Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Rapid Fund/SWiP Train-the-Trainer workshop (ID: 22826217)
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Applicant Details
[edit]- Main Wikimedia username. (required)
gogontsi
- 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.
SWiP Train-the-Trainer workshop
- 2. and 3. Proposed start and end dates for the proposal.
2024-12-02 - 2025-05-30
- 4. Where will this proposal be implemented? (required)
South Africa
- 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) The SWiP project is a collaborative initiative between SADiLaR, Wikipedia, and PanSALB. The first phase of the project commenced in September 2023 and will conclude on 30 October 2024. During this phase, we facilitated Wikipedia Authorship workshops at 11 universities across South Africa, providing training to lecturers, students, and members of the broader community on how to effectively use and contribute to Wikipedia. The link to the project is below https://outreachdashboard.wmflabs.org/courses/SADiLaR,_Wikipedia,_PanSALB/SWiP_Workshops
The second phase of the project will begin on 01 November 2024 and run until 30 October 2027. In the first year of this phase, we will focus on conducting "Train-the-Trainer" sessions. These sessions aim to expand our pool of volunteers qualified to conduct Wikipedia Authorship training. This approach will not only increase the capacity for training across the country but will also allow us to establish a comprehensive database of trainers. This database will serve as a critical resource for the subsequent activities and goals of the second phase of the SWiP 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)
The SWiP project brings significant and multi-faceted changes that impact both digital knowledge ecosystems and cultural preservation efforts in South Africa. Below are the key changes the project drives, the project will focus on training 30 volunteers to be Wikipedia trainers.
1. Cultural and Linguistic Preservation
By encouraging contributions to Wikipedia in indigenous South African official languages, the SWiP project actively promotes the preservation of these languages. This creates a digital repository where local languages are documented, expanding their presence in the global knowledge sphere. The project plays a vital role in preserving cultural narratives, traditional knowledge, and heritage through online authorship. The content created by participants ensures that the unique linguistic and cultural elements of South Africa are sustained for future generations.
2. Empowerment through Education and Skills Development
The workshops provide participants with the skills to navigate and contribute to one of the largest knowledge-sharing platforms in the world. By learning Wikipedia authorship, participants gain digital literacy skills that are transferable to other areas of their academic, professional, and personal lives. Community Engagement and Participation: The project encourages active participation from a diverse group of individuals—lecturers, students, and community members. This inclusive approach empowers marginalized communities to share their knowledge and ensure their cultural identities are represented online.
3. Capacity Building and Sustainability
In the second phase, the "Train-the-Trainer" sessions will expand the project's reach by creating a growing base of individuals capable of conducting Wikipedia authorship workshops. This builds internal capacity, ensuring the project’s sustainability and scalability beyond its initial phase. By creating a comprehensive database of trained volunteers, the SWiP project ensures continuity in training efforts, offering a reliable resource that can be mobilized to drive future initiatives. This allows the project to remain dynamic and responsive to emerging needs in the digital space.
4. Increased Accessibility to Knowledge
By contributing content in indigenous languages, the project makes knowledge more accessible to non-English speakers and those whose languages are underrepresented online. This democratization of knowledge ensures more equitable access to information and contributes to reducing the digital divide. The project not only enhances the representation of local languages but also motivates the creation of regionally relevant content. This ensures that knowledge from local communities is accessible on global platforms, offering insights and information that would otherwise remain undocumented.
5. Bridging the Digital Divide
By engaging universities and community members from diverse linguistic backgrounds, the project plays a role in bridging the digital divide. Participants from rural and underserved areas are given opportunities to actively engage in the digital world, contributing content that reflects their local knowledge and experiences. The project provides students and lecturers with new tools for research dissemination. It encourages the inclusion of indigenous knowledge systems in academic discourse and offers new platforms for students to publish their work.
6. Fostering Innovation in Knowledge Sharing
The project transforms Wikipedia from merely a reference site into a platform for active participation in cultural preservation and knowledge dissemination. This shift encourages innovation in how individuals and institutions think about knowledge-sharing platforms and their potential in documenting and preserving heritage. The SWiP project fosters collaboration across universities, institutions, and community members, building networks that support long-term knowledge exchange. This collaborative framework creates a foundation for future projects and interdisciplinary partnerships that focus on knowledge production and preservation.
