Wikimedia chapters/Reports/Wikimedia Bangladesh/2025
 | This page reports Wikimedia Bangladesh-related activities and projects organized and/or supported in 2025. This report was made by Moheen. |
Overview
In 2025, Wikimedia Bangladesh implemented a broad range of programmes focused on content creation, community development, capacity building, and institutional collaboration across the country. Through contests, edit-a-thons, workshops, meetups, photowalks, and training initiatives, the chapter actively supported contributors working across Bangla Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects. These collective efforts generated substantial, measurable outcomes, resulting in the creation of over 12,000 new and improved pages, the upload of more than 70,000 photographs and media files to Wikimedia Commons, and direct public engagement with over 3,000 participants through online and offline activities nationwide.
A significant emphasis was placed on strengthening Bangla-language knowledge platforms through nationwide contests and thematic campaigns that expanded and enriched content across Bangla Wikipedia, Bangla Wikisource, Bangla Wiktionary, Bangla Wikibooks, Bangla Wikiquote, Bangla Wikivoyage, Wikimedia Commons, and Wikidata. These initiatives improved both the volume and quality of freely accessible educational resources while encouraging newcomer participation and skill development. Content growth was complemented by structured community-building measures, including the formal recognition of the Dhaka Wikimedia Community and the launch of the PUST WikiClub, which advanced decentralisation and regional leadership.
Community development and partnerships remained central to the chapter’s strategy. Regular meetups and training programmes, along with women-focused activities under the WikiNandini initiative, strengthened collaboration, inclusivity, and peer learning. GLAM partnerships with libraries and national archives facilitated the digitisation and release of historically significant public domain materials, broadening access to cultural heritage. Together, these efforts enhanced institutional relationships, built local capacity, and reinforced the sustainability of volunteer-led contributions.
Overall, the chapter’s activities in 2025 demonstrated clear and scalable impact, marked by significant content growth, expanded media resources, and increased public participation. By combining measurable outputs with long-term community investment, Wikimedia Bangladesh continued to advance free knowledge in Bangla while fostering a more decentralised, inclusive, and resilient Wikimedia movement nationwide.
Growth
Building on the foundation established in previous years, Wikimedia Bangladesh experienced substantial organisational growth in 2025 in both scale and programme delivery. In 2024, the chapter organised a total of 35 events across various thematic areas. By 2025, this number increased significantly to 65 events, representing an 86% growth and nearly doubling the overall level of community engagement and programmatic activity within a single year.
This expansion reflects the chapter’s strengthened operational capacity, increased volunteer participation, and a more structured and decentralised approach to programme planning and execution. The growth was not limited to numerical increase alone; it also indicated wider geographic outreach, deeper community involvement, and more consistent engagement through contests, workshops, meetups, edit-a-thons, photowalks, and training initiatives held throughout the year.
The rise in activities was closely linked to the formal recognition of regional communities, the launch of new community-led platforms such as the Dhaka Wikimedia Community and PUST WikiClub, and enhanced coordination among local organisers across multiple regions of Bangladesh. These developments enabled more frequent, locally driven events and reduced reliance on centrally coordinated programmes.
Furthermore, the increase in events directly contributed to higher participant engagement, improved contributor retention, and sustained content growth across Wikimedia projects. By combining strategic planning with community-led implementation, Wikimedia Bangladesh successfully transitioned from steady expansion in 2024 to accelerated and structured growth in 2025, reinforcing its role as a rapidly evolving and resilient affiliate within the global Wikimedia movement.
Activity Statistics
| Activity | Count |
|---|---|
| Governance | 01 |
| Advocacy & Policy Engagement | 01 |
| Contests | 05 |
| Community Development | 02 |
| Capacity Building | 07 |
| GLAM | 03 |
| Community Engagement | 22 |
| Photowalks | 04 |
| Publications | 03 |
| Technical Development | 01 |
| Training | 01 |
| Workshops | 08 |
| Gathering | 05 |
| Community Celebrations | 02 |
| Total | 65 |
Outcomes
|
Pages Created
12,000+
|
Photos Uploaded
70,000+
|
Public Engagement
3,000+
|
Growth (based on 2024)
86%
|
Governance
Annual General Meeting
AGM 2024: The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Wikimedia Bangladesh was held online via Zoom on 18 January 2025, with 31 registered members in attendance. The meeting was convened and documented by the General Secretary and presided over by the President. Key agenda items included the presentation and review of the 2024 organisational report and the financial statement for the 2023–2024 fiscal year. Members formally reviewed the financial summary and approved the accounts through consensus.
The AGM also served as a governance forum to discuss organisational matters and future direction. Discussions included the review of executive committee member engagement and measures to strengthen accountability and participation, as well as forward planning for upcoming institutional priorities. The meeting concluded with a reaffirmed commitment to transparent governance, improved coordination, and sustainable community growth, reinforcing Wikimedia Bangladesh’s organisational structure and oversight for the year ahead.
Advocacy & Policy Engagement
Press Information Department
- Coordinated by: Delwar
In 2025, Wikimedia Bangladesh facilitated a landmark collaboration with the Press Information Department (PID) of the Government of Bangladesh, resulting in the release of more than 60,000 official photographs into the public domain. These photographs, captured during government programs, state events, and national activities, are now openly accessible for public use under PID’s revised access policy, marking one of the largest public domain releases of government media in the country.
This milestone was achieved through sustained advocacy and constructive dialogue with key government stakeholders, including the Chief Advisor’s Press Secretary. A pivotal meeting on mid August 2025, initiated by Delwar with participation from Shabab Mustafa and Rocky, formally proposed the public domain release of PID’s photographic archive. Following positive engagement, an official public notice was issued on 24 August 2025, bringing all PID photographs produced since 2015 under the public domain.
The release has significantly strengthened Wikimedia projects by addressing long-standing gaps in freely licensed visual documentation related to Bangladesh’s governance and public life. With coordinated community efforts and structured upload processes, the archive is now being systematically integrated into Wikimedia Commons, ensuring proper metadata, categorization, and long-term reuse. This partnership stands as a strong example of how strategic advocacy can enable institutional openness and advance the free knowledge movement in Bangladesh.
Content Development
Amar Ekushey Article Contest 2025
| Participants | Articles Created | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 407 | 546 | 28 days |
The 8th edition of the Amar Ekushey Article Contest 2025, an annual flagship article contest of Bangla Wikipedia, was successfully held in February 2025. The contest recorded strong nationwide engagement, with 407 registered participants, the majority of whom were newcomers to Wikipedia, reflecting its effectiveness as an entry point for new contributors. Over the course of the campaign, participants created 546 articles for review, significantly expanding Bangla Wikipedia’s coverage across diverse topics. The accepted articles strengthened the quality and depth of encyclopedic content while building contributor capacity through hands-on editing experience.
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A prize-giving ceremony was held on 26 September 2025 in Dhaka, bringing together Wikipedians from different regions of the country. Beyond recognizing top contributors, the event served as a platform for networking, peer learning, and community bonding, fostering sustained engagement and motivating participants to continue contributing beyond the contest. Collectively, the initiative reinforced volunteer retention, strengthened the editor pipeline, and contributed to the long-term growth of the Bangla Wikimedia community.
