Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Rapid Fund/Empowering Wikimedia Bangladesh:Enhancing Capacity and Engagement Across Regions (ID: 22595411)

From Meta, a Wikimedia project coordination wiki
statusUnder review
Empowering Wikimedia Bangladesh: Enhancing Capacity and Engagement Across Regions
proposed start date2024-06-01
proposed end date2024-12-31
budget (local currency)550607.2 BDT
budget (USD)4966.48 USD
grant typeWikimedia Affiliate (chapter, thematic org., or user group)
funding regionSA
decision fiscal year2023-24
applicant• Tarunno
organization (if applicable)• Wikimedia Bangladesh Foundation

This is an automatically generated Meta-Wiki page. The page was copied from Fluxx, the grantmaking web service of Wikimedia Foundation where the user has submitted their application. Please do not make any changes to this page because all changes will be removed after the next update. Use the discussion page for your feedback. The page was created by CR-FluxxBot.

Applicant Details[edit]

Main Wikimedia username. (required)

Tarunno

Organization

Wikimedia Bangladesh Foundation

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)

I'm a board member or president of a Wikimedia Affiliate or mission-allied organization.

Describe all relevant roles with the name of the group or organization and description of the role. (required)

1. Shabab Mustafa - President 2. Masum al Hasan - General Secretary

Main Proposal[edit]

1. Please state the title of your proposal. This will also be the Meta-Wiki page title.

Empowering Wikimedia Bangladesh: Enhancing Capacity and Engagement Across Regions

2. and 3. Proposed start and end dates for the proposal.

2024-06-01 - 2024-12-31

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

Bangladesh

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)

The change we aim to bring through this proposal is the empowerment and enrichment of Wikimedia Bangladesh's community and outreach efforts. We recognize the importance of fostering a vibrant and engaged community of contributors and volunteers across various regions in Bangladesh. The main challenges or problems we are trying to address include:

  1. Limited Capacity and Engagement: There is a need to enhance the capacity and engagement of Wikimedia Bangladesh's community members, particularly in underrepresented regions of the country. Many potential contributors may lack the necessary skills, knowledge, or awareness to actively participate in Wikimedia projects.
  2. Geographical Disparities: There are disparities in participation and access to Wikimedia initiatives across different cities and regions in Bangladesh. Some areas may have fewer opportunities for engagement, leading to a lack of representation and diversity within the Wikimedia community.
  3. Resource Constraints: Limited resources, both financial and human, pose challenges in organizing and sustaining community-building activities, workshops, and events across multiple locations.

To address these challenges and bring about positive change, our main approaches include:

  1. Capacity Building Workshops: Organizing skills development and leadership workshops for volunteers, both online and in-person, to equip them with the necessary knowledge and tools to contribute effectively to Wikimedia projects.
  2. Regional Outreach: Conducting Wiki Meetups, WikiCamps, and workshops in underrepresented cities and regions of Bangladesh to promote awareness, participation, and engagement with Wikimedia initiatives.
  3. Community Collaboration: Facilitating collaborations and partnerships with educational institutions, local organizations, and community groups to broaden the reach and impact of Wikimedia activities across the country.
  4. Sustainable Support: Securing funding to support ongoing expenses such as staff salaries, web hosting, and domain renewals, ensuring the sustainability and continuity of Wikimedia Bangladesh's outreach and capacity-building efforts.

By addressing these challenges and implementing these approaches, we aim to foster a more inclusive, diverse, and empowered Wikimedia community in Bangladesh, capable of contributing meaningfully to the global knowledge-sharing ecosystem.

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. Capacity Building Workshops:

  • Organize online workshops to enhance the skills and leadership abilities of Wikimedia Bangladesh volunteers.
  • Conduct in-person workshops to provide hands-on training and support for new contributors.

2. Wiki Meetups:

  • Host Wiki Meetups in various cities across Bangladesh to bring together Wikimedia enthusiasts, share experiences, and discuss collaborative projects.

