Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Rapid Fund/Wiki Loves Africa in The Gambia (ID: 22971317)
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Applicant Details
[edit]- Main Wikimedia username. (required)
Gayobah13
- 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.
Wiki Loves Africa in The Gambia
- 2. and 3. Proposed start and end dates for the proposal.
2025-04-18 - 2025-06-18
- 4. Where will this proposal be implemented? (required)
The Gambia
- 5. Are your activities part of a Wikimedia movement campaign, project, or event? If so, please select the relevant project or campaign. (required)
Wiki Loves Africa
- 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)
Our primary goal is to address the underrepresentation of the Gambia on Wikimedia projects, particularly on Wikipedia. Our aim is to build capacity among local editors, raise awareness about Wikipedia and its projects, and improve content related to the Gambia. We want to bring about sustainable change that will foster a more inclusive and diverse representation of Gambian knowledge.
Main Challenges 1. Poor Representation of the Gambia on Wikimedia Projects Despite the growing global use of Wikipedia, The Gambia is underrepresented in Wikimedia projects. Many aspects of the country’s history, culture, and people are missing or insufficiently documented on platforms like Wikipedia. 2. Low Number of Wikipedia Editors from the Gambia There are very few Gambian editors actively contributing to Wikimedia projects. This lack of local engagement has contributed to the gap in content about the Gambia. The scarcity of local contributors makes it difficult to ensure the authenticity and accuracy of information. 3. Lack of Awareness about Wikipedia and Wikimedia Projects Many Gambians are unaware of the opportunities and resources offered by Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects. This lack of awareness contributes to a lower level of engagement with these platforms and a missed opportunity for the Gambian community to actively participate in global knowledge-sharing.
Our task is to: 1. Create awareness about Wikipedia Projects We want to educate the librarians, journalist, students, and professionals in the Gambia about the significance of Wikipedia and its related projects in order to inspire interest and participation. Awareness campaigns will highlight the role of Wikimedia in democratising knowledge and the benefits of contributing to these global platforms. 2. Build the capacity of editors We aim to equip aspiring Gambian editors with the skills and knowledge necessary to actively contribute to Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects. This will include workshops, practical training, and ongoing support to ensure new editors feel confident in their contributions. 3. Improve articles related to the Gambia We will focus on improving existing Wikipedia articles about the Gambia. This includes enhancing articles on Gambian history, culture, geography, politics, and notable figures, while also adding new content to fill in gaps. 4. Share Knowledge about the Gambia The Gambia is rich in history, culture, and heritage. Through this project, we aim to harness local knowledge and share it with the world. Whether it’s traditional knowledge, historical events, or modern-day achievements, our goal is to ensure this wealth of information is accessible to all.
Approaches 1. Four-day workshop A comprehensive, hands-on workshop will be organised to teach participants the basics of Wikipedia editing, including account creation, writing and editing articles, citing reliable sources, and uploading media. The workshop will also serve as a platform to raise awareness about the importance of contributing to Wikimedia projects. 2. Interactive sessions Interactive sessions will allow participants to learn in an engaging and practical environment. This will foster a sense of community, where participants can ask questions, collaborate, and share ideas. These sessions will also provide guidance on addressing challenges that participants may face during the editing process. 3. Edit-a-thon After the workshop we will organise a two-month edit-a-thon. During this period, participants will be encouraged to contribute to Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects, with a particular focus on improving and creating articles about the Gambia. This collaborative editing event will provide participants with ongoing support and motivation. 4. Offer prizes for dedicated volunteers To encourage active participation, we will offer incentives such as prizes for the most dedicated volunteers and contributors. These rewards will recognise hard work and further motivate participants to continue editing after the event.
Long-term goal Our long-term goal is to establish an affiliated Wikimedia user group for the Gambia. This group will serve as a foundation for sustainable growth, ensuring that the initiatives we start are maintained and expanded over time. We hope a formal, structured user group will to ensure that the Gambia’s representation on Wikimedia projects is continuously improved.
- 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.
