Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Rapid Fund/Women in Wiki Mbeya 2025 (ID: 23479966)
This is an automatically generated Meta-Wiki page. The page was copied from Fluxx, the web service of Wikimedia Foundation Funds, where the user has submitted their application. Please do not make any changes to this page because all changes will be removed after the next update. Use the discussion page for your feedback. The page was created by CR-FluxxBot.
Applicant Details
[edit]- Main Wikimedia username. (required)
SalmiaSam
- 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.
Women in Wiki Mbeya 2025
- 2. and 3. Proposed start and end dates for the proposal.
2025-09-01 - 2025-11-15
- 4. Where will this proposal be implemented? (required)
Tanzania
- 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 Women
- 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)
We aim to increase awareness, representation, and active participation of girls and young women in Wikimedia projects within universities in the Mbeya region of Tanzania. This initiative is part of a wider movement to address the gender gap in free knowledge spaces and ensure more equitable contributions to and representation on Wikimedia platforms.
The main challenge we are addressing is the persistent gender gap in Wikimedia participation in Tanzania, particularly in university settings where many young women are unaware of how they can contribute to or benefit from Wikipedia and its sister projects. Cultural perceptions, lack of exposure to open knowledge tools, and limited digital skills among female students further contribute to their underrepresentation.
Our vision is to cultivate a local, gender-inclusive Wikimedia community by building the capacity of university students—especially women—to contribute to, promote, and advocate for free knowledge. By empowering these students with editing skills, knowledge about Wikimedia projects, and leadership in outreach, we aim to create a ripple effect that brings long-term change across the region.
Key Strategies:
1. Building the capacity of female students by organizing a series of interactive, hands-on workshops in four universities across Mbeya. These will focus on Wikipedia editing, Wikimedia Commons, and other sister projects.
2. Creating a support network and mentorship structure through collaboration with experienced Wikimedians in Tanzania, ensuring that new contributors remain engaged and supported after the training.
3. Strengthening institutional partnerships with university clubs and departments to embed Wikimedia activities into student life and promote sustainability beyond the project.
4. Showcasing impact and visibility by highlighting stories of women contributors and promoting their work across local media and Wikimedia spaces.
We chose these approaches based on the success of similar university outreach programs previously conducted in Iringa and Dodoma, where structured support and peer learning proved effective in sustaining engagement. Moreover, these strategies align with global initiatives like the "Women in Red" and the Movement Strategy recommendation to close knowledge gaps and ensure diversity and inclusion.
By focusing on girls and women in universities, we are not only bridging the gender gap on Wikimedia projects, but also nurturing future leaders in the free knowledge movement in Tanzania.
- 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.
What are the planned activities?
Our planned activities are designed to directly support our strategies of building capacity, strengthening mentorship, and fostering institutional support for Wikimedia engagement particularly among girls and women in universities across the Mbeya region. Below is a list of the main activities: 1. Outreach and Awareness Sessions (4 universities) o We will conduct initial orientation sessions in each participating university to introduce students to the Wikimedia Movement, its values, and how they can get involved. o These sessions aim to break misconceptions, spark interest, and attract diverse participants, especially young women. 2. Wikimedia Editing Workshops (Hands-on Trainings) o We will organize two-day intensive workshops at each university, covering the basics of Wikipedia editing, Wikimedia Commons, user account creation, and content quality standards. o Each workshop will prioritize gender balance in participation, with at least 60% of attendees being female students. 3. Thematic Edit-a-thons (Women-centered Topics) o Following the training workshops, we will conduct edit-a-thons focused on content related to women, such as Tanzanian women leaders, local women in STEM, and gender-based topics currently underrepresented on Wikimedia platforms. o These will encourage practical application of skills while contributing meaningful content. 4. Establishment of Campus-based Wikimedia Clubs or Hubs o In partnership with existing university clubs (e.g., IT clubs, journalism societies), we will help establish or support Wikimedia-focused student groups to ensure sustainability. o These hubs will be empowered to continue running monthly Wiki activities even after the project ends. 5. Mentorship & Peer Support Program o We will connect trained participants with experienced Wikimedians from across Tanzania to provide virtual mentorship, feedback, and guidance through dedicated WhatsApp groups and occasional check-ins. 6. Mid-project Check-in & Final Showcase Event o We will host a virtual mid-project check-in to assess progress, address challenges, and keep participants motivated. o The final event will showcase the contributions made, recognize outstanding contributors (especially female editors), and promote long-term community engagement. 7. Documentation & Reporting o We will document all sessions with photos, videos, and blog posts, and publish outcomes on our Meta project page (link to be added after approval). o A final report with learning outcomes and participant stories will also be submitted to the Wikimedia Foundation.
Why these activities?
These activities have been chosen because they combine awareness, skill-building, practice, and sustainability. They have proven effective in our past engagements in Iringa and Dodoma. The step-by-step approach from orientation to ongoing mentorship ensures participants are not only trained but also retained and empowered to lead future outreach. This structure directly addresses the root causes of low participation and offers a model for long-term impact.
- 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.