Bangla Wikiquote Contest 2025
- Coordinated by: MS Sakib
| Participants | Articles Created | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 63 | 588 | 31 days |
Quote Contest 2025 was organized to increase the number of quotations and improve the overall quality of Bangla Wikiquote. Hosted by Bangla WikiConnect, the month-long contest ran from 7 April to 7 May 2025, engaging contributors in curating notable quotations across a diverse range of subjects.
A total of 63 participants took part in the contest and collectively contributing over 588 articles. This concentrated effort significantly expanded the scope and usability of Bangla Wikiquote, enhancing its value as a curated repository of sourced quotations for readers, researchers, and the wider Wikimedia ecosystem.
Wikibooks Writing Contest 2025
- Coordinated by: MdsShakil
| Participants | Books Created | Words Contributed | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 210 | 1,385 | 1,146,509 | 31 days |
The Wikibooks Writing Contest 2025 was an annual contest organized on Bangla Wikibooks, aimed at producing new books and expanding free educational resources in the Bengali language. Hosted by Bangla WikiConnect, the month-long initiative was held from 7 May to 7 June 2025 and encouraged contributors to develop structured, curriculum-oriented content for learners and educators, thereby strengthening the growth and usability of Bangla Wikibooks.
A total of 210 participants engaged in the initiative, resulting in the creation of 1,385 new books on Bangla Wikibooks. The contest also generated a substantial volume of content, with an accepted word count of 1,146,509 words. Through this concentrated effort, Bangla Wikibooks saw significant growth in both volume and diversity of educational materials, reinforcing its role as a free learning resource for students, educators, and self-learners.
Wiktionary Entry Contest 2025
- Coordinated by: Aishik Rehman
| Participants | New Entries | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 6,152 | 31 days |
The Wiktionary Entry Contest 2025 was organized to expand the breadth of lexical entries and enhance the utility of Bangla Wiktionary as a freely accessible linguistic resource. Bangla WikiConnect hosted the contest, which took place from 1 to 31 July 2025, engaging contributors in the creation and improvement of dictionary-style entries across diverse linguistic categories.
A total of 50 participants took part in the initiative, collectively creating 6,152 new entries over the month-long period. This focused effort substantially increased the volume of Bangla Wiktionary content, supporting language preservation, vocabulary development, and public access to structured lexical information.
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Wikivoyage Article Contest 2025
- Coordinated by: Yahya
| Participants | Articles Created | Words Contributed | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 70 | 360 | 1,356,260 | 31 days |
The Wikivoyage Article Contest 2025 was a month-long contest organized to mark World Tourism Day, to enrich Bangla Wikivoyage through high-quality travel guides and destination articles. Hosted by Bangla WikiConnect, the contest ran from 1 to 30 September 2025, encouraging contributors to document travel destinations, cultural attractions, and practical visitor information for both local and international readers.
A total of 70 participants contributed to the initiative, collectively creating 360 new articles on Bangla Wikivoyage. The contest generated a substantial volume of content, with an accepted total of 1,356,260 words, significantly expanding the platform’s geographic and cultural coverage. This effort strengthened Bangla Wikivoyage’s role as an open travel resource and demonstrated sustained community engagement around the development of free knowledge in the travel and tourism domain.
Wikipedia:Good Article Review Campaign 2025
| Total Reviewed | Total Passed | Success Rate | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 16 | 76.67% | 41 days |
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The Wikipedia Good Article Review Campaign 2025 marked the third consecutive year of this community-driven initiative aimed at improving and promoting high-quality content on Bangla Wikipedia. The campaign encouraged volunteers to systematically review articles against Wikipedia’s Good Article criteria, focusing on accuracy, neutrality, comprehensiveness, sourcing, and overall readability. Through structured peer review and collaborative assessment, experienced editors mentored newer contributors and strengthened quality assurance practices across the project.
During the campaign period, 16 articles were formally reviewed and successfully passed the Good Article assessment, reflecting a strong success rate and measurable improvement in article quality and standards. Online preparatory workshops were organized to strengthen participants’ reviewing skills and ensure a consistent understanding of the Good Article criteria and evaluation guidelines. Over the course of the initiative, Bangla Wikipedia has collectively achieved over 270 Good Articles, significantly enhancing the reliability, depth, and credibility of its content while fostering a sustainable culture of quality-focused editing within the community.
Culture & Heritage
Wiki Loves Bangla 2025
- Coordinated by: Moheen
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| Uploads | Participants | New Registered | Regions | FPs | QIs | VIs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,800 | 191 | 160 | 03 | 16 | 208 | 01 |
In 2025, Wikimedia Bangladesh, in partnership with West Bengal Wikimedians, jointly organized the second edition of Wiki Loves Bangla under the collaborative banner of the Bangla WikiMoitree. The initiative aimed to enrich Wikimedia projects with high-quality, freely licensed content representing the shared culture and heritage of Bengal, a region connected by language and history but divided by an international border. As part of a long-term strategy, the affiliates agreed to organize the competition annually with a common cross-border theme. The 2025 theme, Birds of Bengal, encouraged contributors to document regional biodiversity and natural heritage.
The month-long campaign, held from 1 March to 10 April 2025, mobilized photographers and Wikimedians from both sides of the border and resulted in a significant number of quality image contributions to Wikimedia Commons. An experienced organizing team and an international jury ensured broad participation, fair evaluation, and strong community engagement. The uploaded media strengthened visual representation of local ecosystems and supported the improvement of related articles across Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects.
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The program concluded with a prize-giving ceremony on 26 September 2025 at Bishwo Shahitto Kendro, Dhaka, attended by approximately 30 participants, including contributors and community members. Beyond content generation, the initiative fostered cross-community collaboration, increased skills in documentary photography, and reinforced regional partnerships. Overall, Wiki Loves Bangla continued to serve as an effective platform for preserving cultural and natural heritage while advancing the movement’s mission of sharing open knowledge.
Community Development & Decentralisation
Dhaka Wikimedia Community Launch
The Dhaka Wikimedia Community was formally recognised in April 2025 as a regional affiliate of Wikimedia Bangladesh, representing a key milestone in the chapter’s nationwide decentralisation strategy and efforts to strengthen local participation beyond centrally coordinated activities. The community was established to provide Dhaka-based contributors with a structured platform for collaboration, capacity building, and region-specific outreach while remaining aligned with the broader goals of the national movement. As one of the country’s most active contributor bases across Bangla Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, and related projects, Dhaka’s formal organisation has enabled more coordinated offline programmes, consistent local leadership, and sustained volunteer engagement, ensuring greater operational efficiency and long-term growth of Wikimedia activities in the capital.
Alongside this recognition, Wikimedia Bangladesh continued expanding its regional network by formally recognising six active regional communities across the country. These affiliates collectively strengthened grassroots participation, facilitated locally led events and partnerships, and reduced dependency on central coordination. This distributed structure improved programme reach, increased contributor retention, and supported more inclusive and sustainable growth of the Wikimedia movement in Bangladesh.
