Wikimedia CEE Hub/Wikimedia youth activities in CEECA 2025
Analysis of youth engagement in Wikimedia communities of Central & Eastern Europe and Central Asia
[edit]This report presents the results of a survey conducted by Wikimedia CEE Hub among members of the CEE Youth Group in November - December of 2025. It is based on responses from 36 young Wikimedians representing 21 communities in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Because of this, the findings should not be seen as a comprehensive overview. The goal of this mapping is to understand how young Wikimedians perceive the situation of youth in their Wiki communities.
The report highlights:
- what youth-focused initiatives currently exist,
- how young people join and participate in communities,
- what support helps them stay engaged,
- and what challenges limit their involvement.
The insights and recommendations here are meant to support the Wikimedia CEE Hub, local affiliates and community organizers in strengthening youth engagement, inclusion, and long-term participation in the Wikimedia Movement.
1.0 Executive summary
[edit]1.1 Key findings
[edit]Youth engagement looks very different from one community to another. Some affiliates have strong, well-established youth programs — for example, Wikimedia Armenia with its WikiCamps and WikiClubs. Others rely mostly on individual contributions and do not have youth-specific activities yet — such as the Wikimedia Community of Kazakh language User Group.
Across the region, most young people discover Wikimedia through:
- other young Wikimedians,
- school or university activities,
- and social media.
This shows that peer networks and digital platforms are essential for reaching new young contributors.
1.2 Main challenges
[edit]Respondents highlighted several common issues:
- Lack of mentorship and guidance for newcomers
- Limited support from experienced community members
- Communication gaps that make people feel disconnected (e.g., a respondent from Slovenia had been editing for six years without knowing about Wikimania)
Smaller communities, in particular, struggle with: insufficient financial resources and limited organizational capacity.
These barriers also represent clear opportunities for improvement, both locally and regionally.
1.3 Top-level recommendations
[edit]Based on the survey insights, the following priorities are suggested for strengthening youth participation:
- Create structured training and mentorship opportunities to support newcomers and help retain contributors.
- Enable local youth-led initiatives and gatherings by providing spaces, resources, and coordination so young people can meet, share ideas, and organize their own projects.
- Improve access to regional and international events by making participation pathways more visible and easier to navigate.
These steps would help young Wikimedians feel more connected, supported, and motivated to contribute to the Movement.
2.0 Profile of survey respondents
[edit]2.1 Communities and roles
[edit]Survey responses came from a wide range of Wikimedia communities: from large national affiliates to smaller and emerging groups. Young contributors play many different roles, including: volunteer editors and organizers, staff members, and board members.
| Role | Count |
|---|---|
| Volunteer contributor (75%) | 27
|
| Volunteer organiser/coordinator (50%) | 18
|
| Staff member (16.7%) | 6
|
| Board member (2.8%) | 1
|
| Editor, bot and gadget developer (2.8%) | 1
|
In several communities, one person may take on many responsibilities at the same time — organizing events, developing technical tools, and contributing content. Supporting these highly active young leaders is crucial because their work often sustains the entire community.
| Community | Role |
|---|---|
| Azerbaijani Wikimedians User Group | Volunteer organizer/coordinator |
| CA Youth Community | Volunteer organizer/coordinator |
| Central Asian Wikimedians Group | Volunteer contributor |
| Chuvash Wikipedia | Volunteer contributor |
| Iranian Wikimedians User Group | Volunteer contributor, Volunteer organizer/coordinator |
| Karakalpak Wikimedia community | Volunteer contributor, Editor, bot, gadget developer, Volunteer organizer/coordinator |
| Kazakh Wikipedia | Volunteer contributor |
| Kyrgyz Wikipedia language community | Volunteer organizer/coordinator, Staff member, Volunteer contributor |
| Wikimedians of Latvia User Group | Volunteer contributor |
| Wikimedia Armenia | Volunteer contributor, Staff member, Volunteer organizer/coordinator |
| Wikimedia Community of Kazakh language User Group | Volunteer contributor, Volunteer organizer/coordinator |
| Wikimedia Community User Group Greece | Volunteer contributor |
| Wikimedia Community User Group Turkey | Volunteer contributor, Staff member, Volunteer organizer/coordinator |
| Wikimedia Czech Republic | Volunteer contributor, Board member, Volunteer organizer/coordinator |
| Wikimedia Estonia | Volunteer contributor, Volunteer organizer/coordinator |
| Wikimedia Poland | Volunteer contributor |
| Wikimedia Serbia | Volunteer contributor |
| Wikimedia Ukraine | Staff member, Volunteer organizer/coordinator |
2.2 Age distribution
[edit]Most respondents are young adults, primarily 18–25 and 26–30 years old, as 30 is also the maximum age of the CEE Youth Group members who were asked to provide their answers to the survey.
