Grants talk:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/General Support Fund/Annual Grant of the UAE User Group 2024

Proposal Feedback and Invite for Response

Thank you for submitting your application. After the review process please find the feedback - comments and questions below for your response;

• We are hoping to deepen our understanding of the relationship between the user group and ELF. What is the level of interaction with Emirates Literature Foundation? Are the team members of the User Group also staff for ELF. Would you also update on Meta the roles held by the members of the User Group to support communty members in knowing who is leading the efforts of the group.

ELF has consistently supported the user group since its establishment, providing valuable assistance at various levels. This support includes the provision of office space and other facilities for the user group's staff members, enhancing communication with stakeholders and ELF. Additionally, the user group actively participates in relevant events organized by ELF, contributing by creating content, capturing photographs, and engaging with diverse organizations. Furthermore, ELF encourages the user group to participate in their educational programs, fostering increased awareness. The user group reciprocates by actively presenting and contributing to these programs, strengthening collaboration between the two entities.

As a User Group, we operate with a dedicated team of both staff and volunteers. Our primary supporter and partner, ELF, has key staff members, including Dania (COO), Ahlam (CEO), and Bilal (Financial Manager), who contribute as part-time volunteers. Their involvement extends to supporting initiatives and providing crucial insights in their respective areas of expertise. Dania and Ahlam particularly play essential roles in facilitating conversations with stakeholders and partners, fostering connections vital to our initiatives. It's important to note that the core operational activities of the User Group are primarily carried out by our internal staff members -mentioned in the proposal-, ensuring the effective execution of our programs and objectives.

Yes, we updated the meta page according to your request. --Reda Kerbouche (talk) 11:49, 14 November 2023 (UTC)

• Kindly share a breakdown of the budget items, with details on salaries and timelines. You have done this before in previous annual plan applications.

Our team structure comprises four key roles, each with specific job titles and responsibilities:

• Director of the UAE User Group
• Strategic Advisor and Consultant
• Lead Research and Data Analysis
• Communication and Outreach Coordinator.

For a detailed overview of each role and their respective responsibilities, please refer to the provided link.

In terms of the budget breakdown, we have updated our figures to reflect the average salary for each role, ensuring an accurate representation of the financial allocation. The detailed salary calculations can be accessed through the following link.

--Reda Kerbouche (talk) 11:53, 14 November 2023 (UTC)

• We see a lot of items are related to staff activities. We are curious to learn on your thoughts on considering a stipend-based approach to supporting the roles?
  We don't find the suggested approach suitable for our user group. Our work requires a stable team with clearly defined job titles and responsibilities, working in fixed full-time positions, which allows for professional growth. Each team member is dedicated to specific responsibilities and aspects of our projects. This involvement is crucial for the successful continuation of our projects and ongoing learning processes. As we aspire to become a chapter in the near future, it is essential to have experienced staff members capable of carrying out the work effectively.
  While we acknowledge the stipend-based approach, we intend to employ it selectively, primarily for specific projects requiring expertise, such as hiring a "freelance/part-time" designer for our branding and meta pages. Some team members may also participate in other projects like the "Million project" and "Wiki Collections" as needed. --Reda Kerbouche (talk) 12:04, 14 November 2023 (UTC)
  We recognize that the user group is still fairly new in the community and are keen to learn on the progress being made in the team having enough knowledge about the movement and its dynamics? And if you continue to see areas where support can be provided.
  As a new user group in the Wikimedia community, we are dedicated to continuous learning and expanding our understanding of the movement's dynamics. Recognizing the importance of being well-informed, we actively pursue opportunities for learning and development. Open to guidance and support from the Wikimedia Foundation and experienced community members, we believe that ongoing mentorship is vital for building our capacity and contributing meaningfully to the movement.
  In our annual plan, we prioritize learning by ensuring that each core team member participates in various workshops and professional development activities. Our consultant, Reda, is responsible for staying updated on new events, campaigns, and plans. Serine actively engages in Let's Connect learning clinics, providing valuable insights to the team.
  We conduct monthly partnership meetings with Farida and Vipin to share updates, seek advice, and explore potential opportunities. Notably, Reda and Serine participated in the Annual Grant Report learning clinics.
  Before diving into existing campaigns or events, we prioritize meeting with campaigns or events organizers to thoroughly grasp requirements and ensure effective planning. For instance, in preparations for our Light Talk in the School Librarian of the Year (SLOY) event organized by ELF, we proactively engaged with Silvia Gutiérrez De La Torre and Melissa Guadalupe to better understand what is the best approach to present #1Lib1Ref and RWiC projects to the librarians and educators. Due to this meeting, we successfully organized the session and we had more than 30 educators/Librarians signed up to be part of our User Group and learn more (see photos).
  In a similar vein, prior to organizing any edit-a-thons or competitions, we engage in discussions with multiple editors and administrators. This collaborative approach follows extensive research and reporting by our research team. The insights gathered not only to contribute to the adaptability of our competitions but also ensure their well-organized execution. --Reda Kerbouche (talk) 12:03, 14 November 2023 (UTC)