PUST WikiClub Launch
PUST WikiClub was launched at Pabna University of Science and Technology as a Wikimedia-oriented student club and formally recognized by Wikimedia Bangladesh. The club was established as a non-political, non-profit, volunteer-driven platform dedicated to advancing free knowledge and fostering structured engagement with Wikimedia projects within the university environment. The initiative marks an important step toward expanding Wikimedia activities beyond major cities and strengthening regional and campus-based participation.
The club aims to engage students in contributing to Bengali Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects, encourage the translation of academic and course-related content from English into Bengali, and promote the principles of free knowledge, free software, and open culture. Through training sessions, workshops, seminars, photowalks, edit-a-thons, and guided participation in contests and campaigns, the WikiClub supports skill development, leadership, and awareness of copyright, public domain, and Creative Commons practices, creating a sustainable pipeline of new contributors from the university community.
Capacity Building
Bangla Wikipedia Edit-a-thon (April 2025)
- Coordinated by: MdsShakil
The Dhaka Wikimedia Community hosted a full-day Bangla Wikipedia edit-a-thon on 18 April 2025 at the Wikimedia Bangladesh office, creating a focused, collaborative environment for contributors to improve the quality and clarity of Bangla Wikipedia’s policy and guideline pages. Designed as a hands-on working session rather than a formal workshop or conference, the event prioritized active editing, enabling participants to translate, update, and refine essential governance and community documentation that supports the day-to-day functioning of the project.
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A total of 8 Wikimedians participated with their own devices and worked collectively throughout the day to produce tangible improvements, including translating key materials, standardizing language, and resolving content gaps and inconsistencies. The session resulted in immediate enhancements to the accessibility and usability of policy resources while strengthening participants’ collaborative editing practices and peer support. By reinforcing shared standards and fostering practical skills development, the edit-a-thon contributed to a more organized, sustainable, and quality-focused Bangla Wikimedia community.
International Museum Day Edit-a-thon (May 2025)
- Coordinated by: Moheen
| Participants | Articles Created | Words Contributed | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | 96 | 50,434 | 07 Days |
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Museums play a crucial role in cultural exchange, enriching societies and fostering mutual understanding, cooperation, and peace among people. In celebration of International Museum Day, Chattogram Wikimedia Community organized an edit-a-thon on the Bangla Wikipedia (bn.wikipedia.org). It was a landmark event, marking the first of its kind since the inception of Bangla Wikipedia. It demonstrated the power of community collaboration in preserving and sharing cultural heritage. The three-day edit-a-thon was held from 18 to 24 May 2025, with this year’s theme being 'The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities.' Dedicated participants applied their expertise and effort, resulting in the creation of 96 new articles on Bangla Wikipedia, covering various museums in South Asia.
Bangla Wikipedia Edit-a-thon (June 2025)
- Coordinated by: Tahmid, ManikDas1122
On 28 June 2025, the Rajshahi Wikimedia Community organized a day-long offline edit-a-thon at the Divisional Public Library, Rajshahi. The session brought together seven Wikimedians to collaboratively improve the quality of Bengali Wikipedia articles. The event was open to all contributors, with travel support offered to participants from other districts within the Rajshahi division.
Participants engaged in hands-on editing throughout the day, contributing over 250 edits across approximately 30 articles. Attendees were required to bring internet-enabled devices such as laptops or mobile phones, and the session followed Wikimedia’s friendly conduct and photography guidelines. The edit-a-thon provided a focused platform for knowledge-sharing, skill-building, and strengthening the local Wikimedia community in Rajshahi.
International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples Edit-a-thon (August 2025)
- Coordinated by: Moheen
| Participants | Articles Created | Words Contributed | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 57 | 41,067 | 07 Days |
On 9 August, the United Nations observes the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples to promote the protection of Indigenous rights and to raise global awareness of their histories, cultures, and contemporary challenges. In 2025, the theme “Indigenous Peoples and Artificial Intelligence: Protecting Rights, Building the Future” highlighted the need to ensure that rapidly evolving AI technologies support Indigenous languages, cultural knowledge, and heritage rather than harm them, and underscored the importance of inclusive participation in shaping an AI-driven future. In alignment with this global observance, a dedicated online edit-a-thon was organized on the Bangla Wikipedia to enhance the representation of Indigenous communities, their cultures, languages, and lived experiences. The initiative addressed existing content gaps and advanced the objective of making Bangla-language open knowledge more inclusive and reflective of marginalized voices.
The edit-a-thon engaged 11 active participants, who collectively created 57 new articles and contributed a total of 41,067 words to the Bangla Wikipedia. The activity demonstrated how collaborative volunteer efforts can enrich Wikimedia projects while amplifying Indigenous perspectives and strengthening public understanding of Indigenous heritage and rights.
Mental Illness Awareness Week Edit-a-thon (October 2025)
- Coordinated by: Moheen
| Participants | Articles Created | Words Contributed | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | 43 | 92,675 | 07 Days |
During Mental Illness Awareness Week in October 2025, an online edit-a-thon was organized on the Bangla Wikipedia to expand and improve coverage on mental health topics, including mental illnesses, treatment approaches, and related social issues. The initiative aimed to reduce content gaps and support public awareness by improving access to reliable information in Bangla.
A total of 19 participants contributed to the edit-a-thon, creating 43 new articles and adding 92,675 words. The activity enhanced the availability of mental health knowledge on Wikimedia platforms and supported ongoing efforts to improve health-related content on the Bangla Wikipedia.
Assamese–Nepali–Bangla Interwiki Collaborative Editing Fair (November 2025)
- Coordinated by: Dolon Prova, Anup Sadi
| Participants | Articles Created | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | 51 | 10 Days |
From 5–14 November 2025, a ten-day Assamese–Nepali–Bangla Interwiki Collaborative Editing Fair 2025 was organized under the initiative of Wikimedia Bangladesh, in partnership with contributors from the Assamese Wikipedia, Nepali Wikipedia, and Bangla Wikipedia communities. The campaign aimed to promote cross-border collaboration and enrich content related to language, culture, and heritage by bringing together Wikimedians from the region to contribute freely and collectively across the three language editions.
A total of 51 new articles were created, and 2 articles were improved. Among these, 25 new articles and 1 improvement were made on Assamese Wikipedia, while 26 new articles and 1 improvement were recorded on Nepali Wikipedia. The initiative engaged 17 participants, of whom 13 were active contributors, including 4 women. The editing fair demonstrated measurable cross-community productivity and reinforced the value of structured interwiki collaboration in strengthening multilingual Wikimedia content.
Wiki Loves Children 2025 (December 2025)
- Coordinated by: Bangla WikiConnect
| Participants | Articles Created | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 63 | 1,094 | 36 Days |
Wiki Loves Children 2025 was an annual online article creation contest organized by Bangla WikiConnect with the objective of promoting and improving child-related content across Bangla Wikipedia and related Wikimedia projects. The initiative focused on expanding freely accessible knowledge on children’s rights, safety, healthcare, education, and overall development, addressing existing content gaps in these critical thematic areas.