- Under 18 (77.8%)
- 18-25 (19.4%)
- 26-30 (2.8%)
2.3 Pathways to Wikimedia
[edit]Young people discover the Wikimedia community in several ways. These pathways help us understand where outreach is working — and where more structure is needed:
Organic discovery
[edit]Many respondents first learned about Wikimedia activities while browsing or editing Wikipedia and other projects.
Peer networks and social media
[edit]Friends, classmates, and youth organizers play a key role in introducing new members. Social media — especially Telegram, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok — is one of the strongest recruitment channels across the region.
Events and programs
[edit]Edit-a-thons, camps, and local outreach projects are major entry points. For example, WikiStipendiya in Uzbekistan helped many students get involved for the first time.
Educational and institutional partnerships
[edit]Collaborations with schools and universities are a key pathway. Many young members were introduced to Wikimedia through lectures, university workshops, or formal educational programs like Wikimedia Czech Republic’s “Students write Wikipedia.”
Understanding who these young members are and how they arrive provides the necessary context for the next step: examining what activities and support structures are available to them upon joining.
3.0 Mapping youth activities and onboarding
[edit]3.1 Regional patterns and trends
[edit]Based on the survey responses, the projects and programs designed for or that successfully attract youth, as detailed in the sources, can be categorized based on their primary format, duration, and objective.
Immersive and residential camps (long-form, structured learning)
[edit]These programs are typically multi-day events held away from the usual environment, focusing on intensive training, community building, and content creation.
| Program name | Organising community | About |
|---|---|---|
| WikiCamps | Wikimedia Armenia | Organized two times a year as Winter Youth WikiCamp and Summer Youth WikiCamp for different age groups (9-14, 15-18, and 19-35), focusing on contribution, intellectual games, cultural, and sports activities. The agenda includes workshops, photography expeditions, and collaborative editing projects. |
| Young Wikipedians Wikicamp Azerbaijan | Azerbaijani Wikimedians User Group | Financially supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, focusing on creating new articles and contributing text to Wikisource. |
| Edu Wiki Camp | Wikimedia Serbia | Organized yearly, promoting open knowledge and youth involvement. |
| Karakalpak WikiNomad | Karakalpak Wikipedia community | A small, in-person project involving practical editing and content-creation sessions for new young volunteers. |
| WikiOromgoh | Wikimedians of the Uzbek Language User Group | Youth camp organized with the Youth Affairs Agency of Uzbekistan as part of the WikiStipendiya marathon. |
Academic and institutional integration (curricular and club-based)
[edit]These programs leverage formal education settings (schools and universities) to recruit, train, and integrate students into Wikimedia projects, often tying contributions to coursework or establishing dedicated spaces.
| Program name | Organising community | About |
|---|---|---|
| WikiClubs | Wikimedia Armenia | Located at schools, universities, or youth centers, providing a dedicated room, equipment, and a coordinator who teaches and assists members |
| University internships | Wikimedia Armenia | Students translate articles as part of a graded internship program. |
| Wiki Student Clubs | Wikimedia Community User Group Turkey | Wikimedia Community User Group Turkey encourages establishment of Wiki Student Clubs in academic institutions. |
| Wikipedia Education Program | Wikimedia Community User Group Turkey | Engages with young people in educational institutions. |
| University of Ljubljana Wiki Student Club | Wikipedians of Slovenia User Group | Holds regular meetings (every three weeks) for short lectures, edit-a-thons, and workshops, successfully attracting new young contributors. |
| Students write Wikipedia | Wikimedia Czech Republic | Focused on middle schools and universities, involving lectures followed by students writing or expanding articles. |
| English Language translation practicum | Wikimedia Community User Group Greece | Collaboration with university professors (e.g., Athens University) where students translate articles for practice. |
| Wiki Ambassador meetings | Wikimedia Serbia | Focused on connecting youth to educational institutions and students. |
| Seminars at universities and institutions in Nukus | Karakalpak Wikipedia community | Aimed at introducing students to Wikimedia projects and encouraging contribution. |
| WikiStipendiya | Wikimedians of the Uzbek Language User Group | A large-scale project often involving training sessions at universities to encourage youth to create and improve articles in the Uzbek language. |
| Student Trainings | Wikimedia Ukraine | Organizing trainings for students in schools or universities regarding how Wikipedia works and how to join. |
Competitions, marathons, and large-scale editing campaigns
[edit]These activities are typically focused on boosting content creation within a specific timeframe or theme, often utilizing stipends or prizes to motivate young contributors.