• What were the outcomes of the GLAM and research activities from previous grants? And their impact?

Some of the key outcomes include:

1. Expansion of Wikimedia Content: Research activities have significantly contributed to the creation of new content on Wikimedia platforms, enhancing the quality and depth of information available to users. In the past year, we broadened our focus to contribute to various Wikimedia projects, including Wikiquote and Wikinews. Notably, we organized an edit-a-thon during the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, emphasizing Wikiquote. Participants were encouraged to publish quotes from open-source Arabic books, resulting in the publication of 1000 quotes on Arabic Wikiquote and the upload of 860 photos from the event. Our efforts also extend to Wikinews, aiming to enrich Arabic Wikimedia projects with less attention from the wider Community of MENA.
2. Collaboration and Partnerships: GLAM activities have played a crucial role in fostering collaborations and partnerships between our User Group and cultural institutions. Our research findings emphasized the significance of participating in local conferences and events that share similar visions and objectives. Consequently, we committed to attending various conferences, generating content about these events, and networking with potential stakeholders. Our presence at events such as the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, Emirates Airlines Festival of Literature, Sharjah International Book Fair, ICA Congress Abu Dhabi 2023, GESS Conference, and Knowledge Circle at the National Library and Archives opened doors to numerous opportunities:
   • Establishment of a Wiki Club as part of the School of Life program organized by Dubai Public Libraries.
   • Presenting a session at GESS conferences on the importance of Wikimedia projects in education, leading to potential collaboration with The Arbor School Dubai for the next year.
   • Potentail partnership with universities in Saudi Arabia.
   • Networking with speakers at the Knowledge Circle program, creating opportunities for future support in various projects.
3. Community Engagement: These activities have successfully engaged our community members in new and meaningful ways, fostering a sense of shared purpose and collaboration. This was particularly evident this year as we focused on diverse content and various Wikimedia projects, aligning with the interests of many community members.

--Reda Kerbouche (talk) 12:06, 14 November 2023 (UTC)

• The Wikimedian-in-Residence role isn’t indicated in the action plan and proposal, although present in the budget. Any details and clarifications?
  The Wikimedian-in-Residence role is not explicitly outlined in the action plan, as it was initially incorporated into the 2023 plan. Shahd, our full-time research team member, currently holds this role. As an experienced Wikipedia editor, she diligently manages volunteer work, ensuring the high quality of content generated by our user group members. Shahd's responsibilities extend to various critical tasks:
  Responsibilities:

• Conducting research before attending conferences or events to ensure alignment with our strategy and optimize the benefits.
• Assisting in data collection and analysis for research projects.
• Collaborating with volunteers and community members involved in research initiatives.
• Contributing to the creation of research reports and data visualizations.
• Monitoring the impact of research findings on Wikimedia projects.
• Maintaining accurate records of research activities and data.