Planned Activities We plan to organise a four-day Wikimedia training workshop followed by a two-month edit-a-thon to enhance the representation of the Gambia on Wikimedia projects. The workshop will focus on building the capacity of local editors, improving Wikipedia articles, and raising awareness about Wikimedia initiatives. Workshop Schedule (18th – 21st April 2025)
Day 1: Introduction to Wikimedia and Wikipedia Editing Basics
- Overview of Wikimedia projects (Wikipedia, Commons, Wikidata, etc.)
- Importance of open knowledge and local representation
- Creating a Wikipedia account and user profile
- Basics of Wikipedia editing (sandbox, markup, minor edits)
Day 2: Wikipedia Policies, Guidelines and Source Evaluation
- Understanding Wikipedia’s core policies (Neutral Point of View, Verifiability, No Original Research)
- Identifying reliable sources and avoiding plagiarism
- Introduction to referencing and citation techniques
- Hands-on practice: Editing existing articles
Day 3: Advanced Editing and Wikidata Introduction
- Expanding articles beyond stubs (structuring and improving content)
- Working with infoboxes, categories, and templates
- Introduction to Wikidata and its role in structured knowledge
- Uploading media to Wikimedia Commons
Day 4: Collaborative Content Creation
- Group work to improve articles related to the Gambia
- Hands-on support from trainers and experienced editors
- Wikidata item creation and Commons contributions
- Closing session and discussion on sustaining engagement
Post-Workshop Activity After the training we will host a two-month online edit-a-thon to encourage participants to apply their skills and continue improving content about the Gambia on Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects. Participants will receive mentorship, and outstanding contributors will be recognised with certificates and incentives. This initiative aims to ensure long-term engagement, foster a community of active Wikimedia contributors in the Gambia, and significantly improve the visibility of Gambian content on Wikimedia platforms.
- 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 team is as follows:
1. Gayo Bah (User: Gayobah13) – Project Lead: Gayo Bah is a Senior library Assistant at the Gambia National Library and an experience Wikipedia editor. He will lead the project and manage the overall coordination. He will serve as the lead trainer, working closely with experienced Wikipedia editors from Namibia and Senegal to offer support to participants as needed. His responsibilities will include guiding participants on practical aspects of Wikipedia, such as account creation, editing, adding references, and inserting images.
2. Ramatoulie Touray (User: Aji Ramou) – Assistant Ramatoulie Touray is the acting librarian at the University of the Gambia Library and experience Wikipedia editor. -Assistant Project Lead: She will assist the project lead in the day-to-day operations of the project. This includes providing logistical support, helping with coordination, and assisting in training and participant management.
3. Isatou Sowe (User: Sowepullo Isha) – Isatou Sowe is the president of Gambia Library and Information Service Association (GAMLISA). She will oversee communication and coordination efforts, particularly in organizing and mobilizing volunteers for the project. As the president of GAMLISA, she will be instrumental in ensuring smooth collaboration between volunteers and project team members as most of the targeted are members of GAMLISA.
4. Modou ML Jallow (User: Princeaemel) – Modou ML Jallow is a library assistant in charge of IT at the Gambia National Library. He will handle all IT-related aspects of the project, including managing computers, networks, projectors, and other technical equipment. He will also oversee the project's social media presence to ensure the project reaches its target audience and engages participants online.
5. Madi Mboge - Account Assistant at the Gambia National Library & Treasurer of GAMLISA: Madi will be responsible for managing the project budget, handling procurement, and ensuring that all financial matters are properly tracked and documented. He will also provide financial oversight to ensure the project adheres to its budgetary constraints.
All team members involved in the grant application are aware of their roles and responsibilities in the project. They are committed to ensuring the successful implementation of the project and are fully informed about their contributions to the overall goals.
- 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: The workshop and edit-a-thon will focus on engaging participants from diverse backgrounds to ensure a broad and sustainable impact. The target audience for this project includes:
- Librarians – working with librarians and library assistants in the Gambia National library and other institutions will enable us leverage their expertise in information organisation, citation, and research.