As part of the broader global Wiki Loves Children (WLC) campaign—an international, community-led initiative dedicated to enhancing the quality and reach of child-related knowledge on Wikipedia and its sister projects—the 2025 edition was held from 1 December 2025 to 5 January 2026. The campaign encouraged volunteers to create and improve encyclopedic content that supports awareness, education, and inclusive knowledge access for topics related to children and childhood.
A total of 63 participants took part in the contest, collectively creating 1,094 new articles. This concentrated effort significantly enriched Bangla Wikipedia’s coverage of child-focused topics while strengthening thematic content diversity and social awareness within the platform. Beyond content creation, the initiative also engaged new and existing contributors in meaningful knowledge work aligned with global priorities on child welfare, information accessibility, and inclusive digital education, thereby reinforcing the role of the Bangla Wikimedia community in addressing socially relevant knowledge gaps.
GLAM
GLAM at Shah Makhdum Institute Public Library (August 2025)
- Coordinated by: ROCKY
In December 2024, the Rajshahi Wikimedia Community launched Bangladesh’s first-ever GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums) initiative at the Shah Makhdum Institute Public Library, a historic institution founded in 1891. This landmark project marked a significant step in bridging the gap between the country’s cultural heritage and open digital access. The library, with a collection of over 12,000 books including rare and out-of-print texts, early 20th-century newspapers, literary anthologies, and academic works, provided a unique foundation for preserving and sharing Bangladesh’s intellectual legacy.
Under this initiative, selected rare and valuable materials from the library were digitised and made freely available on Wikimedia platforms such as Wikisource and Wikimedia Commons. The project ensured the long-term preservation of fragile documents while enabling students, researchers, educators, and the general public worldwide to access these resources. The effort was coordinated by ROCKY, founder of the Rajshahi Wikimedia Community and a long-time Wikimedia Bangladesh Executive Committee member, with support from active community members Safy, Rabiba, Tahmid, and Manik Das. Wikimedia Bangladesh provided logistical and technical support, helping streamline the digitisation workflow and ensuring quality archival practices.
This pioneering GLAM collaboration not only preserved a critical part of Bangladesh’s cultural memory but also demonstrated the potential of local Wikimedia communities to lead open-access initiatives. By digitising and sharing these historical resources, the project set a precedent for future partnerships with libraries, archives, and museums across the country, reinforcing Wikimedia’s mission to make knowledge freely available and culturally significant collections accessible to a global audience.
Bangladesh’s First Digitised Palm-Leaf Manuscript: Shyama Mantra (July 2025)
- Coordinated by: ROCKY
In July 2025, the Rajshahi Wikimedia Community achieved a historic milestone in cultural preservation by digitising Bangladesh’s first known palm-leaf manuscript, a rare text titled Shyama Mantra. Written in Sanskrit using Bengali script and traditionally associated with Kali Puja (Shyama Puja), the manuscript represents a unique intersection of religious tradition, regional script practices, and material heritage.
Believed to be over 200 years old and composed prior to circa 1800, the manuscript was discovered in a private collection in the Rajshahi region. It consists of 84 fragile palm leaves, though leaves numbered 66 and 71 could not be recovered. Despite these gaps, the manuscript offers significant insight into early devotional literature, historical linguistic forms, and manuscript culture in Bengal.
Through a careful and systematic digitisation process, the Rajshahi Wikimedia Community successfully scanned the complete surviving leaves, ensuring the preservation of this delicate artifact in a stable digital format. The work was carried out by active community members, including Tahmid and Manik, who played key roles in documenting, handling, and inspecting the manuscript during the digitisation workflow. This process required special attention due to the manuscript’s fragile condition and the challenges of preserving palm-leaf materials.
This initiative marked the first time a palm-leaf manuscript in Bangladesh has been digitally preserved under Wikimedia Bangladesh’s GLAM efforts. By safeguarding and documenting Shyama Mantra, the project contributes to the long-term preservation of tangible cultural heritage while making rare historical knowledge more accessible to researchers, scholars, and the broader public. It also establishes an important precedent for future GLAM collaborations involving manuscripts, private archives, and endangered heritage materials across the country, further strengthening the role of community-led digitisation in preserving Bangladesh’s intellectual and cultural legacy.
GLAM at Bangladesh National Archives (October 2025)
- Coordinated by: Tausheef Hassan
The Dhaka Wikimedia Community organized an offline GLAM activity at the Bangladesh National Archives on 9 October 2025. The event aimed to familiarize Wikimedians with the archives’ operations, membership procedures, and document request processes, while exploring opportunities for broader GLAM collaboration. Participants toured various sections of the archives, gaining insight into its workflows and administrative structure. They also reviewed historical records and maps, learning how archival materials could be utilized for Wikimedia projects and educational purposes. Discussions with archive officials highlighted possibilities for long-term cooperation, including the systematic digitization of historical documents.
As part of the activity, attendees scanned and uploaded 19 public domain documents and maps to Wikimedia Commons, making them freely accessible to the public. Key items include:
- 1776 maps of Bengal by James Rennell
- 1879 survey maps of the Char area of the Meghna River
- 1939 letters from Sir Salimullah Muslim Orphanage
- 1958 documents and photographs of East Pakistan political figures and provincial council members
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1776 maps of Bengal by James Rennell -
1879 survey maps of the Char area of the Meghna River -
1939 Sir Salimullah Muslim Orphanage Letter Press Building Grant Request -
The Azad Front page 1958-04-01
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This GLAM initiative not only enriched Wikimedia Commons with historically significant materials but also strengthened collaboration between the Wikimedia community and a key national cultural institution. The activity was attended by seven participants.
Community Engagement
In 2025, Wikimedia Bangladesh facilitated a series of both online and offline meetups, fostering collaboration, community engagement, and knowledge sharing among Wikimedians across the country. The year saw a total of 21 meetups, comprising 14 offline gatherings in cities including Dhaka, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Sylhet, Dinajpur, and Rangpur, and 07 online sessions connecting contributors from different regions. These meetups included monthly community gatherings, regional coordination meetings, WikiPatrika and WikiNandini sessions, GLAM activities, and heritage photowalks.
Collectively, these events engaged approximately 180 active participants, providing platforms for networking, skill development, project planning, and collaborative discussions. Offline meetups enabled face-to-face interactions that strengthened local community coordination, fostered partnerships with institutions such as the Bangladesh National Archives and Avro Team, and facilitated workshops, photowalks, and GLAM initiatives. Online meetups, including regional community coordinators’ meetings and women-focused WikiNandini sessions, ensured continuity of engagement, inclusivity, and wider participation from contributors across Bangladesh and neighboring regions. Together, these initiatives enhanced volunteer ownership, promoted equitable participation, and reinforced the Wikimedia movement’s decentralized growth across the country.