Supporting the Research and Data Analysis Lead in developing research priorities and methodologies.--Reda Kerbouche (talk) 12:15, 14 November 2023 (UTC)

Would you say more on what has been the impact of previous initiatives to support the launch and implementation of WikiClubs? What validates that they work to yield the results desired?

• Previous Training Sessions: Our experiences with past training sessions and workshops have been instrumental in gaging the effectiveness of the Wiki Club. These sessions have provided valuable insights into the dynamics and outcomes of Wiki Club activities.
• Post-Event Reports: Detailed reports generated after each WikiClub event offer a comprehensive understanding of its performance. These reports serve as a critical resource for evaluating the success of Wiki Club and identifying areas for improvement.
• Adaptability and Experimentation: Acknowledging that the Wiki Club concept is experimental, we remain flexible in updating our approach based on results. The iterative nature of our proposal allows for continuous refinement, ensuring that our strategies align with the desired outcomes.
• Continuous Learning: A key element in ensuring the success of Wiki Club is our commitment to learning from our mistakes. By adopting a reflective approach, we aim to identify challenges, learn from them, and build on this knowledge to enhance the effectiveness of WikiClubs over time.

--Reda Kerbouche (talk) 12:15, 14 November 2023 (UTC)

• How will the WikiCollections project be conducted? It is not assigned to any team member/staff nor present in the timeline.

The WikiCollections project will be conducted collaboratively, involving the entire team of staff members. Each team member will contribute based on their expertise and responsibilities within the user group.

The project proposal, along with its objectives and timeline, is comprehensively detailed in the provided presentation (here). We envision 2024 as the pilot phase for this project, focusing initially on the UAE and Gulf region. This approach allows us to gather valuable insights, learn from the implementation, and adapt the project model for broader participation by other Wikimedia affiliates in their respective languages and regions.

--Reda Kerbouche (talk) 12:15, 14 November 2023 (UTC)

• Kindly have a review of the metrics; indicate clear metrics on the outcomes of the planned activities in addition to the activities themselves? How many created/edited articles, participants, pictures, etc.

• Wikipedia: Created Articles: 5000; Edited Articles: 7000
• Commons: Uploaded Pictures: 7000
• Wikidata: Contributions: 5000
• Wikiquotes: Contributions: 3000
• Wikisource: Contributions: 100
• Wikinews: Contributions: 100

Additionally, we aim to engage around 300-400 participants in our overall events and activities.

--Reda Kerbouche (talk) 12:15, 14 November 2023 (UTC)

• Questions on the resources requested;

• Please share more on the rationale and approach for having marketing and branding for edit-a-thons and at the cost indicated?

Press releases are crucial for the Wikimedians of UAE user group as they play a vital role in increasing awareness and visibility of our activities and initiatives. By issuing press releases, we can extend our reach to a broader audience, including potential new members, partners, and stakeholders. Furthermore, these releases help establish the user group as a credible and authoritative source of information, attracting media attention and coverage. They also serve to highlight our achievements and impact, potentially garnering support and resources for future projects.

Regarding branded items, we plan to collaborate with an agency to create engaging social media content for the edit-a-thon. This includes professional videos featuring participant interviews and highlight reels. Additionally, we intend to print specially designed "roll-ups" exclusively for the edit-a-thon (similar to the red bookmark). For branded stationery, we aim to collaborate with a local artist to design unique tote bags that represent the user group and UAE culture. This effort contributes to enhancing the overall experience and visibility of our events.

--Reda Kerbouche (talk) 12:15, 14 November 2023 (UTC)

• We are unclear on the cost related to updating the Meta page - can this not be done by a volunteer or team member. Why delegate it to an external person?

