Grants talk:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Rapid Fund/Echoes of the Script (Seed):3–5 Indus “micropackets” + 2 library pilots (50% decode / 50% outreach) (ID: 23654171)

Comments from I JethroBT (WMF)

Hello mlg426, and thanks for this proposal. We are not unfortunately not able to fund the proposal for the following reasons:

• Your degree of engagement and contribution with Wikimedia projects is not sufficient given that some project outcomes involve leading sessions involving editing and uploads to Wikimedia projects.
• Much of the proposal is overly technical and difficult to understand for non-experts. Micropackets, Possibility/Falsifiability Sheet, dex, decoding, traffic-light confidence are all key terms and context related to this project but are not defined well.
• The general benefit of the proposal to Wikimedia projects and communities is unclear.
• The level of community engagement around the proposal appears minimal, and it is not clear whether the proposal reflects a significant community need for contributors in this topic area.

If you wish to resubmit, these needs will need to be addressed in your next proposal to meet eligibility. With thanks, I JethroBT (WMF) (talk) 17:12, 12 December 2025 (UTC)

---Hi Chris — thank you for the review and for naming the specific gaps. I understand the decision was based on the proposal as submitted.

Since then, I’ve taken direct action to build the Wikimedia-native foundation you described: • Falsifiability Sheet v3 on Commons • Community engagement post on Indic noticeboard • Ongoing on-wiki contributions under MLG426

I also hear you clearly on the remaining points: the proposal needs a plain-language rewrite (with a glossary for project terms), explicit Wikimedia metrics (Commons, Wikidata, articles), and stronger community validation before leading uploads or sessions.

Would you recommend I: • (a) keep building toward a Rapid Fund resubmission once those pieces are stronger, or • (b) shift the research-driven components to a program like the Wikimedia Research Fund, if that’s better aligned?

Thank you again for the direction — I’ve enjoyed building out this work in the open, and I’m committed to contributing in a way that strengthens Wikimedia ecosystems.