Offline Meetups
Wikimedia Bangladesh Meets Avro Team (February 2025)
In 2025, Wikimedia Bangladesh organised an open community meetup with the recipients of the Ekushey Padak in the Science and Technology category—the Avro Keyboard Team. The Ekushey Padak, the second-highest civilian award in Bangladesh, is conferred in memory of the martyrs of the 1952 Language Movement. The session was open to the public and brought together Wikimedians, technology enthusiasts, and invited guests for an interactive exchange. All four members of Team Avro—Mehdi Hasan Khan, Rifat Nabi, Tanbin Islam Siam, and Shabab Mustafa—were present. Among them, Shabab Mustafa serves as President of Wikimedia Bangladesh and Tanbin Islam Siam as an Executive Member. Renowned photographer Nasir Ali Mamun also attended the gathering.
The meetup focused on recognising Avro’s longstanding contributions to Bengali computing and digital accessibility. Discussions explored the role of open-source tools, language technology, and community-driven innovation in strengthening Bengali content creation and participation online. The session provided attendees with the opportunity to engage directly with the team, exchange experiences, and reflect on the shared goals of open knowledge and inclusive digital ecosystems. Overall, the event fostered meaningful dialogue and strengthened connections between the Wikimedia and broader technology communities.
Dhaka Wikimedia Meetup (March 2025)
- Coordinated by: Dhaka Wikimedia Community
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The Dhaka Wikimedia Meetup brought together 14 active volunteers (out of 19 registered participants) for an in-person gathering that lasted nearly four hours, creating an opportunity for Wikimedians to exchange updates, strengthen relationships, and review the community’s ongoing work. The agenda focused on sharing experiences, discussing current projects, and identifying priorities for the coming months. A key outcome of the session was a collective discussion on forming a structured Dhaka regional community to coordinate local initiatives better. Participants deliberated on organisational roles, including the selection of a Coordinator and Co-coordinator, and proposed initial names to move the process forward. Plans were also outlined for future meetups, workshops, edit-a-thons, and GLAM-related activities, with a commitment to hold an online follow-up meeting to include members who could not attend in person.
The meetup had a tangible impact on both organisational clarity and community motivation. By initiating the formation of a formal regional structure, the group took concrete steps toward improving local leadership, accountability, and programme continuity. The discussions helped align members around shared goals and strengthened collaboration among volunteers, laying the groundwork for more consistent outreach and capacity-building efforts in Dhaka. Overall, the session reinforced community cohesion and helped build a more active, organised, and sustainable Wikimedia presence in the capital.
Rajshahi Wikimedia Meetup (March 2025)
- Coordinated by: Tahmid
In 2025, the Rajshahi Wikimedia Community held a local meetup, bringing together six active contributors. The session served as a platform to review ongoing community activities, evaluate past initiatives, and plan for upcoming projects.
Participants collaborated on the community’s work plan and decision-making processes, identifying priorities for outreach, workshops, and content contributions. The meetup enhanced knowledge sharing, strengthened local coordination, and reinforced the community’s capacity to support Wikimedia projects in the Rajshahi region.
Dinajpur Wikimedia Meetup (March 2025)
- Coordinated by: Dolon Prova
An onsite meetup was held in Dinajpur with four participants. Discussions focused on organizing a photowalk at local museums in Dinajpur city and exploring collaborative editing initiatives with the Santali Wikipedia community. The session also served as an opportunity to connect local contributors and identify future outreach activities in the region.
Rajshahi Wikimedia Meetup (April 2025)
- Coordinated by: Tahmid
On 14 April 2025, the Rajshahi Wikimedia Community held a local meetup at the Transportation Courtyard, Rajshahi University, from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM. The session coincided with the Bengali New Year celebrations, providing a friendly environment for participants to exchange greetings while engaging in discussions on Wikimedia projects.
Five participants attended the meetup, focusing on reviewing the community’s ongoing activities, planning future initiatives, and making collaborative decisions. The gathering fostered knowledge exchange, strengthened community coordination, and offered a platform for building relationships among active contributors in the Rajshahi region.
Sylhet Wikimedia Meetup (April 2025)
- Coordinated by: Ashiq Shawon
On 9 April 2025, the Sylhet Wikimedia Community organized an open meetup for Wikimedians, providing a space for both local contributors and visiting guests to connect and exchange ideas. The session began with a friendly exchange of New Year greetings, reflecting the Bengali New Year celebrations.
Four participants attended the initial hour, with one additional Wikimedian joining later during the meal break. Discussions focused on the growth of Bangla and Sylheti Wikipedia, strategies to strengthen Wikimedia Bangladesh’s offline activities, and plans to nurture new contributors through workshops in local colleges and universities. The meetup fostered collaboration, community-building, and laid the groundwork for expanding regional participation in Wikimedia projects.
Dhaka Wikimedia Meetup (June 2025)
- Coordinated by: MdsShakil
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On 27 June 2025, the Dhaka Wikimedia Community organized its monthly meetup at the Wikimedia Bangladesh office. The session was open to all contributors, providing an inclusive space for discussion and collaboration.
During the two-hour meeting, participants exchanged greetings, reviewed ongoing community activities, and discussed work plans and decision-making for upcoming projects. The meetup also included planning for future meetups, social gatherings, and workshops. Various community matters were addressed, fostering coordination and engagement among local Wikimedians.
Dhaka Wikimedia Meetup (July 2025)
- Coordinated by: DeloarAkram
On 26 July 2025, the Dhaka Wikimedia Community hosted its monthly meetup, open to all members of the regional community. The session provided a platform for local Wikimedians to discuss ways to advance Bangla Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects, as well as opportunities for active participation in the movement within Dhaka.
The meeting included knowledge exchange among participants, planning for an upcoming photowalk, discussions on ongoing community activities, and collaborative decision-making on future meetups, edit-a-thons, and workshops. A total of four Wikimedians attended, engaging in constructive dialogue to strengthen local Wikimedia initiatives.
Mymensingh Wikimedia Meetup (July 2025)
- Coordinated by: Dolon Prova, Anup Sadi
On 11 July 2025, the Mymensingh Wikimedia Community organized an offline meetup in Kewatkhali, Mymensingh Sadar, as part of its regular regional engagement activities supported by Wikimedia Bangladesh. The meetup primarily brought together local Wikimedians and remained open to anyone interested in contributing to Wikimedia projects. The informal gathering created a friendly environment for discussion, collaboration, and strengthening community connections.
The session focused on discussions related to Wikisource, including content development and opportunities for expanding free knowledge resources. A notable highlight of the meetup was the contribution of author Syeda Majida, who generously released several of her books under an open license, enabling their potential inclusion in Wikimedia projects. This contribution supported the enrichment of openly accessible literary content and reinforced the community’s commitment to free and shareable knowledge.
Dhaka Wikipedia Meetup (August 2025)
- Coordinated by: Yahya
The Dhaka Wikimedia Community organized its monthly Dhaka Wikipedia Meetup on 22 August 2025 at the Wikimedia Bangladesh Office as an in-person gathering for Wikimedians residing in Dhaka. The session was open to all interested contributors and aimed to strengthen local collaboration, review ongoing initiatives, and plan upcoming community activities. A total of six participants attended the meetup.
The program began with informal introductions and networking among participants. Yahya shared his experiences from attending Wikimania, highlighting key sessions, learnings, and insights gained from engaging with other international communities, which provided useful perspectives for local program development. Participants also discussed plans for a special celebration marking the anniversary of Wikidata, explored strategies to advance previously discussed GLAM-related initiatives, and conducted a review of the community’s activities over the past six months since its formation. The meetup concluded with collective planning to ensure more structured and sustainable local engagement in the coming months.