Engaging a paid designer for updating the Meta page of the Wikimedians of UAE user group is essential for several reasons. Firstly, a paid designer can commit more time and effort to the task, ensuring consistent and high-quality updates. This is crucial for enhancing the professional image of the user group and attracting more engagement, especially from non-Wikimedians. As Meta is not user-friendly for newcomers, having an engaging and high-quality Meta page is vital for people to understand our movement and mission.

Moreover, a paid designer may possess specialized skills and expertise in web design and user experience, resulting in a visually appealing and user-friendly Meta page. This improves the overall user experience, making it easier for visitors to find the information they seek.

By investing in design services, the user group can achieve consistent branding and messaging across the Meta page and other communication channels. This fosters a stronger identity and leaves a lasting impression on visitors.

While volunteers contribute valuable skills, our attempts to find a volunteer for updating the Meta page aligned with our vision were challenging. A paid designer offers the user group a higher level of professionalism, expertise, and consistency in their online presence.

--Reda Kerbouche (talk) 12:15, 14 November 2023 (UTC)

• We were keen to learn about a number of areas that we see the possibility of the fiscal partner providing or implementing partners supporting e.g. venue and internet. Is this possible and are there other support areas that the fiscal partner and partners provide that we may not be aware of?

It's challenging to guarantee that the venue and internet will be free for our edit-a-thons. The choice of venue for each edit-a-thon is based on alignment with the theme, and we proactively communicate with organizers to negotiate free or discounted venue options. However, there's a possibility that we may need to cover the full amount. In instances where the venue is provided for free, any remaining budget will be allocated to the WikiCollections project, following a similar approach as in previous grants. Please note that the flexibility of budget allocation allows us to adapt to the circumstances of each edit-a-thon.

--Reda Kerbouche (talk) 12:15, 14 November 2023 (UTC)

• Is the project's timeline aligned with the One Milion Project that the UG is having?

Yes, the project's timeline is aligned with the One Million Project that the UAE User Group is undertaking. Both projects have coordinated their timelines to ensure effective execution without conflicting with each other. Communication and coordination between the project team and the One Million Project team, including internal and external members/volunteers, have been established to ensure alignment and successful execution of both projects.

--Reda Kerbouche (talk) 12:15, 14 November 2023 (UTC)

Other requests: The MEA fund committee allocated an amount recommended (USD) 87000 to UAE user group for 2023. Budget's link on Meta shows UAE user group proposed budget which was 152273.5 USD.Is there any link for there adjusted budget to take a look how the user group decided to expenses the (USD) 87000?

As our user group expands its work and engages in more activities and partnerships, expenses naturally increase. We are working towards establishing a professional and recognized user group in the UAE with a focus on branding, marketing, and strategic activities. The primary objective is to lay a solid foundation for the user group's evolution into an established chapter in the UAE in the near future.--Reda Kerbouche (talk) 12:15, 14 November 2023 (UTC)

Expert reviewer - GLAM

It's very nice they are interested in culture and heritage projects to, among other things, "facilitate content enrichment and data accessibility." But how are they planning to do that? Why how many institutions (an estimate)?

Why are they not considering their most important partner, the Emirates Literature Foundation, as a GLAM partnership? A GLAM partnership is usually about content donation, but it can also be about campaigns and events (which seems to be the case here).

We highly recommend you get in touch with the regional program officer to support you in understanding the questions raised or if you find it useful to meet with the committee as well, please let them know and they can organize a conversation meeting.

Thank you, and we look forward to receiving your responses to support us in the next steps. On behalf of the MEA Regional Committee and Staff - VThamaini (WMF) (talk) 10:52, 25 October 2023 (UTC)

This year, our focus on participating in various local conferences and events was instrumental in networking with diverse organizations and institutions, whether they are related to GLAM or not. The primary objective was to raise awareness of our user group, resulting in several organizations expressing interest in our work. We anticipate potential partnerships with the following institutions:

• The National Library and Archives (NLA)
• Emirates NBD (ENBD)
• Dubai Opera
• Dubai Public Libraries
• The Arbor School Dubai
• Abdalla Al Ghurair Foundation
• Saudi Arabia universities

Additionally, I (Reda) will serve as the main trainer for OpenRefine. 