1. Maria Ngogo: Project Lead 2. Suzan Geofrey: Community Relations 3. Philbert Juma: Communications
- 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)
Our primary target participants are female university students from four institutions in the Mbeya region of Tanzania, including both undergraduate and postgraduate students from various disciplines particularly those studying ICT, journalism, education, and social sciences. We are intentionally prioritizing girls and young women due to the existing gender gap in Wikimedia participation and representation. In addition to female students, we will include a smaller number of male allies and members of existing campus clubs (e.g., IT clubs, writers’ associations, media clubs) to ensure inclusivity and foster a supportive environment. Target Communities:
- University students in Mbeya (especially women)
- Local Wikimedia community members in Tanzania
- Academic departments and student organizations within the selected universities
Participant Engagement Strategy Before the Activities:
- Campus visits and info sessions: We will conduct pre-activity outreach sessions in each university to introduce the Wikimedia movement, share goals of the program, and encourage sign-ups especially from female students.
- Digital outreach: Promotion through university mailing lists, WhatsApp groups, and social media channels to reach a broad base of interested participants.
- Collaboration with student clubs and faculty: We’ll work with club leaders and lecturers to identify and invite motivated students, especially those involved in writing, ICT, and social action.
During the Activities:
- Interactive and practical workshops: Trainings will use a hands-on approach to ensure all participants create accounts, make live edits, and gain confidence editing Wikimedia projects.
- Inclusive learning spaces: We’ll foster an encouraging environment where women feel safe, heard, and supported facilitated by experienced trainers, including female Wikimedians.
- Real-time support: Trainers and facilitators will provide one-on-one and group support during sessions to address participants' questions and guide them through the editing process.
After the Activities:
- Establishing Wikimedia clubs: We will help participants form or join campus-based Wikimedia clubs to sustain engagement.
- Mentorship & peer support: Participants will be added to a mentorship network (via WhatsApp/Telegram) and paired with experienced Wikimedians for ongoing guidance.
- Monthly follow-ups: Each club will organize at least one activity post-training (e.g., a mini-editathon or peer learning session), which we will support and monitor.
- Recognition and storytelling: Outstanding contributors will be recognized in the final showcase, and participant stories will be shared via Meta and social media to motivate continued involvement.
This multi-phase engagement strategy ensures that participants not only gain skills but also become part of a growing, supportive, and gender-inclusive Wikimedia community in Tanzania.
- 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://drive.google.com/file/d/1pvRi7QXNeXxfTKbKczcVHJjYlyBkE_Tk/view?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.
To ensure that this project is inclusive, collaborative, and aligned with community needs, we took several steps to engage with relevant stakeholders and Wikimedia community members in Tanzania during the development of this proposal: 1. University Consultations We initiated discussions with student leaders, ICT clubs, journalism societies, and university administrators at four institutions in the Mbeya region. These consultations allowed us to:
- Introduce the Wikimedia Movement and the goals of this outreach initiative.
- Assess interest and readiness among students especially female students to participate in the program.
- Secure initial support and permission to conduct activities on their campuses.
This step was essential in grounding the project in local needs and ensuring institutional collaboration from the outset. 2. Wikimedia Community Engagement We discussed the project idea with several active members from existing Wikimedia communities in Tanzania, including those who have participated in similar outreach activities in regions such as Dodoma and Iringa. Their feedback helped us:
- Refine our training structure to suit beginner-level editors.
- Ensure alignment with national efforts to close the gender gap on Wikimedia platforms.
- Identify potential mentors and trainers to support the program in Mbeya.
3. Planning and Alignment We reviewed existing Wikimedia outreach projects in Tanzania to avoid duplication and to build upon what has already been successful. We are also exploring opportunities to collaborate with ongoing initiatives like Women in Red and the Reading Wikipedia in the Classroom program, ensuring synergy in promoting knowledge equity.
- 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)
Content Gender gap
- 13. Does your proposal include any of these areas or thematic focus? Select one option that most applies to your work. (required)
Gender and diversity
- 14. Will your work focus on involving participants from any underrepresented communities? Select one option that most apply to your work. (required)
Gender Identity
- 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)
Through this project, we hope to learn: 1. What strategies are most effective in engaging and retaining female university students in Wikimedia projects. 2. What motivates or prevents new contributors especially women from continuing to edit after training. 3. How mentorship and peer support can improve confidence and participation among new editors. 4. What types of content new female editors are most interested in contributing to. 5. How Wikimedia activities can be integrated into university structures for sustainability.
- 18. What are your Wikimedia project targets in numbers (metrics)? (required)
| Other Metrics | Target | Optional description |
|---|---|---|
| Number of participants | 85 | |
| Number of editors | 50 | |
| Number of organizers | 4 |
| Wikimedia project | Number of content created or improved |
|---|---|
| Wikipedia | 500 |
| Wikimedia Commons | |
| Wikidata | 1000 |
| Wiktionary | |
| Wikisource | |
| Wikimedia Incubator | |
| Translatewiki | |
| MediaWiki | |
| Wikiquote | 850 |
| 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)
Outreachdashboard google forms
Financial proposal
[edit]- 21. Please upload your budget for this proposal or indicate the link to it. (required)
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/11lBgzgTA4w3rwWhM2AkfVPhb0ekJH7sXaZb5LBDi3ko/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)
8307458 TZS
- 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.
2998 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).