Rajshahi Wikipedia Meetup (August 2025)
- Coordinated by: Tahmid
The Rajshahi Wikimedia Community organized an offline Bangla Wikipedia Meetup on 29 August 2025 at Sabash Bangladesh Field, University of Rajshahi, bringing together five local Wikimedians for an in-person discussion session. The one-hour meetup was open to all interested contributors and provided a casual yet focused environment for community engagement.
Participants gathered to discuss a range of topics related to Bangla Wikipedia, including ongoing editing activities, collaboration opportunities, and ideas to strengthen local participation. The meetup facilitated peer exchange, reinforced relationships among active contributors, and helped align short-term priorities for future meetups and content development efforts in the Rajshahi region, contributing to sustained regional growth within the Wikimedia movement.
Mymensingh Wikimedia Meetup (September 2025)
- Coordinated by: Dolon Prova, Anup Sadi
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The Mymensingh Wikimedia Community organized an offline Wikimedia Meetup on 28 September 2025 at the Bakul Tala General Library, Netrokona Sadar, Mymensingh, bringing together four local Wikimedians. This regular community meetup was primarily intended for contributors from the Mymensingh region, and participation was open to anyone interested. The session offered a friendly, informal setting akin to a social gathering for knowledge exchange and collaborative discussion.
During the meetup, participants engaged in discussions on Wikisource and content collection, explored ways to increase women’s participation in Wikimedia projects, and held an open floor discussion to share experiences and ideas. The session strengthened local coordination, fostered peer-to-peer learning, and helped set the stage for future community activities in the region.
Dhaka Wikimedia Meetup (October 2025)
- Coordinated by: Yahya, Ishtiak Abdullah
The Dhaka Wikimedia Community organized its monthly offline meetup on 4 October 2025 at the Wikimedia Bangladesh office. The session was open to all members of the Dhaka Wikimedia Community, providing a platform to discuss strategies for advancing Bangla Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects. A total of six participants attended the meetup.
The meeting began with introductions and informal exchanges among Wikimedians, followed by a review of ongoing community activities. Participants discussed and decided on the community’s upcoming work plans, including the scheduling and preparation for future meetups, social gatherings, and workshops. The session concluded with miscellaneous discussions and planning, fostering stronger local collaboration and coordination.
WikiPatrika Meetup (August 2025)
- Coordinated by: DeloarAkram, Mehedi Abedin
On 1 August 2025, the Dhaka Wikimedia Community, in collaboration with the WikiPatrika Editorial Team, organized an offline WikiPatrika Meetup at the Institute of Education and Research, University of Dhaka. The meetup was open to all interested Wikimedians and focused primarily on strengthening the planning, sustainability, and community engagement of WikiPatrika, the community-driven publication of Bangla Wikimedia projects. Although participants covered their own travel and meal expenses, light refreshments were arranged by the editorial team. A total of seven community members participated in the session.
The meeting facilitated structured discussions on improving the regularity of publication, distributing editorial responsibilities to reduce dependency on a small number of contributors, and enhancing coordination in cases of limited availability of the chief editor. Several participants voluntarily committed to contributing articles and editorial support. Strategies for increasing readership and attracting new contributors were also explored, including better use of monthly statistics tools and targeted outreach efforts. Proposals such as introducing periodic recognition for active editors and organizing meetups, workshops, and campaigns at educational institutions were discussed to encourage broader participation. A brief photowalk was also conducted. Overall, the meetup contributed to clearer operational planning, strengthened volunteer ownership, and laid the groundwork for a more sustainable and collaborative future for WikiPatrika.
Online Meetups
Regional Community Coordinators’ Meeting (August 2025)
- Coordinated by: ROCKY
Wikimedia Bangladesh organized the Regional Community Coordinators’ Meeting on 23 August 2025 as an online coordination session aimed at strengthening collaboration and improving communication among regional Wikimedia communities across Bangladesh. This was the first formal coordination meeting of regional community coordinators, bringing together 18 participants, including community coordinators and representatives from multiple regions of the country.
The meeting commenced with brief self-introductions, followed by a welcome address from the President of Wikimedia Bangladesh, who emphasized the importance of regional communities in sustaining the Wikimedia movement’s decentralized structure. Coordinators from Chattogram, Rajshahi, Cumilla, Chandpur, Mymensingh, and Dhaka shared concise updates on their communities’ current status, ongoing initiatives, challenges, and future plans. Discussions highlighted activities such as GLAM-Wiki initiatives, Wikisource digitization efforts, local edit-a-thons, writers’ meetups, and strategies to address volunteer inactivity and leadership continuity.
Participants collectively emphasized the need for regular coordination meetings among regional communities to ensure knowledge sharing and collaborative planning. The possibility of organizing an offline coordinators’ meetup was also discussed. Wikimedia Bangladesh concluded the session by designating a focal person to support and coordinate regional community activities, reinforcing institutional support for decentralized community development. The meeting ended with a vote of thanks to all participants.
Inaugural Meeting of the Dhaka Wikimedia Community (March 2025)
- Coordinated by: Yahya
In March 2025, Wikimedia volunteers in Dhaka convened an inaugural meeting to formally initiate the Dhaka Wikimedia Community. The meeting brought together 13 participants and focused on preparing an application for official recognition under Wikimedia Bangladesh. Key discussions covered the eligibility criteria for approval, the proposed size and initial structure of the community, and preliminary planning for future activities following formal endorsement. Participants also explored the organisation of new workshops and local engagement initiatives to strengthen outreach and contributor development in the Dhaka region.
During the session, the leadership structure was finalised, with Muhammad Yahia appointed as Chief Coordinator and Shakil Hossain, Jahin Wadud, and Delowar Akram selected as Co-coordinators. A two-year leadership term was agreed upon, with a review scheduled after the first year. The group discussed the formal approval process, noting that the application would be submitted within one to two days. Internal communication channels, including Telegram and a mailing list, were proposed to facilitate coordination. The meeting established a clear operational framework and laid the foundation for sustained local activities and community growth in Dhaka.
Dhaka Wikimedia Meetup (May 2025)
- Coordinated by: DeloarAkram, Yahya
In May 2025, the Dhaka Wikimedia Community held its monthly meetup for Wikimedians. Due to adverse weather conditions, the session was moved online and conducted via Google Meet, ensuring safety while maintaining engagement. A total of 14 Wikimedian joined the meetup, engaging in discussions that included exchanging greetings, reviewing ongoing community activities, and planning upcoming initiatives. The session also focused on decision-making for future meetups, edit-a-thons, and workshops. This virtual gathering reinforced collaboration among Dhaka-based contributors and strengthened coordination for the community’s continued development.
