Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Rapid Fund/WIKI LOVES FOLKLORE & FEMINISM IN BOTSWANA (ID: 23645278)/Final Report
Application type: Standard application
Part 1: Project and impact
1. Describe the implemented activities and results achieved. Additionally, share which approaches were most effective in supporting you to achieve the results. (required)
For Wiki Loves Folklore 2026 in Botswana, we took a structured but community-driven approach. We started with two online training sessions to prepare participants on Wikimedia Commons, copyright, and how to document folklore effectively. This gave everyone the confidence and clarity needed before going into the field.
Following the trainings, we conducted a two-day photographic documentation drive in and around Kanye. This activity was intentionally designed as a hybrid engagement, combining practical fieldwork with knowledge-sharing sessions. Participants documented cultural expressions, heritage sites, and elements of folklore, while also engaging in panel discussions and presentations led by heritage custodians and local elders. These interactions provided critical context, authenticity, and depth to the content being documented.
In terms of results, we achieved 672 image uploads on Wikimedia Commons, more than doubling our initial target of 300. Beyond the numbers, we saw strong participation, improved content quality, and meaningful engagement between contributors and local knowledge holders.
What Worked Well
What worked best for us was blending preparation, fieldwork, and community voices. The trainings ensured quality contributions, while the photo drives kept participants actively engaged. Most importantly, involving elders and heritage custodians added depth, authenticity, and a sense of responsibility to how stories and culture were documented.
Overall, the combination of preparation (trainings), practical execution (photo drives), and contextual grounding (community voices) was key to exceeding targets and achieving meaningful, high-impact results.
2. Documentation of your impact. Please use space below to share links that help tell your story, impact, and evaluation. (required)
Share links to:
- Project page on Meta-Wiki or any other Wikimedia project
- Dashboards and tools that you used to track contributions
- Some photos or videos from your event. Remember to share access.
You can also share links to:
- Important social media posts
- Surveys and their results
- Infographics and sound files
- Examples of content edited on Wikimedia projects
Meta-Page:https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Event:Wiki_Loves_Folklore_2026_in_Botswana
Commons Category page: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Wiki_Loves_Folklore_2026_from_WikiVerse_Botswana
Facebook Activations: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HWcLfEngA/
Winner Announcement: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BoEgaKzj2/
Additionally, share the materials and resources that you used in the implementation of your project. (required)
For example:
- Training materials and guides
- Presentations and slides
- Work processes and plans
- Any other materials your team has created or adapted and can be shared with others
Training Slides: https://canva.link/ehm1ytfrf73cjcx
WhatsApp Channel: Follow the WIKIVERSE BOTSWANA channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAavZzIXnliMIm7Pe1M
YouTube Video Tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5GWrW8D4s4
3. To what extent do you agree with the following statements regarding the work carried out with this Rapid Fund? You can choose “not applicable” if your work does not relate to these goals. Required. Select one option per question. (required)
| A. Bring in participants from underrepresented groups | Strongly agree |
| B. Create a more inclusive and connected culture in our community | Strongly agree |
| C. Develop content about underrepresented topics/groups | Agree |
| D. Develop content from underrepresented perspectives | Agree |
| E. Encourage the retention of editors | Strongly agree |
| F. Encourage the retention of organizers | Agree |
| G. Increased participants' feelings of belonging and connection to the movement | Strongly agree |
| F. Other (optional) |
Part 2: Learning
4. In your application, you outlined some learning questions. What did you learn from these learning questions when you implemented your project? How do you hope to use this learnings in the future? You can recall these learning questions below. (required)
You can recall these learning questions below: As Project Manager for “Wiki Loves FOLKLORE & Feminism in Botswana,” I see this campaign not only as a documentation effort but as a learning journey. We aim to deepen our understanding of how cultural heritage, gender equity, and digital inclusion can be woven together to empower communities and transform Wikimedia spaces.
To guide this journey, we’ve framed key Learning Questions that will shape our reflection, data collection, and future planning:
Learning Questions
1. How can localized storytelling and folklore documentation increase participation from underrepresented communities in Wikimedia projects?
- We’ll track contributor demographics, motivations, and retention to understand what draws people in and keeps them engaged.
2. What barriers do women and youth face when contributing to Wikimedia platforms, and how can we design more inclusive training and support systems?
- We’ll gather feedback through surveys, debrief circles, and mentorship follow-ups to identify gaps and improve facilitation.
3. How does documenting folklore and feminist narratives impact contributors’ sense of cultural pride, identity, and digital agency?
- We’ll use reflective prompts and storytelling sessions to explore emotional and cultural outcomes.
4. What types of partnerships and outreach methods are most effective in mobilizing diverse communities for knowledge equity campaigns?
- We’ll analyze outreach data, partner feedback, and participation rates across regions and demographics.
5. How can Botswana’s contributions to Wiki Loves Folklore influence global narratives and inspire similar campaigns in other African contexts?
