Grants talk:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Wikimedia South Africa-supporting the growth of the free knowledge movement in South Africa for 2023
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Feedback from the Middle East and Africa Regional Funding Committee on your proposal[edit]
Hello Discott and Bobbyshabangu,
Thank you for taking the time to submit your proposal. We are pleased to have reviewed it and have the following comments and questions;
- We found your proposal clear, and coherent and the strategies listed will ensure the required change.
- All the strategies and activities are feasible. The risks identified and measures to mitigate these risks are well articulated.
- The proposal has great potential for impact in so many areas. This covers almost everything on theMovement Strategy 2030 recommendations.
- We also believe that given your capacity and the opportunities to grow it, you are well-positioned to implement the projects.
- While from our understanding and review, we believe your impact aligns with the resources being requested, we would have found it less challenging if there was a column in the budget with the figures in USD. Having said that, please provide more about the ‘Wiki Loves Africa ‘ program cost and the breakdown of ‘ “Internet connection and data for administrators and interns”
Beyond that, we are excited to see the chapter grow in both programs and operations.
Thank you and we look forward to hearing from you. On behalf of the MEA Regional Committee --VThamaini (WMF) (talk) 13:42, 20 April 2022 (UTC)
- Thank you for reviewing our proposal and the positive response VThamaini (WMF), we are indeed looking forward to the results and impact that will come from the projects in this proposal. Below are our responses to your issues raised:
- Figures in dollars - although the last row has the total budget in dollar. However, we have noted your challenge and have added a column in dollars as can be seen here.
- Wiki Loves Africa program cost - this cost entail prizes which amounts to 318,66 USD event support including contingencies which also amounts to 318,66 USD. Instead of applying for a separate rapid grant for this event, we have included it as part of this APG.
- Internet connection and data for administrators and interns - Simple put, this amount is for purchasing data for our staff and interns and board members who can't join our biweekly meetings because of the cost of data. This also includes buying modems for interns ( which belongs to the chapter) and supporting community members who are struggling with joining our meet-ups which are largely online these days. Bobbyshabangu (talk) 22:25, 25 April 2022 (UTC)
- Thank you VThamaini (WMF) for the positive feedback. It is much appreciated. Thank you Bobbyshabangu for making the changes. Please let us know if you have any other feedback, questions, or recommendations. We are always interested in learning how we can improve or clarify anything further.--Discott (talk) 12:47, 28 April 2022 (UTC)
Wikimedia Community Fund approved in the amount of $85,123USD[edit]
Hello Discott and Bobbyshabangu,
Congratulations! Your grant is approved in the amount of $85,123USD, with a grant term starting 1 July 2022 and ending 30th June 2023.
We are pleased to continue seeing the growth and strengthening of the work you are doing with communities in Southern Africa including working with mission-aligned partners in the region to address issues of knowledge equity while aligning with Movement Strategy Recommendations.
We recognize your need for additional increased capacity to make your operations and programs more robust including having a dedicated administrative role to support community needs in Johannesburg. We find your commitment to work with underrepresented communities such as young people, climate change champions and LGBTQ+ communities in bringing their voices to being part of the Wikimedia Movement, laudable and look forward to seeing the change you achieve. This also includes your advocacy and knowledge digitization work with various partners in South Africa.
We hope that resources supporting your leadership team will enable you to better support your growing team through coaching and mentorship and that overall your planned strategic programs focusing on diversity, capacity, access, flexibility and awareness will be successfully implemented.
We also recommend that you review your retention strategies especially those related to campaigns; thinking about long term- audience development strategy. Additionally, we propose that you provide more clarity on how many Wikimedia Commons uploads, from their total of 4000, will be connected to Wiki Loves events and how many would be related to GLAM initiatives to support better learning and evaluation.
Thank you for your work and all you do for the community and the Wikimedia movement.
Best regards from the MEA Regional Committee and Staff --VThamaini (WMF) (talk) 17:47, 20 May 2022 (UTC)
- Thanks for your positive response VThamaini (WMF), we note your recommendation regarding our long term-audience development strategy. We also note your proposal for us to provide metrics on Wikimedia Commons upload, this will be done on both our mid-term and annual reporting.Bobbyshabangu (talk) 02:03, 21 May 2022 (UTC)