As part of our approach to enriching content and enhancing data accessibility, we plan to provide training sessions for the staff of these organizations. This strategy ensures that they can create accessible information, contributing to the sustainability of content creation efforts.

While we haven't formalized a partnership document with the Emirates Literature Foundation (ELF), they have consistently been a crucial supporter of our user group. Our collaboration has been evident through our active involvement in their initiatives and events. ELF has been instrumental in supporting us by providing an office space for our team, facilitating effective communication and planning. We are looking forward to formalizing our partnership for the upcoming year. Reda Kerbouche (talk) 12:29, 14 November 2023 (UTC)

General Support Fund Approved at 183,630.00 AED

Dear Wikimedians of UAE User Group,

Thank you for submitting your application seeking General Support Funds - Wikimedia Community Fund. The MEA Regional Committee and Staff have thoroughly reviewed, discussed and deliberated upon your application and made the decision to fund you at 183,630.00 AED for the grant period of 1st January 2024 - 31st December 2024.

Here are a few points to note;

• Thank you for meeting with us to support us in knowing how best to support you.
• We see the team motivated to grow the community in UAE and engage with the wider community.
• We see a need for more intentionality and effort in developing the skills of the core team, especially the Wikimedia projects skills.
• We see an opportunity to better focus on what is working, including campaigns, competitions, and edit-a-thons, instead of adding new projects. There is a need for the group to focus on a few projects which will also support them in developing their skills and the community.
• With a review of the scope of work, as mentioned in the previous point, we are funding 1 staff role to support leading of the projects.
• While we see the interest in supporting other communities, we highly encourage you to also focus on supporting the local growing community within UAE.
• We see a need to have active engagement with the larger community, including the Arabic Wikimedian community.

We hope to continue having regular conversations over the course of your grant implementation. Do set up a regular schedule to connect with your MEA Programme Officer based on your needs.

The reporting requirements for the grant will shared in your grant agreement and on Fluxx. All reports are to be completed and submitted via Fluxx.

Once again, Congratulations! We thank you for your participation in the grant application process and hope to continue to journey with you as you embark on a new year of project implementation. VThamaini (WMF) (talk) 11:45, 15 December 2023 (UTC)

Review of Wikidata experience

Because this grant proposal mentions Wikidata, I have performed a review of team members' experience and record on that project:

• ? There is no global account for سيرين بن براهيم
• Neutral دانية دروبي: They have little experience on any WMF project, and almost none on Wikidata.
• Weak oppose Reda_Kerbouche: They have substantial experience on Wikidata. I reviewed their last ten created items and found that 9 of them did not establish notability. This is unfortunate because it indicates they have a significant ongoing problem in complying with the project's notability criteria. Regrettably, no-one seems to have drawn this specific issue to their attention before. They appear to be responsive to feedback.
• Neutral Iyhab1994: They have only moderate experience on Wikidata. Reviewing their item creations, I found only one out of eleven that failed to indicate notability. I also found other representational errors.
• Neutral Shahdmurshed: They have only moderate experience on Wikidata. Reviewing their ten most recent item creations, I found none that failed to establish notability.
• Weak oppose Duaa Khidir: This user has little experience on Wikidata. The have created four items. Two have been deleted as empty, one was a duplicate now redirected, and the fourth does not establish notability. They were informed of this problem in October and, while they responded to the feedback, they failed to act on it.

In summary, this grant proposal does not identify any user who would be an appropriate Wikidata expert, trainer, or role model. This is deeply concerning as it provides no confidence that the grant will contribute positively to that project. Bovlb (talk) 06:04, 5 January 2024 (UTC)