Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Rapid Fund/Launch and Year-long Activities of the WikiTech Club at UDS (ID: 22927100)
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Applicant Details
[edit]- Main Wikimedia username. (required)
Abdulai Yorli Iddrisu (WMDE)
- Organization
Wikitech Hub University for Development Studies
- 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.
Launch and Year-long Activities of the WikiTech Club at UDS
- 2. and 3. Proposed start and end dates for the proposal.
2025-04-11 - 2025-12-22
- 4. Where will this proposal be implemented? (required)
Ghana
- 5. Are your activities part of a Wikimedia movement campaign, project, or event? If so, please select the relevant project or campaign. (required)
Wikimedia Hackathon
- 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 WikiTech Club at the University for Development Studies aims to address the gap in digital literacy and active participation in open knowledge-sharing among students. By introducing structured programs such as workshops, edit-a-thons, and hackathons, the club will empower students with the skills to contribute to Wikimedia projects and engage in creating and curating content relevant to Ghana and Africa.
This initiative seeks to:
Promote digital literacy by teaching students how to effectively use and contribute to Wikimedia platforms. Increase contributions to Wikimedia projects by focusing on local content creation and knowledge gaps. Foster a culture of collaboration and open knowledge-sharing among students, enabling them to become part of the global Wikimedia community. Through these efforts, the WikiTech Club will inspire students to actively contribute to the free knowledge movement while developing their technical and research skills.
- 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.
The planned activities for the WikiTech Club at the University for Development Studies include:
Workshops on Wikimedia Projects
Monthly workshops to train participants on how to contribute to Wikipedia, Wikidata, and other Wikimedia platforms. Focus on editing, content creation, and using Wikimedia tools effectively. Edit-a-thons and Content Creation Drives
Organize regular edit-a-thons to improve and create articles, especially those related to Ghana, African culture, and underrepresented topics. Focus on addressing content gaps in local languages. Hackathons and Tech Talks
Host hackathons to develop tools or solutions for Wikimedia projects. Invite guest speakers for tech talks on open-source development and knowledge sharing. Outreach Programs
Partner with local schools, clubs, and communities to raise awareness of Wikimedia projects. Recruit and train new members to join the WikiTech Club and contribute to Wikimedia. Collaborations and Partnerships
Collaborate with Wikimedia Ghana User Group to leverage their expertise and resources. Build partnerships with local tech communities and educational institutions to expand reach. Club Member Development
Offer skill-building sessions on digital literacy, research, and writing. Provide mentorship and support to members for advanced Wikimedia contributions. Annual Showcase Event
Host a year-end event to highlight the achievements of the club, including contributions made to Wikimedia projects, and recognize outstanding members. Timeline Document: A detailed timeline outlining these activities will be uploaded to provide clarity and structure for implementation.
- 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.
Team Description
Our team comprises dedicated and enthusiastic students from the University for Development Studies, committed to advancing open knowledge and fostering contributions to Wikimedia projects through the WikiTech Club initiative. Below are the team members and their respective roles:
Abdulai Yorli Iddrisu
Wiki Username: Abdulai Yorli Iddrisu (WMDE) Role: Lead and Coordinator Responsibilities: Overseeing the overall planning and execution of club activities. Building partnerships with Wikimedia affiliates and other stakeholders. Ensuring the club's alignment with Wikimedia's mission and vision. Status: Volunteer Abdul Razak Abdul Hafiz
Wiki Username: Hafiz Tech Role: Vice Lead Responsibilities: Assisting the lead in coordination and management of activities. Supervising outreach and engagement initiatives. Supporting the team in decision-making processes. Status: Volunteer Hamid Hamdan
Wiki Username: iPhone Thirteen Role: Technical Lead Responsibilities: Managing technical aspects of the club’s events and activities. Providing hands-on support during hackathons and training sessions. Creating technical guides and ensuring effective use of Wikimedia tools. Status: Volunteer Hamidu Nashiru
Wiki Username: Big Nash Tech Role: Programs Manager Responsibilities: Designing and scheduling the club’s programs and events. Coordinating logistics for workshops, edit-a-thons, and hackathons. Ensuring successful execution of planned activities. Status: Volunteer Group Affiliation The team operates under the WikiTech Club, an informal Wikimedia group based at the University for Development Studies. The group is dedicated to enhancing digital literacy, increasing Wikimedia project contributions, and cultivating a culture of open knowledge sharing among students.
Note All team members are volunteers, committed to making the WikiTech Club a sustainable and impactful initiative. Each member plays a crucial role in fostering collaboration, creativity, and knowledge-sharing within the community.
