Wikimedia CEE Hub/Team

Wikimedia CEE Hub structure

The organisation of the Wikimedia CEE Hub is defined in its Internal Governance framework, which describes all roles, responsibilities, and decision-making processes within the Hub. The structure is designed to ensure balanced governance, community participation, and effective implementation of activities across the Central and Eastern Europe region.

The Hub is organised into four main structural levels: the Steering Committee, the staff team, working groups, and the CEE Hub Advisory Group. Together, these components ensure strategic direction, operational delivery, community involvement, and open participation in the development of the Hub.

Steering Committee

The Steering Committee is the main governance body of the CEE Hub and functions as the equivalent of a board in a formal organisation. It is responsible for strategic decisions as defined in the Internal Governance document and is appointed during the annual Wikimedia CEE Meeting.

Steering Committee consists of ten members representing different Wikimedia communities across the region, including a Chair and Vice-Chair. In addition, the Hub includes two special advisers without voting rights, who participate in strategic and status meetings. The Steering Committee ensures overall direction, accountability, and alignment of the Hub’s work with regional needs and the Wikimedia Movement Strategy.

Steering Committee 2025/2026

Toni Sant - Chair (Wikimedia Community User Group Malta)
Başak Tosun - Vice-chair (Türkiye)
Klára Joklová (Wikimedia Czech Republic)
Strainu (Wikimedians of Romania and Moldova User Group)
Iglika Ivanova (Bulgaria)
Gorana Gomirac (Wikimedia Serbia)
Shahen Araboghlian (Armenia)
Vera Pelhan (Wikipedians of Slovenia User Group)
Armen Mirzoyan (Armenia)
Mārtiņš Bruņenieks (Wikimedians of Latvia User Group)

Staff

The CEE Hub staff team is responsible for the daily implementation of the Hub’s programmes and operational activities. As of January 2026, the team consists of four members: Regional CEE Hub Coordinator, Community & Communications Specialist, Program Specialist, and Grants Specialist.

Each staff member has a specific area of responsibility, ranging from overall coordination and strategic development, to communication, programme support, and grants management. Together, the team ensures that the Hub’s services are delivered effectively, supports communities across the region, and maintains collaboration with the Steering Committee and wider Wikimedia ecosystem.

CEE Hub staff

Regional CEE Hub Coordinator: Barbara Klen
Community and Communication Specialist: Karolina Gruszczyk
Program Specialist: Mohammad Heidarzadeh
Grants Specialist: Toni Ristovski

Working groups

Working groups are collaborative teams that bring together Steering Committee members, advisory group members, Wikimedians, and staff to work on specific thematic areas. These groups focus on key topics such as communications, governance, grants, human resources, or technical development.

Each working group supports planning, coordination, and implementation of activities within its focus area. They ensure that the Hub remains responsive to community needs and allow broader participation in shaping its work. Working groups are an important mechanism for shared responsibility and distributed collaboration within the Hub structure.

CEE Hub Advisory Group

The CEE Hub Advisory Group is an open participation space for individuals interested in following and contributing to the development of the Hub. Members of this group are invited to monthly status and strategic meetings and have access to the same information and documentation as the Steering Committee.

The group provides an opportunity for broader community engagement, transparency, and continuous feedback. It helps ensure that the CEE Hub remains open, inclusive, and connected to Wikimedia communities across the region.