps with participants to encourage repeat attendance
- maintaining ongoing communication through WikiClub channels to invite participants to future events and support sustained involvement
Through consistent outreach, structured support, and follow-up communication, the project aims to turn initial participation into long-term engagement within the Slovenian Wikimedia community.
Participants who show continued interest will be invited to become regular WikiClub members and take on more active roles in future activities, supporting long-term community sustainability.
- 10. Does your project involve work with children or youth? (required)
No
- 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.
N/A
- 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.
The idea for this project was developed through ongoing discussions within the Slovenian Wikimedia community and the university-based WikiClub.
The core activities (student workshops, edit-a-thons, and documentation events) build on experience from previous WikiClub events, including a joint edit-a-thon organized with Wikimedia Italia in December 2025–January 2026.
During the preparation of this proposal, the project plan was discussed offline and through direct communication with members of the Wikipedians of Slovenia User Group, including Jernej and Vera, who are providing guidance and community support.
In order to ensure transparency and alignment with the wider community, an on-wiki community discussion has been initiated here:
Feedback from community members will continue to be incorporated during the grant period, and activities will be coordinated with other Wikimedia initiatives in Slovenia and partner communities to avoid duplication and encourage collaboration.
- 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)
Not applicable
- 13. Does your proposal include any of these areas or thematic focus? Select one option that most applies to your work. (required)
Education
- 14. Will your work focus on involving participants from any underrepresented communities? Select one option that most apply to your work. (required)
Age (diversity of age groups)
- 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)
Through this project, we hope to learn more about effective ways to engage and retain new contributors, especially students and young adults, within the Slovenian Wikimedia community. The main learning goals of this proposal can be expressed through the following learning questions:
- What outreach methods are most effective in attracting new student participants? For example, comparing engagement through university communication channels, social media, and on-wiki announcements.
- Which event formats best support newcomer learning and continued participation? We would like to understand whether introductory workshops, thematic edit-a-thons, or documentation activities lead to stronger contributor confidence and follow-up editing.
- How can we improve retention beyond a first event? We aim to learn what types of follow-up communication, mentoring, and community connection encourage participants to remain active after initial participation.
- What value do international and cross-community collaborations add to local activities? Through joint edit-a-thons with partner communities (such as Wikimedia Italia and others), we hope to learn how collaboration influences motivation, learning, and content outcomes.
- How can student-led Wikimedia initiatives contribute to long-term community sustainability in Slovenia? We want to explore how WikiClub activities can strengthen the broader local community and support the development of future organizers.
- 18. What are your Wikimedia project targets in numbers (metrics)? (required)
| Other Metrics | Target | Optional description |
|---|---|---|
| Number of participants | 75 | We currently have an active base of around 15 participants in the WikiClub, ranging from new to experienced editors. Through regular workshops, multiple editathons, and broader outreach across university channels (emails, professors, campus promotion, sitenotices), we expect to engage approximately 75 unique individuals over the 12-month grant period. Participation will include both newcomers and returning community members. |
| Number of editors | 75 | We expect most participants in workshops and editathons to make at least one edit, resulting in approximately 75 active editors over the grant period. This includes an estimated 55 newly registered users (primarily students) and around 20 returning editors from the Slovenian Wikimedia community who will contribute and support newcomers. |
| Number of organizers | 4 | The project will be implemented by a small volunteer organizing team of four people: two main WikiClub coordinators responsible for planning and delivering activities, supported by two members of the Wikipedians of Slovenia User Group who will provide occasional guidance, community support, and assistance with coordination. |
| Wikimedia project | Number of content created or improved |
|---|---|
| Wikipedia | 300 |
| Wikimedia Commons | 1500 |
| Wikidata | 300 |
| Wiktionary | |
| Wikisource | |
| Wikimedia Incubator | |
| Translatewiki | |
| MediaWiki | |
| Wikiquote | |
| Wikivoyage | |
| Wikibooks | |
| Wikiversity | |
| Wikinews | |
| Wikispecies | |
| Wikifunctions or Abstract Wikipedia |
- Optional description for content contributions.
Contributions will mainly come from thematic edit-a-thons improving Slovenian Wikipedia content and from local documentation activities resulting in uploads to Wikimedia Commons.
- 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)
To measure the core metrics of this project, we will use existing Wikimedia outreach and reporting tools:
- Number of participants and editors
We will track event participation and editing activity using the Programs & Events Dashboard for workshops and edit-a-thons. Where appropriate, we will also use Event Metrics to summarize participation and contributions.
- Number of organizers
The number of organizers will be tracked manually, based on the small project team involved in planning and facilitating activities.
- Number of content contributions (Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons)
Contributions such as articles created or improved and files uploaded will be measured through the Programs & Events Dashboard and supported by Event Metrics. For Commons-focused activities, contributions may also be tracked through relevant categories and tools such as the Wikimedia Hashtags tool or Wiki Loves tools, if applicable.
- Additional reporting and documentation
Each major activity will also be documented through public on-wiki event pages and post-event reports, providing qualitative context alongside quantitative metrics.
If needed, we are open to receiving additional support from the Community Resources team in selecting the most appropriate measurement tools for specific activities.
Financial proposal
[edit]- 21. Please upload your budget for this proposal or indicate the link to it. (required)
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ijk4W2VnWwcNUg60cb5k1H5Nr-kbVLFrztBg9Dkllic/edit?usp=sharing
- 22. and 22.1. What is the amount you are requesting for this proposal? Please provide the amount in your local currency. (required)
3470 EUR
- 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.
4064.2 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).