- 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)
Target Participants and Community
Target Participants
Primary Audience:
University students from the University for Development Studies, particularly those with an interest in technology, digital skills, and knowledge sharing. Students from diverse academic disciplines who are enthusiastic about contributing to open knowledge and Wikimedia projects. Secondary Audience:
Young professionals and alumni who wish to contribute to Wikimedia projects or mentor students. Educators interested in incorporating Wikimedia tools into their teaching practices. Community
The WikiTech Club aims to engage the university community in Northern Ghana while fostering inclusivity by inviting underrepresented groups, such as women in tech, to participate actively. The broader Wikimedia community will also be involved through partnerships, support, and mentorship. Engagement Before Activities
Awareness Campaigns:
Promote the club and its activities through on-campus campaigns, social media channels, and university notice boards. Host introductory sessions and roadshows to introduce Wikimedia projects and the club's vision. Use email and WhatsApp groups to disseminate information to interested participants. Collaborations:
Partner with faculty members and student organizations to increase visibility and credibility. Leverage existing networks within the Wikimedia community for support and resources. Engagement During Activities
Interactive Sessions:
Organize workshops, hackathons, and edit-a-thons that encourage hands-on participation. Provide step-by-step guides and mentorship to ensure participants gain skills and confidence in contributing to Wikimedia projects. Community Building:
Foster a collaborative and inclusive environment where participants feel valued and supported. Use gamification and rewards, such as certificates and recognition, to motivate participants. Follow-Up After Activities
Continuous Support:
Create and manage online platforms (e.g., WhatsApp or Telegram groups) to maintain communication with participants. Offer regular virtual or in-person check-ins to support participants in their contributions to Wikimedia projects. Skill Enhancement:
Provide advanced training sessions for participants who wish to deepen their involvement in Wikimedia contributions. Connect participants with the global Wikimedia community for mentorship opportunities. Feedback Mechanisms:
Conduct surveys and feedback sessions to assess the impact of the activities and identify areas for improvement. Use participant feedback to shape future activities and ensure they meet the needs of the community. Sustained Engagement:
Encourage participants to take leadership roles within the WikiTech Club or start their own initiatives. Organize recognition events to celebrate achievements and encourage continued participation. By targeting and engaging these groups effectively, the WikiTech Club seeks to create a vibrant and active community of contributors to Wikimedia projects while fostering a culture of digital literacy and open knowledge sharing.
- 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.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YaEbjffNirB7XEi3nZGzjlJq6mQvW0vXcZdL5t3KM28/edit?usp=sharing
- 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.
I have had informal conversations with the Head of the Department of Computer Science and other faculty members at the University for Development Studies to discuss the concept and goals of the WikiTech Club. These discussions focused on the club's potential to improve digital literacy, enhance students' technical skills, and contribute to Wikimedia projects. The feedback was positive, and the faculty expressed their support for the initiative.
Additionally, I engaged with students in the Computer Science department to gauge their interest and gather ideas for the club's activities. Their enthusiastic response highlighted the need for a platform to promote knowledge sharing and foster a culture of open collaboration.
While there have been no formal on-wiki discussions yet, we plan to initiate a broader dialogue with the Wikimedia community and other local Wikimedia User Groups. This will ensure alignment with Wikimedia's goals and create opportunities for collaboration with ongoing projects in the region.
We will document these steps and provide links to the formal on-wiki discussions once they are created.
- 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)
Geography
- 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)
Geographic
- 15. In what ways do you think your proposal most contributes to the Movement Strategy 2030 recommendations. Select one that most applies. (required)
Invest in Skills and Leadership Development
Learning and metrics
[edit]- 17. What do you hope to learn from your work in this project or proposal? (required)
From this project, we hope to learn the following: 1. Effectiveness of Engagement Strategies: • How effective are our workshops and training sessions in increasing participants’ skills in Wikimedia editing, content creation, and open knowledge contribution? • What methods best sustain participant interest and long-term involvement in Wikimedia activities? 2. Impact on Knowledge Gaps: • To what extent does the WikiTech Club contribute to bridging digital literacy and Wikimedia content gaps, particularly in underrepresented communities? • How does increased participation in Wikimedia activities improve access to culturally relevant content? 3. Community Building and Leadership Development: • How well does the project foster a sense of community and collaboration among students and participants? • What leadership skills do participants develop through their involvement, and how do these skills translate to broader community engagement? 4. Sustainability and Scalability: • What challenges arise in maintaining the club’s activities and expanding its reach? • What are the most effective strategies for building long-term partnerships and securing resources to sustain and scale the project?
By answering these questions, we aim to evaluate the project’s impact, improve its implementation, and create a replicable model for similar initiatives in other institutions or regions.
- 18. What are your Wikimedia project targets in numbers (metrics)? (required)
| Other Metrics | Target | Optional description |
|---|---|---|
| Number of participants | 150 | |
| Number of editors | 80 | |
| Number of organizers | 8 |
| Wikimedia project | Number of content created or improved |
|---|---|
| Wikipedia | 150 |
| Wikimedia Commons | 40 |
| Wikidata | 60 |
| Wiktionary | |
| Wikisource | |
| Wikimedia Incubator | |
| Translatewiki | |
| MediaWiki | |
| Wikiquote | |
| Wikivoyage | |
| Wikibooks | 20 |
| Wikiversity | 30 |
| 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)
I would use the following tools to measure progress for each metric: 1. Google Analytics: To track website traffic and user engagement. 2. Surveys and Feedback Forms (e.g., Google Forms): To gather qualitative feedback from users. 3. Project Management Tools (e.g., Trello, Asana): To monitor milestone completions. 4. Social Media Analytics Tools: To measure reach and engagement on social platforms. 5. Manual Tracking: For metrics not covered by automated tools (e.g., partnerships secured or events held).
I may need support in selecting or implementing some of these tools effectively.
Financial proposal
[edit]- 21. Please upload your budget for this proposal or indicate the link to it. (required)
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HK3HgRpcZtveQNXUmUZS0KRBiMH-rKToFJ9Mw4gz5gU/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)
71500 GHS
- 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.
4838.82 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).