- Members of the Young Writers Association of the Gambia – we want to encourage the contribution of well-written and well- researched content.
- Members of GAMLISA (The Gambia Library and Information Service Association) – most of the people we hope to train are members of GAMLISA, therefore this workshop will help to build the capacity of future librarians and information professionals in open knowledge projects.
- Students from the University of the Gambia (UTG) and Gambia College – training UTG students about the mission of the Wikimedia foundation will help to promote Wikimedia engagement among young scholars and researchers in the Gambia.
- The General Public – we will be open to anybody who is interested in promoting open knowledge in the Gambia. The participation of the general public will encourage broader participation and inclusivity in Wikimedia projects.
Pre-event engagement to ensure active participation we will:
- Promote the event through social media, institutional Facebook pages, and Wikimedia channels.
- Conduct an awareness campaign to educate potential participants on the importance of Wikimedia and the role they can play.
- Send targeted invitations to relevant institutions such as the University of the Gambia, the Gambia College, associations such
as GAMLISA and Young Writers association of the Gambia, and interest groups.
- Organise a radio talk show to introduce the objectives and expectations of the workshop.
Engagement during the activities to maintain participant interest and interaction we will:
- Use hands-on training sessions with practical exercises to keep participants actively engaged.
- Provide mentorship and one-on-one guidance from experienced Wikimedia editors.
- Offer incentives such as certificates of participation, recognition for top contributors, and small prizes to motivate engagement.
- Encourage collaborative learning through group tasks and live editing sessions.
Post-event follow-up to sustain participation beyond the workshop we will:
- Launch a two-month edit-a-thon where participants continue contributing to Wikimedia projects.
- Use our Facebook page and WhatsApp group to provide ongoing support, mentorship, and collaboration.
- Organise follow-up virtual meet-ups to track progress and address challenges.
- Recognise and reward active contributors to encourage long-term engagement.
- Collaborate with institutions to integrate Wikimedia activities into their programs.
- 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.
We discussed the idea of the project through multiple channels to ensure broad community engagement. This included our monthly virtual meet-ups using google meeting, where members of the Planning Wikimedia User Group the Gambia shared insights, provided feedback, and collaborated on refining the project goals. Additionally, we utilised our active WhatsApp forum to facilitate ongoing discussions, gather input from all members, and address any questions or suggestions. We also use our Meta page: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Planning_Wikimedia_community_user_group_The_Gambia
- 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)
Advocacy
- 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)
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)
We hope to gain valuable insights from this project including:
- Understanding the specific needs and expectations of Wikimedia volunteers in the Gambia.
- Assessing Gambians’ perceptions of Wikimedia projects and the broader concept of open knowledge.
- Identifying skill gaps and training needs among volunteers to enhance their contributions.
- Exploring the most effective strategies to motivate and sustain participant engagement in Wikimedia activities.
- 18. What are your Wikimedia project targets in numbers (metrics)? (required)
| Other Metrics | Target | Optional description |
|---|---|---|
| Number of participants | 35 | Including organisers |
| Number of editors | 35 | 31 new editors and 4 returning |
| Number of organizers | 5 |
| Wikimedia project | Number of content created or improved |
|---|---|
| Wikipedia | 400 |
| Wikimedia Commons | 20 |
| Wikidata | 100 |
| Wiktionary | |
| Wikisource | 2 |
| 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)
• We will use the Program & Event Dashboard to track participant contributions. This is a link to the first campaign we did though it was not very effective because most of the participants did not have the capacity: https://outreachdashboard.wmflabs.org/courses/Wikimedia_volunteers_The_Gambia/WikiGambia_The_Gambia_stub_challenge
- we will use Google Forms for feedback surveys
Financial proposal
[edit]- 21. Please upload your budget for this proposal or indicate the link to it. (required)
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1e1IqKWUIvFYCmUC_1CZBq2IAHv5C587xVGx7Bdv4_AU/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)
225750 GMD
- 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.
3300.27 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).