3. WikiCamps:

  • Organize day-long WikiCamps in two different cities, bringing together Wikimedians for networking, skill-sharing, and collaborative editing sessions.

4. Online Edit-a-thons:

  • Host online edit-a-thons focused on specific themes or topics to encourage participation from a diverse range of contributors.

5. Community Engagement at Educational Institutions:

  • Conduct in-person workshops and presentations at educational institutions in underrepresented cities to introduce students to Wikimedia projects and encourage their participation.

6. Photo Walks and Travel Related Cost Reimbursement:

  • Organize photo walks in different cities to capture images for Wikimedia Commons, with provisions for travel cost reimbursement to facilitate participation.

7. Web Hosting, Domain Renewals, and Website Maintenance:

  • Cover expenses for web hosting services, domain renewals for multiple domains, and yearly website maintenance to ensure the smooth functioning of Wikimedia Bangladesh's online platforms.

8. Refreshments for Wiki Meetups:

  • Provide refreshments and snacks during Wiki Meetups to create a welcoming and conducive environment for networking and collaboration.

These activities will be conducted to strengthen the Wikimedia community in Bangladesh, enhance capacity and engagement, and promote the sharing of knowledge and information through Wikimedia projects.


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.

Our chapter operates with a dedicated team comprising nine Executive Committee members, elected during our annual general meeting. The Executive Committee is responsible for setting strategic directions and making key decisions regarding our chapter's goals and activities. In addition to the Executive Committee, our board members actively participate as volunteers, hosting edit-a-thons, workshop, photowalk and online events to further our mission.

To enhance our operational efficiency and ensure the effective execution of our activities, we plan to employ a paid staff. The staff will play crucial roles in planning and executing our initiatives, allowing us to maximize our impact and reach within the community.

In addition, we will took support from the active Wikimedians.

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 target participants for our activities include:

  1. Wikimedia Bangladesh Volunteers: These are individuals actively involved in contributing to Wikimedia projects, such as Wikipedia editing, content creation, and community building.
  2. Students and Educators: We aim to engage students and educators from educational institutions across Bangladesh to introduce them to Wikimedia projects and encourage their participation.
  3. General Public: We also welcome participation from members of the general public who may have an interest in contributing to Wikimedia projects or learning more about free knowledge and open access to information.

To engage participants before and during the activities, we will employ the following strategies:

1. Pre-Activity Engagement:

  • Outreach Campaigns: We will use various channels, including social media, mailing lists, and local community networks, to promote upcoming activities and invite participation.
  • Online Registration: Participants will be encouraged to register for events through online platforms or by contacting designated organizers, enabling us to gauge interest and plan logistics accordingly.
  • Informational Sessions: Prior to larger events or workshops, we may organize informational sessions or webinars to provide participants with an overview of the agenda, objectives, and expectations.

2. During the Activities:

  • Interactive Sessions: Events and workshops will be designed to facilitate active participation, group discussions, and hands-on activities, ensuring meaningful engagement and knowledge exchange among participants.
  • Networking Opportunities: We will allocate time for networking breaks and informal interactions, allowing participants to connect with each other, share experiences, and build relationships.
  • Feedback Mechanisms: Regular feedback sessions will be incorporated into the activities to solicit input from participants, address any concerns or questions, and gather suggestions for improvement.

3. Post-Activity Follow-up:

  • Feedback Surveys: After each activity, participants will be invited to complete feedback surveys to provide their thoughts on the event's content, organization, and overall experience.
  • Follow-up Communications: We will maintain communication with participants through email updates, newsletters, and social media posts, sharing relevant resources, upcoming opportunities, and ways to stay involved with Wikimedia Bangladesh.
  • Community Building Initiatives: We will explore opportunities to continue engaging participants beyond individual events, such as forming online discussion groups, organizing follow-up workshops, or collaborating on Wikimedia projects.