| Program name | Organising community | About |
|---|---|---|
| Wikipedia Asian Month Marathon | Karakalpak Wikipedia community | Contests focused on creating and improving articles. |
| Wikimedia CEE Spring | Wikmedians of Latvia User Group | An editing contest hosted since 2016 that attracts youth participation. |
| Wiki Loves Sport and Wiki Loves Fashion projects | CA Youth Community | Youth-led projects focusing on thematic editing, sometimes offering small gifts to winners. |
| Wikipedia Book Month, WikiSport | Wikimedians of the Uzbek Language User Group | Specific thematic wiki projects. |
| Thematic Week about Youth | Wikimedia Ukraine | A specific initiative to encourage editing on youth-related topics, though it was noted that contribution was made mostly by older Wikipedians |
Specialized skill-building and technical programs
[edit]These programs are focused on specific technical skills, data management, or localized training rather than general content creation.
| Program name | Organising community | About |
|---|---|---|
| Ionian Wikithon | Wikimedia Community User Group Greece | An annual hackathon and datathon focused on Wikidata and coding, expanding in scope each year. |
| Youth Workshop of Kashkadarya and Kashkadarya Regional Program | Wikimedians of the Uzbek Language User Group | Organized locally to create articles on youth and children's rights, often using external funding like the Wikimedia Rapid Fund. |
| Wiki Kadam seminars | Kyrgyz Wikimedia community | Training seminars that successfully gained new active participants who then started organizing their own events. |
| Wiki Loves Earth workshops on photography, Wikipedia Asian Month editing workshops | Kyrgyz Wikimedia community | Workshops focused on specific technical skills like photography for contests. |
Community outreach and general engagement
[edit]These activities serve primarily to promote the movement, recruit new members, or provide continuous informal connection.
| Program name | Organising community | About |
|---|---|---|
| Photo tours before contests (e.g., Wiki Loves Monuments) | Wikimedians of the Uzbek Language User Group | Giving young participants a chance to explore cultural and natural heritage while contributing photos. |
| Weekly meetings on Discord and contests about youth | Wikimedia Ukraine | Provides a continuous, informal online space for connection. |
| Conferences (e.g., CEE Meeting, Central Asian WikiCon) | Kazakh Wikipedia community, Wikimedia Community User Group Greece | Participation in regional and global events, providing international exposure and networking opportunities. |
| Photowalk, student-meetup and gathering | Wikimedia Estonia | Local outreach activities. |
3.2 Community spotlights
[edit]Wikimedia Armenia
[edit]A complete youth engagement model — WikiCamps, WikiClubs, internships — combined with strong activity on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. Multiple entry points help young people stay active long-term.
Wikipedians of Slovenia User Group
[edit]Youth engagement is emerging thanks to student leadership. The University of Ljubljana Wiki Student Club was started by a young member — a strong example of youth-driven innovation.
Kyrgyz Wikipedia community
[edit]Offline workshops successfully attract newcomers, but without long-term programs or follow-up, retention is very low. The Kyrgyz respondents see the need for a clear structure and ongoing support for youth.
3.3 Information and onboarding channels
[edit]Ways to join a community differ a lot across the region.
The given examples include:
- membership forms (e.g., Wikimedia Poland),
- Telegram channels,
- social media links,
- Meta pages and website contacts.
However, unclear entry points are a recurring challenge. One respondent noted their community is “pretty hard to find / reach”, which highlights a need for more visible, youth-friendly onboarding pathways.
4.0 Youth experience, support, and inclusion
[edit]To keep people active and motivated, we must understand how supported young contributors feel in their communities.
4.1 Perceptions of support and inclusion
[edit]When asked to rate how supported and included young people feel on a scale of 1 to 5, the responses revealed a strong contrast. Communities with high scores (4-5 stars out of 5) like Wikimedia Armenia, Azerbaijani Wikimedians User Group, and Wikimedia Community User Group Turkey often have structured youth programs and dedicated resources.
