Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Rapid Fund/From visuals to words:Enhancing Namibian films content project (ID: 23099681)
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Applicant Details
[edit]- Main Wikimedia username. (required)
Martin Hipangwa
- 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)
I'm a group leader of a Wikimedia User Group (submitted to the Affiliation Committee).
- Describe all relevant roles with the name of the group or organization and description of the role. (required)
I'm a group leader and Founder of Wikimedia Community User Group Namibia: I am responsible for leading and providing strategic direction of the user group
Main Proposal
[edit]- 1. Please state the title of your proposal. This will also be the Meta-Wiki page title.
From visuals to words: Enhancing Namibian films content project
- 2. and 3. Proposed start and end dates for the proposal.
2025-08-15 - 2025-09-15
- 4. Where will this proposal be implemented? (required)
Namibia
- 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) AfroCreatives-FESPACO project
- 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)
From visuals to words: Enhancing Namibian films content project: Though Namibia has a significant legacy of film and storytelling, there is a scarcity of representation for local artists, films, organizations, and festivals on Wikipedia, Wikidata, and Wikimedia Commons. This absence of visibility impedes the global recognition of Namibia’s cultural contributions and limits the chances for creatives to achieve acknowledgment beyond their national boundaries.
Last year we had our first Namibia/AfroCreatives-FESPACO project last year [ https://outreachdashboard.wmflabs.org/courses/Wikimedia_Community_User_Group_Namibia/AfroCreatives-FESPACO_2024_Edit-a-thon_in_Namibia] which was a success provided it was run on voluntary basis with no funds. Despite ongoing efforts, there remains a significant content gap regarding the visibility of Namibian actors, films, movies, and organizations associated with this industry. This year, the project aims to create and enhance existing articles on Wikipedia and provide relevant data on Wikidata.
There are very few articles about Namibian filmmakers, actors, historic films, institutions, and cinematic achievements, resulting in limited access to local film knowledge both nationally and internationally. Only 24 film set in Namibia in the category (Films set in Namibia) which does not represent what the film industry has achieved for years. This highlightings the significant content gap and underrepresentation of Tanzanian creatives in the global Wikimedia ecosystem.
Participation in Wikimedia projects remains low among creatives, primarily due to a lack of awareness about how these platforms function and the value they offer in terms of visibility and knowledge sharing. Last year we only had one person from creatives who participated in the project but the output was relatively low. This issue is further complicated by limited digital access and skills, particularly in rural areas, where artists and cultural professionals often encounter technical and infrastructural barriers that hinder their contributions. Additionally, there is a noticeable gender and regional imbalance, as women and creatives from underrepresented regions are rarely featured on global knowledge platforms. This leads to an incomplete and distorted representation of Namibia's rich and diverse film landscape.
The change we aimed to archive: 1. One of our objective is to create a more inclusive and vibrant representation of the Namibian film industry on Wikidata and Wikipedia, enhancing the documentation and visibility of notable filmmakers, actors, film institutions, and works that shape Namibia’s cultural identity. 2. This project will enable Wikimedia volunteers an opportunity for improving their skills on editing Wikipedia and Wikidata. Additionally, the project aims to to empower local creatives like filmmakers and actresses, helping them gain the skills and confidence to use Wikipedia for storytelling, education, and visibility. A key focus will be increasing the participation of women and youth, especially from marginalized communities, whose voices are often underrepresented in mainstream media and open knowledge platforms such as Wikipedia.
Our main approaches will include: ● Training workshops and edit-a-thons: We will conduct two hybrid training workshops and one continuous edit-a-thon to introduce creatives, filmmakers, and cultural professionals to Wikipedia and Wikidata editing. These sessions will focus on enhancing representation of the Namibian film industry by equipping participants with skills to document Namibian Film industry work online.
● Partnership: To strengthen the initiative, we will collaborate with local institutions such as Goethe Institut Namibia, the Namibia Film Commission, media outlets, and film festivals. These partnerships aim to engage a broad range of contributors and ensure diverse perspectives are reflected.
● Prizes and Awards: To motivate and encourage participation, prizes and certificates will be awarded to top contributors, with public recognition shared via our social media platforms.
