Wikimedia CEE Meeting/Bids/2027/Wikimedia Polska
- Application
Wikimedia Polska, CEE Meeting Gdańsk 2027, Poland
Summary
[edit]The Polish Wikimedia community has always been eager to share knowledge with members of other communities and has been active in the global movement. The only thing that has changed in this regard, is that since we became the fiscal sponsor of the CEE Hub, we've been doing so even more willingly and with greater enthusiasm. We want to learn, gather knowledge, and share it.
The Polish community is interested in what's happening in the movement, actively participates in its activities, and is deeply invested in the future of Wikimedia projects. The strong participation in Wikimania and the conferences and events organized by WMPL is the best proof of this.
Our team of staff and volunteers is experienced in organizing events and conferences and is delighted to be responsible for preparing and participating in the 2027 CEE Meeting. Over 50 volunteers support the organization's activities and the Polish community in various ways. The Wikimedian community numbers approximately 2,000 people (5 or more edits per month) and has maintained a high level of engagement for several years (approximately 45,000 new Wikipedia articles per year).
We organise or co-organise approximately 100 events per year. These range from webinars and online training sessions, in person workshops, editing contests, local community meetings, and conferences for 100 people.
We collaborate with museums, universities, and libraries across the country. We have the knowledge and experience in knowledge transfer processes. In the coming years, these processes will continue to evolve, and technological and social changes will create ever-new challenges. Therefore, it's all the more worthwhile to meet and exchange experiences and thoughts so that together we can work more effectively for free knowledge. Let's do it in Gdańsk in 2027.
Affiliate
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Wikimedia Polska website: https://wikimedia.pl/
Wikimedia Polska employs 11 full-time professionals (including events expert) and 1 part-time staff member (graphic designer). Several more people are hired part-time every year for additional work. There are 5 volunteer board members. WMPL has 113 members. Around 50 volunteers are supporting activities dedicated to the community and organizational activities, and there are approximately 2000 active Wikimedians (5 edits or more/month). The team and the board: https://wikimedia.pl/zespol/
Wikimedia Poland conducts numerous activities in many fields. We are active in the GLAM area, recently in project Wiki Chełmoński organized in collaboration with two National Museums. Furthermore, we run a program of wiki-residents in four institutions, supervised by our GLAM manager - Kamila Neuman.
In last 12 months we become very active in open science area thanks to hiring Open Science manager - Kasia Makowska. We promote Wikimedia projects within academic environment (with special focus on Wikidata). Wikimedia Poland was invited to European Open Science School, run by our academic partner Silesian University, where we ran a workshop on open knowledge and Wikidata.
Every year we organize “Wikiteka” - 12 months long project for school librarians. Every edition is attended by 15–20 participants from all around the country, and the major event of the year is a meeting in August with around 30 participants (20 from current edition and 10 from previous ones).
Throughout most of the year, we run editing contests, large and small community events, as well as online and in-person meetings. Our community support team, managed by Małgorzata Gramatnikowska, is working closely with always happy to help group of volunteers. We send over 400 parcels a year to members of our community with awards and souvenirs.
We work in close cooperation with local institutions to preserve tangible and intangible heritage in regions of Kurpie and Silesia. We were participating in international project dedicated to cultural heritage with Wikimedia Sweden, Ukraine and Georgia (we’re waiting for the Swedish Institute decision on our grant application for extending the activities to 2025-2027 period). Likewise, we are fiscal sponsor of CEE Hub.
Every month Wikimedia Polska’s employees participate in conferences, events, festivals in Poland and Europe, where they talk about Wikimedia projects, run workshops and present the beauty of open knowledge to the public. We buy over 300 train and flight tickets a year.
Live meetings are something our community particularly enjoys. Each year, the number of participants at our conferences and other events increases. Such events provide an opportunity not only for knowledge exchange and networking, but also help maintain community activity and play an important role in preventing burnout. Therefore, organizing the CEE Meeting in Gdańsk and our community's participation in the event is crucial to our internal goals, with the primary goal of maintaining the well-being of our Wikimedians.
- Some of our activities
- GLAM Acivities:
- Community editing activities:
- Education:
Proposed event venue
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Our priority is the comfort of conference participants and logistical efficiency, so we want to concentrate as much of the activities as possible in one location. Gdańsk's hotel offerings are extensive, and our first choice will be a hotel with adequate conference facilities. Our second choices will be holding the conference at the World War II Museum or the Gdańsk Shipyard Center. The magnificent architecture of these venues and the fascinating exhibitions are a huge advantage, but logistical considerations take precedence.
- Conference halls in Gdańsk:
- Europejskie Centrum Solidarności,
- Muzeum II Wojney Światowej,
- Stocznia Gdańska.