Communities with low scores (1-2 stars out of 5) such as the Wikipedians of Slovenia User Group, the Kyrgyz community, the Wikimedia Community of Kazakh language User Group, and Wikimedia Ukraine typically lack youth-focused activities and formal support systems, according to the responses.
| Score | Count |
|---|---|
| 1 (2,8%) | 1
|
| 2 (22,2%) | 8
|
| 3 (25%) | 9
|
| 4 (33,3%) | 12
|
| 5 (16.78%) | 6
|
4.2 Analysis of available support structures
[edit]Respondents identified several types of support that are currently available in their communities. However, the availability of these elements is uneven — depending largely on community size and maturity.
- Mentorship and guidance: Experienced Wikimedians offering guidance is a form of support mentioned by respondents from Latvia, Serbia, and Ukraine, among others.
- Training and skill-building: Formal training sessions are available in communities with structured programs, such as Armenia and Karakalpakstan.
- Financial or logistical support for events: Affiliates like Wikimedia Estonia, Wikimedia Armenia, and Wikimedia Community User Group Turkey provide resources to cover expenses for events and meetups.
- Opportunities for leadership: Young members in communities like Latvia, Serbia, and Armenia report having opportunities to take on leadership roles.
- International connections: Information about regional and global opportunities is seen as a key form of support in the Uzbek, Greek, and Czech communities.
4.3 Critical gaps in support
[edit]While some support exists, respondents were clear about what is missing. The most frequently cited needs fall into four thematic categories.
| Missing support | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Structured training and mentorship | The most pressing need identified; Newcomers who feel lost and make mistakes often lose motivation without guidance. |
| Financial support | A lack of funding is a major barrier to launching and sustaining youth activities. |
| Clear community structure & governance | Young contributors want visible ways to take part in decision-making. |
| International opportunities | Youth want stronger connection with the wider Movement |
5.0 Identified barriers and challenges
[edit]An honest assessment of systemic barriers is the first step toward developing targeted solutions. The survey responses reveal several obstacles, from programmatic deficiencies to negative social dynamics, that actively hinder broader youth participation and retention in the CEECA region.
- Absence of youth-focused programmes A fundamental barrier in several communities is the simple lack of a dedicated strategy for youth engagement. When young people are not seen as a distinct group with unique needs and interests, opportunities for recruitment and retention are lost. They become an afterthought rather than a focus of community-building efforts.
- Communication gaps and isolation Ineffective or non-existent communication channels can leave young members feeling disconnected from both their local community and the wider Wikimedia movement. This isolation prevents them from accessing opportunities, finding support, and feeling a sense of belonging.
- Resource and structural deficiencies Many communities, particularly smaller or less formal ones, struggle with a lack of essential resources. This includes insufficient funding for events, a shortage of active organizers to lead initiatives, and the absence of formal structures to support growth.
- Negative community dynamics Beyond structural issues, internal community dynamics can create a toxic or unwelcoming environment for newcomers. Respondents mentioned that elitism and ongoing conflicts in some communities make young people feel unwelcome and push them away.
6.0 Recommendations for local communities and affiliates
[edit]1. Create welcoming mentorship and onboarding programs
Communities should make it easier for new young members to join and feel included. This could mean:
- Pairing new members with experienced mentors
- Holding regular beginner workshops
- Making simple guides and instructions so newcomers know what to do and don’t get frustrated
2. Support youth-led initiatives and meetings
Give young people opportunities to organize their own activities. This could include youth meetings, brainstorming sessions, or small projects. It helps them connect with each other, share ideas, and run their own events.
3. Be active on social media
Since most young people find communities through social media, it’s important to have active accounts on platforms like Instagram and Telegram. This helps with sharing information, recruiting new members, and keeping the community connected.
4. Empower young leaders
Communities should give young members real responsibility. This could include:
- Youth roles on boards or committees
- Supporting youth-led clubs
- Involving young people in planning and decision-making This helps them feel valued and ensures their voices are heard.
5. Start small and show results
Communities with fewer resources should begin with small, low-cost youth activities. Keep track of what works and what doesn’t. Sharing these results can help secure bigger support and funding later.
7.0 Appendices
[edit]This section contains supplementary data tables and direct quotations from the survey for further reference and deeper analysis.