7. Institutional and National Impact
The involvement of universities in the project strengthens their capacity to engage in digital scholarship and knowledge production. The skills learned through the project can be integrated into curricula, research programs, and broader academic initiatives. By ensuring that South Africa’s official languages and cultures are represented on a global platform, the project contributes to the national agenda of cultural preservation and multilingualism. It reinforces the importance of local knowledge in the global digital narrative, elevating South Africa’s cultural heritage on the international stage.
8. Social Change and Empowerment
The project allows communities to see their languages and cultural contributions reflected on a global platform, which instills pride and strengthens cultural identity. As individuals gain digital literacy skills and become proficient in online authorship, they are better equipped to participate in the broader digital economy. This opens up opportunities for personal and professional growth, especially in underserved communities.
In summary, the SWiP project not only addresses the immediate goal of increasing Wikipedia content in indigenous languages but also drives long-term changes in cultural preservation, digital literacy, and socio-economic empowerment. By enhancing access to knowledge, building capacity, and fostering innovation, the project creates a sustainable framework for ongoing digital and cultural contributions.
- 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.
- 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.
Roles and details for the SWiP project team members:
Gogontsi – Project Manager
Oversees the overall coordination and execution of the SWiP project, ensuring that all phases are delivered on time and within budget. Responsible for managing the project’s resources, timelines, and stakeholder communication to ensure the project’s objectives are met.
Nomsa Skosana – Project Leader
Provides strategic leadership and direction for the SWiP project. Nomsa is responsible for setting the vision, defining project goals, and working closely with the team to ensure alignment with the overarching objectives of the project.
Bobby Shabangu – Lead Facilitator for Train-the-Trainer
As the Lead Facilitator, Bobby is in charge of developing and delivering the Train-the-Trainer sessions. He ensures that trainers are equipped with the necessary skills to conduct Wikipedia authorship workshops and provides guidance on content creation and facilitation techniques.
Herschal Jackson – Assistant Facilitator for Train-the-Trainer
Supports the Lead Facilitator in delivering the Train-the-Trainer sessions. Herschal assists with coordinating training activities, providing technical support, and helping trainers with hands-on practice during the sessions.
These roles are crucial to the success of the SWiP project, particularly in the upcoming Train-the-Trainer phase.
- 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 Communities:
The target participants for the SWiP project’s Train-the-Trainer sessions and related activities include:
Lecturers and Educators from universities and educational institutions across South Africa, particularly those involved in indigenous language studies and digital literacy.
University Students from various academic disciplines who are interested in contributing to the preservation and digital documentation of indigenous languages.
Community Leaders and Members from rural and urban areas with a strong cultural or linguistic background, especially in the nine indigenous languages of South Africa.
Cultural Enthusiasts and Language Activists who are passionate about preserving cultural heritage and expanding Wikipedia content in their native languages.
Engagement Before the Activities:
We will conduct outreach through educational institutions, cultural organizations, and social media platforms to inform target participants about the project’s objectives and the opportunity to participate in the Train-the-Trainer sessions.Partnering with universities and language-focused NGOs to identify key participants who can contribute effectively to the program.Host virtual or in-person information sessions to introduce the project, explain the benefits of participation, and outline the training process.
Engagement During the Activities:
During the Train-the-Trainer workshops, participants will engage in hands-on activities, group discussions, and collaborative editing tasks to enhance their learning experience. Tailored workshops will be offered in different indigenous languages to ensure inclusivity and relevance for all participants. Regular check-ins and updates will be provided throughout the training sessions via email, messaging platforms, and online forums to keep participants engaged and informed.
Follow-Up After the Activities:
After each training session, participants will complete feedback surveys to assess the effectiveness of the workshops and identify areas for improvement. We will establish a mentorship program and peer-support groups, allowing participants to connect with experienced facilitators and other trainees for guidance and continued learning. Participants will be added to a central database and mailing list to receive updates on future activities, new resources, and opportunities for collaboration within the SWiP project. We will track participants' Wikipedia contributions and offer additional support and training as needed to ensure continued engagement and growth in their authorship skills.