Rangpur Wikimedia Meetup (July 2025)
- Coordinated by: Anup Sadi
On 4 July 2025, Wikimedians from the Rangpur region, with support from Wikimedia Bangladesh, organized their first online regional meetup. The session was primarily intended for contributors based in Rangpur, while remaining open to interested participants from other divisions. The meetup marked an initial step toward strengthening regional coordination and building a structured local Wikimedia presence in northern Bangladesh. The program began with participant introductions to foster familiarity and collaboration among contributors. Discussions then focused on the formation of a Rangpur regional Wikimedia community, including its potential structure, objectives, and future activities. A total of five Wikimedians took part in the meeting, laying the groundwork for future regional engagement and community-led initiatives.
Assamese–Nepali–Bangla Interwiki Collaborative Meetup (November 2025)
- Coordinated by: Dolon Prova, Anup Sadi
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Wikimedia Bangladesh, in collaboration with the Assamese Wikimedia Community and the Nepal Wikimedia Community, organized an interwiki collaborative meetup on 23 November 2025. The initiative aimed to strengthen cross-language collaboration among Wikimedians from Assam, Nepal, and Bangladesh, fostering a shared platform for knowledge exchange in the fields of art, literature, culture, and heritage. Participants engaged in discussions in their respective mother tongues, creating an inclusive environment that respected linguistic diversity while encouraging collective learning and cooperation.
The meeting focused on planning the Interwiki Collaborative Editing Fair 2025 and identifying future areas of joint engagement. Discussions explored expanding collaboration with smaller Indian-language Wikimedia communities, working across additional Bangla Wikimedia projects, and developing GLAM-related initiatives. Participants also expressed interest in organizing a collaborative editing fair in April and a joint edit-a-thon in March in observance of International Women’s Day, involving Assamese and Bangla Wikipedians. The meetup reaffirmed a shared commitment to sustained regional cooperation and the advancement of multilingual content across Wikimedia platforms.
WikiNandini Online Meetup (March 2025)
- Coordinated by: Dolon Prova
WikiNandini organized an online meetup for women Wikimedians under the WikiNandini initiative. Unlike region-based community meetups, this regular online session is dedicated to connecting and supporting women contributors across Wikimedia projects. The meetup included five participants and focused on community check-ins and discussions on planned activities to mark International Women’s Day.
WikiNandini Online Meetup (July 2025)
- Coordinated by: Dolon Prova
On 4 July 2025, WikiNandini organized a regular online meetup for women Wikimedians, held from 19:30 to 20:30 BST. This session was open to all women contributors from Bangladesh, India, and beyond, fostering a collaborative and inclusive space for discussion and networking. The one-hour session focused on introductions, planning future activities, and outlining an upcoming online editing session specifically for women Wikimedians. Participants discussed ways to support each other, share knowledge, and strengthen their engagement within Wikimedia projects.
WikiNandini Online Meetup (December 2025)
- Coordinated by: Dolon Prova
On 13 December 2025, WikiNandini organized their third online meetup for female Wikipedians, hosted under the initiative of Wikimedia Bangladesh. This regular online session is open to women contributors from any region, enabling participation from Bangladesh, India, and beyond. The meetup provided a platform for Wikimedians to connect, exchange greetings, and strengthen the community of female editors. During the session, participants discussed the upcoming Wikipedia anniversary, shared ideas for future WikiNandini initiatives, and explored strategies to enhance engagement and collaboration among women editors. The meetup facilitated knowledge exchange, inspired new activities, and reinforced ongoing efforts to support and empower female contributors across Wikimedia projects.
Photowalks
Dhaka Wikimedia Photowalk (April 2025)
| Total Uploads | Total participents |
|---|---|
| 55 | 4 |
In April 2025, the Dhaka Wikimedia Community organized its first regional photowalk, exclusively for local Wikimedians. The event provided participants with an opportunity to capture and contribute freely licensed images of the city to Wikimedia Commons, supporting the visual documentation of Dhaka’s culture, landmarks, and public spaces.
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Four participants joined the photowalk, following Wikimedia Commons guidelines for image contributions. Attendees were encouraged to upload their own photographs under their own copyright and categorize each image under Category:Dhaka Wikimedia Photowalk, April 2025 The activity not only enriched Commons with over local images but also strengthened community engagement and collaborative content creation among Dhaka-based contributors.
Dhaka Wikimedia Photowalk (May 2025)
- Coordinated by: DeloarAkram
| Total Uploads | Total participents |
|---|---|
| 72 | 01 |
On 10 May 2025, the Dhaka Wikimedia Community organized its second photowalk, focused on engaging local contributors and documenting the city’s heritage. The event took place from 10:00 to 16:30 BST in Panam Nagar, Narayanganj, and was primarily aimed at Wikimedians from the Dhaka region.
Participants were encouraged to capture images of any location suitable for Wikimedia Commons, ensuring that all photographs were their own work and appropriately attributed. Each upload was to include the category Category:Dhaka Wikimedia Photowalk, May 2025. This initiative contributed to expanding freely licensed visual content of Dhaka, while fostering collaboration, skill development, and community engagement among local contributors.
Rock Museum Photowalk (June 2025)
- Coordinated by: Dolon Prova, Anup Sadi
| Total Uploads | Total participents |
|---|---|
| 374 | 02 |
On 28 June 2025, Wikimedia Bangladesh organized a full-day photowalk at Panchagarh, focused on documenting the museums of the Rangpur division. The activity aimed to capture and freely share images of cultural and historical artifacts from the region.
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Participants were instructed to upload only their own photographs to Wikimedia Commons, with appropriate copyright attribution. The photowalk resulted in a total of 374 freely licensed images are uploaded, significantly enriching visual content related to the heritage and museums of northern Bangladesh.
Dhaka Wikimedia Photowalk (July 2025)
- Coordinated by: DeloarAkram, MdsShakil
| Total Uploads | Total participents |
|---|---|
| 84 | 02 |
On 22 July 2025, the Dhaka Wikimedia Community organized a photowalk at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. This event was specifically aimed at Wikimedians from the Dhaka region and coincided with the Bangladesh–Pakistan cricket match held at the stadium.
Participants were encouraged to capture photographs of the venue and surroundings that are acceptable for Wikimedia Commons. All images had to be taken by the participants themselves, with copyright attributed to the photographer. Photos uploaded from the event were categorized under "Dhaka Wikimedia Photowalk, July 2025". Attendees were responsible for arranging their own match tickets if they wished to join the photowalk inside the stadium. The event provided a unique opportunity to document the cultural and sporting atmosphere of Dhaka while contributing freely licensed media to Wikimedia projects.
Dhaka Heritage Photowalk (November 2025)
- Coordinated by: Yahya
| Total Uploads | Total participents |
|---|---|
| 229 | 02 |
On 1 November 2025, the Dhaka Wikimedia Community organized an offline heritage photowalk in Old Dhaka. The event brought together local Wikimedians to explore historically significant sites across the city and document them through photography. Participants focused on capturing images of heritage buildings, traditional architecture, and culturally valuable landmarks, contributing to the preservation and dissemination of Dhaka’s rich architectural and cultural heritage.
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All photographs taken during the walk were uploaded to Wikimedia Commons under the dedicated category ensuring proper attribution to the photographers. A total of 229 images were uploaded, providing freely accessible visual documentation of Old Dhaka’s historic sites and enhancing Wikimedia Commons as a repository for heritage resources.