● To ensure awareness and advocacy, ongoing engagement will be supported through community events and social media outreach to raise awareness, celebrate contributions, and inspire continued involvement in promoting the Namibia film industry online.
- 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.
● Training workshop * 2 : We will conduct two hybrid training workshops to introduce participants to Wikipedia and Wikidata editing. We plan to partner with Goethe Institut for space for at least 1 Training session, since we can not use the space twice in a month due to other ongoing projects. ● Editathon sessions *4 :These sessions will focus on enhancing the representation of the Namibian film industry by equipping participants with skills to document Namibian Film industry work online (Both Wikipedia and Wikidata). The balance will be ensured.
- 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.
The team consist of three volunteers and an advisor in a voluntary capacity as follows:
1. Martin Hipangwa: Project Coordinator. He will lead the training workshops and edit-a-thons, teaching participants how to contribute to Wikipedia. Will deal with administration of the project and ensure timely completion Username: Martin Hipangwa
2. Martin Shikoha: Lead Trainer. He will lead the editathon sessions, manage partnerships, and lead community outreach efforts. Username:Tatiko Shikoha
3. Susana Simon: She will lead logistics and social media. Username: Suzeen Simon
Ceslause Ogbonnaya is the Wikimedian-In-Residence and continental project lead for AfroCreatives WikiProject and serves as a strategic adviser for the project. He provides guidance on project alignment with the broader goals of AfroCreatives across Africa, supports in developing scalable approaches, and shares expertise in engaging creative communities. User:Ceslause
- 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 this project are existing Wikimedia volunteers, creatives in the Namibia film industry such as filmmakers, directors, screenwriters, actors, and film and media students as well as those interested in contributing to Wikipedia and Wikidata. To engage participants before the project activities begin, we will partner with institutions like the Goethe Institut, Namibia National Theater, media houses, and film festival organisers. We will also raise awareness and invite participants through social media campaigns, community outreach events, and direct invitations shared through creative industry networks.
- 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 the efforts of crafting this project, consultations was done with community leaders and participants who participated last year, to discuss feedback on last year project and how we can do it better this year. We have also consulted experienced Wikimedians and direct engagements with participants from the AfroCreatives WikiProject Campaign 2024. The insights gathered from these interactions helped us identify content gaps, community needs, and opportunities to strengthen local participation. This collaborative approach ensured the proposal is rooted in real experiences and aligned with the interests of both Wikimedia contributors and the Namibia creative community.
- 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)
Other Important Topics (topics considered to be of impact or important in the specific context)
- 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)
Digital Access
- 15. In what ways do you think your proposal most contributes to the Movement Strategy 2030 recommendations. Select one that most applies. (required)
Improve User Experience
Learning and metrics
[edit]- 17. What do you hope to learn from your work in this project or proposal? (required)
How can Wikimedia projects be made more accessible and relevant to filmmakers and creatives in Namibia? This includes understanding barriers to participation and identifying effective outreach and training methods.
What are the most effective approaches to documenting the Namibian film industry, its history, and its key players through Wikimedia projects?
This will help us refine our content creation strategy and ensure we are filling meaningful knowledge gaps.
How can partnerships with local institutions (like the Goethe Institut, Namibia Film Comission, National Theater of Namibia and Media Houses) strengthen awareness, participation, and sustainability of Wikimedia projects in the creative sector? We want to measure the impact of collaboration and co-creation with local stakeholders.
- 18. What are your Wikimedia project targets in numbers (metrics)? (required)
| Other Metrics | Target | Optional description |
|---|---|---|
| Number of participants | 20 | New participant: 10
Returning participant: 10 |
| Number of editors | 20 | Newly Registered Users (new editors): 10
Returning editors: 10 |
| Number of organizers | 3 |
| Wikimedia project | Number of content created or improved |
|---|---|
| Wikipedia | 40 |
| Wikimedia Commons | |
| Wikidata | 200 |
| 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)
Dashboard
Financial proposal
[edit]- 21. Please upload your budget for this proposal or indicate the link to it. (required)
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-XAQyNuV_lqLSWXjzW0c384kMw8MvOUg77rmU-A_bzU/edit?gid=0#gid=0
- 22. and 22.1. What is the amount you are requesting for this proposal? Please provide the amount in your local currency. (required)
29750 NAD
- 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.
1563 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).