This comprehensive engagement strategy will ensure that participants remain active and connected before, during, and after their involvement in the project.
- 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 SWiP (SADiLaR-Wikipedia-PanSALB) project's train-the-trainer sessions were initiated with a strong emphasis on community engagement and collaboration. We began by hosting an informational meeting with community members, educators, and local stakeholders to introduce the project, its objectives, and its significance for language preservation. During this meeting, we encouraged open discussions, inviting feedback and suggestions to ensure that the community felt invested in the initiative.
To foster further dialogue, we established a dedicated online platform where community members could access information about the project, share their thoughts, and pose questions. This platform served as a space for ongoing discussion, allowing us to refine our approach based on community input.
We collaborated with local organizations and educational institutions to align our activities with existing projects in the area. By identifying synergies, we ensured that our efforts complemented ongoing initiatives, thereby maximizing impact and fostering a sense of collective ownership.
We also conducted workshops to provide hands-on training, demonstrating the tools and methodologies that would be employed during the train-the-trainer sessions. This not only built capacity within the community but also created a collaborative environment where participants could contribute ideas and strategies for effective implementation.
Throughout this process, we maintained transparency by documenting our discussions and decisions on relevant platforms, encouraging continuous engagement and feedback. This inclusive approach not only empowered community members but also enriched the project by integrating diverse perspectives and local knowledge.
- 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)
Cultural background, ethnicity, religion, racial
- 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)
Ethnic/racial/religious or cultural background
- 15. In what ways do you think your proposal most contributes to the Movement Strategy 2030 recommendations. Select one that most applies. (required)
Coordinate Across Stakeholders
Learning and metrics
[edit]- 17. What do you hope to learn from your work in this project or proposal? (required)
In the context of the SWiP project and the associated train-the-trainer sessions, there are several key learning objectives we aim to achieve. These objectives will help us understand the impact of the project on both the participants and the broader community. The following learning questions will guide our data collection and evaluation process:
How effective are the training methodologies employed in the train-the-trainer sessions?
We want to assess whether the instructional strategies used facilitate effective learning and engagement among participants. What specific skills and knowledge do participants gain through the train-the-trainer sessions?
By evaluating pre- and post-session assessments, we aim to identify the core competencies acquired by trainers and their confidence in disseminating this knowledge. In what ways do the train-the-trainer sessions enhance the participants' ability to contribute to digital language preservation?
We hope to learn how the skills gained translate into practical contributions to Wikipedia and other digital platforms focused on language and cultural preservation. How do community perceptions of language preservation change as a result of the project?
Understanding shifts in attitudes toward language preservation will help us evaluate the project's broader cultural impact within the community. What collaborative networks are established among participants and other community stakeholders as a result of this project?
We are interested in identifying new partnerships and collaborative efforts that emerge from the train-the-trainer sessions, which could lead to sustained community engagement in language preservation. How does the project affect the visibility and representation of marginalized languages and cultures in digital spaces?
By analyzing the contributions made post-training, we aim to gauge the project's success in amplifying voices and narratives that have historically been underrepresented. What challenges do participants face in implementing their training and contributing to digital language preservation?
Identifying obstacles will enable us to adjust future training sessions and support mechanisms to better assist participants in overcoming these challenges. By answering these questions, we hope to gain valuable insights into the effectiveness of our approach and the overall impact of the SWiP project on language preservation efforts in the community. This learning will inform future initiatives and contribute to best practices in similar projects.
- 18. What are your Wikimedia project targets in numbers (metrics)? (required)
| Other Metrics | Target | Optional description |
|---|---|---|
| Number of participants | 30 | |
| Number of editors | 30 | |
| Number of organizers | 4 |
| Wikimedia project | Number of content created or improved |
|---|---|
| Wikipedia | |
| Wikimedia Commons | |
| Wikidata | |
| 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)
The Dashboard
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)
84000 ZAR
- 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.
4866.2 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).