- We’ll monitor content visibility, international engagement, and cross-regional collaborations sparked by the campaign.
Through implementing this project, I gained several important insights aligned with our initial learning questions.
Firstly, I learned that localized storytelling and folklore documentation are powerful entry points for participation, especially for people who may not initially identify as “Wikimedians.” Framing contributions around cultural identity and lived experiences made the project more relatable and increased both interest and engagement.
Secondly, it became clear that women and youth face both technical and confidence-related barriers. While training helped address technical skills, ongoing support and safe, inclusive spaces were key to sustaining their participation. Mentorship and peer support proved to be just as important as the initial onboarding.
I also observed that documenting folklore and feminist narratives strengthened participants’ sense of cultural pride and ownership. Many contributors expressed a deeper connection to their heritage and a renewed sense of purpose in sharing their stories on a global platform.
A key learning around partnerships came from our work in Kanye, where we collaborated with the Go Wena, Ka Lorato project, which led the presentations and panel discussions. This partnership demonstrated that working with community-led initiatives and local knowledge holders strengthens trust, enriches content, and deepens engagement. It allowed us to ground our documentation in authentic voices and lived experiences.
Finally, I saw that Botswana’s contributions have strong potential to influence global narratives, particularly when content is well-contextualized and rooted in local knowledge systems.
Looking ahead, I plan to use these learnings to design more inclusive and community-centered programs, with stronger mentorship structures, intentional partnerships like the one in Kanye, and targeted outreach for women and youth. I also aim to position Botswana as a leading contributor in folklore documentation while fostering regional collaboration and knowledge exchange.
5. Did anything unexpected or surprising happen when implementing your activities? This can include both positive and negative situations. What did you learn from those experiences? (required)
Yes, a few unexpected situations arose during implementation, both challenging and positive.
Firstly, we experienced rising inflation in Botswana, which affected our initial budget projections. Some costs increased beyond what we had planned, requiring us to quickly reassess and adjust our allocations. This pushed us to be more strategic in how we used our resources, prioritizing core activities while still maintaining quality. From this, I learned the importance of building flexibility into project planning and budgeting for uncertainty.
Secondly, we noticed an unexpected increase in participant enthusiasm and output, particularly during the photo drive. Contributors were more engaged than anticipated, which led to a significantly higher number of uploads of 672 images against a target of 300. While this was a positive outcome, it also required us to provide more real-time support and coordination than initially planned. This highlighted the need for scalable support systems when participation exceeds expectations.
Another key experience was the strong impact of community-led engagement, especially through our collaboration in Kanye with the Go Wena, Ka Lorato project. Their leadership in facilitating presentations and panel discussions brought depth and authenticity to the activities. This reinforced the value of partnering with local initiatives to strengthen trust, participation, and cultural relevance.
Lastly, we encountered some technical and confidence gaps among new contributors, particularly women and youth. While this was anticipated to some extent, it was more pronounced in practice. Addressing this required more hands-on guidance and follow-up than expected, teaching us that post-training support is just as critical as initial onboarding.
Overall, these experiences taught me the importance of adaptability, community collaboration, and responsive support systems. Despite the challenges, we not only completed the project successfully but also exceeded our targets, demonstrating resilience and effective execution.
6. What is your plan to share your project learnings and results with other community members? If you have already done it, describe how. (required)
We have already started sharing the project learnings and results with the community. Key outcomes, including the 672 Wikimedia Commons uploads, were shared with participants through our WikiVerse Botswana WhatsApp groups and during post-activity debrief discussions. These spaces also allowed contributors to reflect on their experiences from the Kanye photo drive and provide direct feedback.
We also shared updates and milestones through our Project page on Meta-Wiki, highlighting progress and early insights from the project.
Going forward, we will write a detailed blog post documenting the full experience, key learnings, and impact of the project. This will be shared with the broader Wikimedia and open knowledge community to ensure wider visibility of the outcomes. We also plan to present the findings during future WikiVerse Botswana sessions, with a focus on inclusive participation, effective partnerships such as Go Wena, Ka Lorato, and the strategies that helped us exceed our target.
Part 3: Metrics
7. Wikimedia Metrics results. (required)
In your application, you set some Wikimedia targets in numbers (Wikimedia metrics). In this section, you will describe the achieved results and provide links to the tools used.
| Target | Results | Comments and tools used | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of participants | 40 | 20 | We used the Dashboard and the event organizer tool to track participants and contributions. |
| Number of editors | 40 | 20 | We used the Dashboard and the event organizer tool to track participants and contributions. |
| Number of organizers | 2 | 2 | We used the Dashboard and the event organizer tool to track participants and contributions. |
| Wikimedia project | Target | Result - Number of created pages | Result - Number of improved pages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wikipedia | 10 | ||
| Wikimedia Commons | 300 | 672 | 672 |
| Wikidata | |||
| Wiktionary | |||
| Wikisource | |||
| Wikimedia Incubator | |||
| Translatewiki | |||
| MediaWiki | |||
| Wikiquote | |||
| Wikivoyage | |||
| Wikibooks | |||
| Wikiversity | |||
| Wikinews | |||
| Wikispecies | |||
| Wikifunctions or Abstract Wikipedia |
8. Other Metrics results.
In your proposal, you could also set Other Metrics targets. Please describe the achieved results and provide links to the tools used if you set Other Metrics in your application.