By implementing these strategies, we aim to foster active participation, meaningful engagement, and long-term involvement from our target participants, contributing to the growth and sustainability of the Wikimedia community in Bangladesh.

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.

In our longstanding tradition spanning over a decade, we have consistently organized the proposed events, experiencing enthusiastic participation from community members. Through our repeated engagements, we have observed a strong desire among community members to continue and regularize these activities. Recognizing the value and enthusiasm demonstrated by the community, we are committed to sustaining and expanding these events to further enrich our community engagement efforts.

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)

Not applicable

14. Will your work focus on involving participants from any underrepresented communities? Select one option that most apply to your work. (required)

Not applicable

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. Effectiveness of Community Engagement Efforts: How effective are our community engagement activities, such as workshops, meetups, and edit-a-thons, in attracting and retaining participants?
  2. Impact of Capacity Building Workshops: What is the impact of our capacity-building workshops on the skills development and leadership abilities of volunteers, and how does this contribute to their continued engagement with Wikimedia projects?
  3. Regional Outreach and Participation: To what extent do our regional outreach efforts succeed in engaging participants from underrepresented cities and regions in Bangladesh, and what factors contribute to their participation?
  4. Quality of Contributions: What is the quality of contributions made by participants during edit-a-thons and other collaborative editing sessions, and how does this contribute to the improvement of Wikimedia content?
  5. Long-Term Engagement and Retention: How successful are we in fostering long-term engagement and retention of participants beyond individual events, and what strategies are most effective in sustaining their involvement with Wikimedia projects?
  6. Partnership and Collaboration Impact: What is the impact of our partnerships and collaborations with educational institutions, local organizations, and community groups on the reach, diversity, and effectiveness of our community engagement efforts?
  7. Resource Allocation and Sustainability: How effectively are we utilizing resources, such as staff salaries, web hosting, and domain renewals, to support our community engagement activities, and what adjustments may be needed to ensure long-term sustainability?

By addressing these learning questions, we aim to gain insights into the effectiveness of our efforts, identify areas for improvement, and inform future planning and decision-making processes to enhance the impact and reach of Wikimedia Bangladesh's community engagement initiatives.

18. What are your Wikimedia project targets in numbers (metrics)? (required)
Number of participants, editors, and organizers
Other Metrics Target Optional description
Number of participants 200 Our target is to engage at least 200 participants in a variety of activities, including edit-a-thons, photowalk, awareness-building session, worskshop and more.
Number of editors 100 We expect around 100 participants to contribute by creating at least one article or uploading one photo across all activities, comprising 80 new editors and 20 retained editors.
Number of organizers 15 According to the plan, approximately 10 organizers will be actively involved in running the activities. Additionally, we aim to onboard 5 new organizers through our various activities.
Number of content contributions to Wikimedia projects
Wikimedia project Number of content created or improved
Wikipedia 50
Wikimedia Commons 250
Wikidata 100
Wiktionary
Wikisource
Wikimedia Incubator
Translatewiki
MediaWiki
Wikiquote
Wikivoyage
Wikibooks
Wikiversity
Wikinews
Wikispecies
Wikifunctions or Abstract Wikipedia
Optional description for content contributions.

We will also explore additional activities aimed at enriching Bangla Wikimedia projects and fostering their growth and development.

19. Do you have any other project targets in numbers (metrics)? (optional)

Yes

Main Open Metrics Data
Main Open Metrics Description Target
Participants of Wikicamp We plan to organize in-person WikiCamps in two cities, expecting approximately 10 participants in each location. 20
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)

For measuring metrics, we'll use tools like fountain, attendance sheets, and surveys. If unsure, we'll seek guidance from the Wikimedia Foundation or relevant community resources.

Financial proposal[edit]

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

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1qcGxubtCCNRm8oIt7yIkR2ErY8ZBXxyetMYrSoThKNo


22. and 22.1. What is the amount you are requesting for this proposal? Please provide the amount in your local currency. (required)

550607.2 BDT

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.

4966.48 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).

Endorse