7.1 Appendix A: Youth programs and activities by community
[edit]| Community / Affiliate | Program / Activity name | About |
|---|---|---|
| Wikimedia Armenia | WikiCamps, WikiClubs, University Internships | A multi-pronged ecosystem of recurring camps, school/university clubs, and formal internships for students. |
| Azerbaijani Wikimedians User Group | Annual Wikicamps | Yearly camps for youth, financially supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sports. |
| Wikimedia Czech Republic | Students write Wikipedia | A program focused on middle schools and universities involving lectures followed by students writing/expanding articles. |
| Iranian Wikimedians User Group | Conferences and workshops in universities | A series of events held at universities to engage students and introduce them to Wikimedia projects. |
| Karakalpak Wikimedia community | WikiNomad-Karakalpakstan | A microgrant-funded workshop with practical editing and content-creation sessions for new volunteers. |
| Kyrgyz Wikipedia language community | WLE workshops, WAM editing workshops, Wiki Kadam seminars | A series of offline workshops related to photo contests, editing marathons, and community building. |
| Wikimedia Serbia | Edu Wiki Camp | An annual camp focused on teaching young people about Wikimedia projects and opportunities for involvement. |
| Wikimedia Community UG Turkey | Student WikiClubs | Encourages the establishment of student-led clubs in educational institutions to organize local events. |
| Wikimedia Ukraine | Youth Week, Weekly meetings in Discord | Member-led initiatives including a past themed editing week and ongoing informal meetings in a Discord server. |
| Wikimedians of the Uzbek Language Users Group | WikiStipendiya | A large-scale project involving training sessions at universities, meet-ups, and photo tours. |
| Wikipedians of Slovenia User Group | University of Ljubljana Wiki Student Club | A student-led club that holds meetings, lectures, edit-a-thons, and workshops every three weeks. |
7.2 Appendix B: Onboarding channels and contact points by community
[edit]| Community / Affiliate | Information & joining channels | Contact details |
|---|---|---|
| Wikimedia Armenia | Social media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok), website, email (info@wikimedia.am) | General contact via social media/email |
| Azerbaijani Wikimedians User Group | Meta-Wiki page, wikimedia.az, registration form on Meta | Contact via registration form |
| Wikimedia Czech Republic | wikimedia.cz website, social media, mailing list, Discord server, membership form | Contact via membership form |
| Wikimedia Community User Group Greece | Meta page, website (blog.wikimedia.gr), universities, events | Contact Konstantinos Stampoulis |
| Iranian Wikimedians User Group | Meta page, Telegram group, social media | Contact via Telegram, board listed on Meta |
| Karakalpak Wikimedia community | Meta page, Telegram, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube | Contact via Telegram group |
| Wikimedia Community of Kazakh language User Group | Meta page, unofficial Telegram group | Contact persons listed on Meta page |
| Wikimedians of Latvia User Group | Meta page, Telegram/chat channels | Contact Mārtiņš Bruņenieks |
| Wikimedia Poland | Website, Meta page, membership form (wikimedia.pl/dolacz) | Contact via membership form |
| Wikimedia Serbia | Website (wikimedia.rs), Instagram, Facebook | Any of the managers or Wiki Ambassadors |
| Wikipedians of Slovenia User Group | Meta page, Instagram, Linktree | Contact Jernej Polajnar and Vera Pelhan |
| Wikimedia Community UG Turkey | Community website, Wikipedia page, email | Contact via email for membership application |
| Wikimedia Ukraine | Official affiliate page (ua.wikimedia.org), social media | General contact via social media |
7.3 Appendix C: Representative youth voices
[edit]I for example didn't even know CEE Youth Group existed (or Wikimania,...) until like 2 months ago when I saw that the voting process for new delegates for Thessaloniki was underway. I have been a very active editor for almost 6 years now... I think that tells a lot.
— Respondent from Wikipedians of Slovenia User Group
New participants especially lack timely support, training, and mentoring. They quickly lose motivation due to mistakes and quickly disappear.
— Respondent from Wikimedia Community of Kazakh language User Group
Unlike educators or elder people, we don't have particular programmes or activities for younger editors. They just co-exist with other elder people in the community.
— Respondent from Wikimedia Ukraine
...there were several CEE microgrant one time offline events workshops, which could involve more young students, but they didn’t stay for long or they don't know what to do with Wikipedia, so maybe we need more structures and long term programs.
— Respondent from Kyrgyz Wikipedia language community
The only people who give support to specifically young people are other young people, like myself, through my WikiClub. Otherwise, you have to find your information yourself.
— Respondent from Wikipedians of Slovenia User Group
The last time I reached out to them was because I was interested in the trip to Greece, but they basically told me that I was on my own. I haven’t had any activity on Wiki since then, and I assumed it was some elitist thing that I do not want to be a part of.
— Respondent from Wikipedians Romania & Moldova
I believe more international engagement will help the local youth. Because of the region and sometimes the language barriers, they are isolated and only involved in local activities.
— Respondent from Wikimedia Armenia