| Other Metrics name | Metrics Description | Target | Result | Tools and comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
9. Did you have any difficulties collecting data to measure your results? (required)
Yes
9.1. Please state what difficulties you had. How do you hope to overcome these challenges in the future? Do you have any recommendations for the Foundation to support you in addressing these challenges? (required)
During implementation, we faced a few key challenges, particularly around the adjudication process for the competition. Initially, we struggled to identify a suitable tool for judging submissions, as the Montage tool and its admin access were not readily available to us. This created delays and uncertainty in the evaluation phase.
We were later able to resolve this by using CampWiz, with support from international organizers, which helped us proceed with the adjudication process more effectively. However, another significant challenge emerged after judging had already taken place: we discovered that some images initially selected as winners were sourced from the internet rather than being original uploads. This required us to revisit and redo parts of the evaluation process, which affected timelines and efficiency.
To overcome these challenges in the future, we hope to establish access to a reliable and well-supported adjudication tool early in the project planning phase, ideally with clear documentation and admin support available to local organizers. We also plan to strengthen pre-judging verification steps to ensure that all submitted images are original before evaluation begins.
As a recommendation to the Wikimedia Foundation, I suggest the development or integration of a built-in automated image verification system that can detect whether uploaded images are original or sourced from the internet. This would significantly reduce the risk of copyright violations and rejudging, and improve the integrity and efficiency of the adjudication process. Additionally, improving accessibility and onboarding for adjudication tools like Montage or CampWiz would greatly support local organizers in future campaigns.
Part 4: Financial reporting
[edit]10. Please state the total amount spent in your local currency. (required)
25150
11. Please state the total amount spent in US dollars. (required)
1832.5
12. Report the funds spent in the currency of your fund. (required)
Provide the link to the financial report https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1M9ogJWMAtHer8sK2Vq3LFNdX69nbrb_YxMj0zfi8JkM/edit?gid=0#gid=0
12.2. If you have not already done so in your financial spending report, please provide information on changes in the budget in relation to your original proposal. (optional)
uring the implementation of the project, we experienced minor budget deviations primarily due to rising inflation in Botswana, which affected the cost of some planned activities, particularly logistics and operational expenses.
To address this, we made internal reallocations within the approved budget, prioritizing core programmatic activities such as the trainings and the Kanye photo drive. We adjusted certain cost lines to ensure that all key activities were delivered effectively without exceeding the total grant amount.
All changes remained fully aligned with the Wikimedia Foundation mission and were used strictly for the approved charitable purposes outlined in the grant agreement. No funds were diverted from the original scope of the project.
Despite these adjustments, we successfully completed all planned activities and exceeded our initial targets, demonstrating efficient and responsible use of the grant funds.
13. Do you have any unspent funds from the Fund?
No
13.1. Please list the amount and currency you did not use and explain why.
N/A
13.2. What are you planning to do with the underspent funds?
N/A
13.3. Please provide details of hope to spend these funds.
N/A
14.1. Are you in compliance with the terms outlined in the fund agreement?
Yes
14.2. Are you in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations as outlined in the grant agreement?
Yes
14.3. Are you in compliance with provisions of the United States Internal Revenue Code (“Code”), and with relevant tax laws and regulations restricting the use of the Funds as outlined in the grant agreement? In summary, this is to confirm that the funds were used in alignment with the WMF mission and for charitable/nonprofit/educational purposes.
Yes
15. If you have additional recommendations or reflections that don’t fit into the above sections, please write them here. (optional)
One key reflection from this project is the importance of early technical preparedness, particularly around tools for adjudication and contributor support. Ensuring timely access to platforms like Montage or alternatives such as CampWiz can significantly improve workflow efficiency and reduce delays.
I also see strong value in deepening community partnerships, as demonstrated through our collaboration with Go Wena, Ka Lorato in Kanye. Engaging local initiatives and knowledge holders not only strengthens participation but also enhances the authenticity and cultural integrity of the content produced.
Another important takeaway is the need for stronger content verification mechanisms, especially for competitions. Introducing or integrating tools that can help detect non-original or internet-sourced images would improve the credibility and fairness of the judging process.
Lastly, this project reinforced that localized, culturally grounded approaches are highly effective in growing participation and producing meaningful contributions. Investing more in community-led storytelling, mentorship, and inclusive spaces, particularly for women and youth can further strengthen impact in future initiatives.