Proposed accommodation
[edit]We are considering the following three- and four-star hotels that meet the criteria for room capacity and sufficient number of rooms. The Novotel chain is known for its high level of professionalism, and we have organised events at hotels in this chain in recent years. The four-star hotels listed below are located closer to the old part of the city, while the three-star hotels are located some distance from the city, although still in attractive locations, such as Novotel Gdańsk Marina, which is right by the sea.
4-stars hotels:
- Mercure Gdańsk Stare Miasto
- Scandic Gdańsk
- Radisson Blu Hotel Gdańsk
3 stars hotels:
- Novotel Gdańsk Marina
- Novotel Gdańsk Centrum
Proposed dates
[edit]Last weekend of September (24-26.09) or first weekend of October (01.-03.10). At the end of September the temperature is usually above 20 C and the water in the sea is still warm.
Expected total budget
[edit]Due to the distant date of the event, the budget may change.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1xdfrnAhS8PHVdJOOby8LUj_Z8O60NRLqrW6jNQBIVw0/edit?usp=sharing
Description
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Gdańsk is one of the top tourist destinations in Poland. The Main City (Old Town) with its gothic architecture and canals is a remarkable place. It’s also the city of rich and vibrant cultural and intellectual life. Furthermore, it’s a place for those who like to get active outside: swimmers, joggers, trekkers will find here everything they love.
Gdańsk and its metropolis are also home to an active Wikimedian community. They will support the organizing committee in program development, suggest the best locations for group tours and events, and their local knowledge will be invaluable to all conference participants. The city was hosting Wikimania 2010
Logistics
[edit]When organising our events, we always focus on the comfort of participants – first and foremost, so that they can reach the venue and accommodation by public transport. The most convenient solution is therefore for the conference rooms to be part of the hotel where participants are staying, and this will be one of the basic criteria when choosing a venue for a conference. The second option is to take advantage of the conference offer of one of the facilities such as the European Solidarity Centre or the Museum of the Second World War - these venues have an extremely interesting and professional range of conference services. In this option, the accommodation will be a maximum of 10 minutes' walk away.
Getting to Gdańsk and Around the City
Gdańsk is easily accessible by air, with direct flights from many major cities across the CEE region to Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport (GDN). The airport is located approximately 15 km from the city centre. You can reach the Old Town by taxi (around 20 minutes), ride-sharing apps, or the SKM train and bus connections.
The conference venue probably will be located in the heart of Gdańsk’s historic Old Town, which is easily reachable on foot or by public transport. The city has a reliable and affordable network of trams, buses, and trains. Most attractions, hotels, and restaurants are within walking distance, making it convenient to explore the city during your stay.
Organising team
[edit]Wikimedia Polska has a well-coordinated and professional team experienced in event organization. Preparations for the CEE Meeting and its execution will also be supported by a group of more than a dozen volunteers who, with their knowledge, experience, expertise and hearts, support our initiatives every day.
Head of organizing team Grzegorz Kopaczewski;
Executive team leader Marek Lewandowski (a primary contact person)
Communication and promotion Jolanta Drzewakowska
Programme coordinator Tomasz Wszeborowski
Budget Grzegorz Kopaczewski
Logistics Marek Lewandowski and Damian Kujawa (and partially outsourced - tickets)
Scholarships Małgorzata Gramatnikowska
Volunteers engagement: Ada Jakubowska
Group of volunteers
Experience
[edit]Each year, we organise at least two large conference events for the community, each accommodating approximately 100 participants. Our largest event is the annual spring conference, Wzlot. In addition, we organise a special event each year, such as the Guinness World Record for longest editing, the Mine of Knowledge, or the general assembly meeting. We organised CEE Meeting in 2017. We were WMF’s organising partner of Wikimania 2024. For years, we have practiced the logistics, technology, labour division, and volunteer engagement processes involved in organizing events.
Marek Lewandowski - event expert and executive leader of CEE Meeting 2027 organising team is experienced professional in field of event management. His broad knowledge of audio and video technology guarantees the quality of live and on-line transmission. He is an educated musician, leader and manager of the band Audiofeels.
Accessibility
[edit]Citizens of the vast majority of CEE countries can enter Poland without a visa.
Reaching key landmarks in the city centre, such as the European Solidarity Centre or the Museum of the Second World War, is quick and convenient for travellers arriving either by plane or train. From Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport, visitors can take a direct train to Gdańsk Główny (Main Station), or use taxi and ride-sharing services—most journeys take around 20–30 minutes. The Main Train Station is located within walking distance or a short tram ride from the city’s top attractions.
Gdańsk is a modern, visitor-friendly city with well-developed public transportation, including low-floor trams and buses equipped for people with reduced mobility. Stations and public transport stops feature elevators, ramps, and clear signage in multiple languages. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a returning guest, Gdańsk offers a smooth and accessible experience for everyone.