Publications
Wikimedia Bangladesh published three editions of its official online magazine, WikiBarta, during this year, continuing to serve as a strategic communication, documentation, and outreach platform for the Bangla Wikimedia community. The publication supported knowledge sharing, preserved institutional memory, and highlighted major programmes, partnerships, and volunteer achievements across the country. By systematically documenting stories, lessons learned, and outcomes from key initiatives, WikiBarta strengthened transparency, recognised community contributions, and sustained engagement among contributors from diverse regions, while also functioning as a public record of Wikimedia Bangladesh’s activities and overall impact.
The February 2025 issue, marking the 12th edition of WikiBarta, was dedicated to Bangla WikiConference 2024. The edition provided comprehensive coverage of the conference, including event highlights, participant experiences, and reflections on sessions and community discussions. By documenting the conference outcomes and showcasing contributor perspectives, the issue helped extend the impact of the event beyond attendees, disseminating insights and best practices to the wider community and reinforcing collaboration among Bangla Wikimedians. Read the February 2025 issue
The September 2025 issue, released as the 13th edition, focused on the Wiki Loves Bangla photography contest and its broader community impact. The publication highlighted contest activities, participation trends, and notable outcomes, including quality visual contributions that enriched Wikimedia Commons and related projects. Through detailed reporting and storytelling, the issue celebrated volunteer efforts, promoted photographic documentation of local heritage and nature, and encouraged sustained participation in future campaigns and community-led initiatives. 'Read the September 2025 issue
The October 2025 issue, released as the 14th edition, was dedicated to Wikimania 2025 held in Nairobi, Kenya, which brought together 776 Wikimedians from over 135 countries, including seven Bangla-speaking participants. The edition compiled firsthand accounts, reflections, and cultural observations from attendees, documenting their experiences across sessions, meetups, hackathons, GLAM collaborations, and partnership-focused discussions. By capturing these global learning opportunities and exchanges, the issue strengthened international visibility for Bangla contributors, encouraged broader participation in future global events, and reinforced the community’s connection and collaboration with the wider Wikimedia movement. Read the October 2025 issue
Technical Development
PID Bot
In 2025, Wikimedia Bangladesh expanded its technical capacity to support large-scale content integration through the development and operation of PID-Bangladesh-UploadBot on Wikimedia Commons. The bot was created to systematically process and upload the extensive public domain archive released by the Press Information Department (PID) of Bangladesh. Given the scale of the release—over 60,000 historical government photographs—automation was essential to ensure accuracy, consistency, and sustainability.
Developed and maintained by Yahya and Tausheef Hassan, the bot operates hourly on Wikimedia Toolforge and automates image discovery, metadata extraction, bilingual description generation, licensing application, and structured categorization. By integrating OCR, translation workflows, and policy-compliant upload mechanisms, the system significantly reduced manual workload while preserving high metadata quality standards.
As of December 2025, the bot has uploaded more than 62,000 images, substantially enriching Wikimedia Commons and addressing long-standing content gaps related to Bangladesh’s governance, institutions, and public events. This initiative demonstrates Wikimedia Bangladesh’s growing technical self-reliance and its ability to build scalable infrastructure to support national-level open knowledge collaborations.
Training
Wiki Leaders Training 2025
- Coordinated by: COT
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Wikimedia Bangladesh organized the inaugural Wiki Leaders Training 2025 on 24–25 October in Cox’s Bazar. Designed as a two-day leadership and capacity-building workshop, the program focused on developing emerging Wikimedia leaders from across Bangladesh. Fifteen active contributors were selected for this first cohort based on regional recommendations and demonstrated involvement within the movement.
The training emphasized leadership development, community health and safety, technical proficiency, and long-term program sustainability. Sessions covered foundational leadership skills, Wikimedia tools and workflows, conflict resolution, outreach strategies, and GLAM collaboration. Interactive workshops, group planning exercises, and hands-on technical labs supported participants in strengthening their ability to lead local communities and initiate institutional partnerships.
The initiative sought to foster cross-regional collaboration, expand participation in national and thematic activities, and support a more resilient and inclusive movement ecosystem. The first edition successfully established a framework for continued leadership development within Wikimedia Bangladesh and is envisioned as a recurring platform to build future community leaders.
Workshops
During the year, Wikimedia Bangladesh organised a total of six capacity-building workshops aimed at strengthening community engagement and enhancing contributors’ skills across Wikimedia projects. Two of these were online thematic workshops focused on Wikibooks and Bangla Wikipedia. Three were in-person workshops that provided hands-on training on Wikipedia, Wikisource, and Wikimedia Commons, enabling participants to gain practical editing experience. Another dedicated session focused on Wikimania, introducing participants to the annual global conference for Wikimedians and guiding them through the scholarship application process. Collectively, these workshops fostered responsible, informed, and active participation, contributing to the sustainable growth of the Wikimedia movement in Bangladesh.
Bangla Wikibooks Workshop (May 2025)
- Coordinated by: MS Sakib
On 6 May 2025, an offline Bangla Wikibooks workshop was held at Pabna University of Science and Technology (PUST), Pabna Sadar, Pabna. The session was organized for the current members of the PUST WikiClub, prior to the formal establishment of the club, with the aim of providing hands-on training on writing and editing for Wikibooks.
The workshop covered foundational skills, including an introduction to Wikibooks, guidance on how to write content, and detailed discussions about the Bangla Wikibooks Writing Competition 2025. Participants demonstrated strong engagement and performed exceptionally well in the competition: MS Sakib secured 1st place, SMontaha32 2nd place, Asikur Rahman 3rd place, Sheikh Mehedi Hassan ranked within the top 10, and Anik Kanti Dey placed among the top 15.
Wiktionary Entry Editing Workshop (July 2025)
- Coordinated by: Yahya, MdsShakil, Aishik Rehman
On 2 July 2025, Bangla WikiConnect and the Dhaka Wikimedia Community jointly organized an online Wiktionary Entry Editing Workshop. The session was held from 20:30 to 22:00 BST and aimed to support the "Wiktionary Entry Competition 2025" by training participants in creating high-quality entries on Bangla Wiktionary. The workshop was open to all and provided an opportunity for both new and experienced contributors to enhance their skills.
During the workshop, nine participants learned how to create entries manually, explored the Lexinary Gadget (beta version), and received detailed guidance on using various templates and modules within Bangla Wiktionary. The session included skill-sharing discussions, a walkthrough of the competition process, and a dedicated Q&A segment, fostering collaboration and capacity-building among contributors.
Bangla Wikipedia Workshop, Al Amin Academy School And College, Chandpur (October 2025)
- Coordinated by: Delwar
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An offline Bangla Wikipedia workshop was held on 11 October 2025 at the Al Amin Academy School and College campus in Chandpur. The workshop brought together teachers, students, and technology-enthusiastic youth with the objective of raising awareness about Bangla Wikipedia, providing hands-on editing training, and encouraging participation in the free knowledge movement. The program introduced participants to how Wikipedia functions, its role in knowledge sharing and AI training data ecosystems, and the core policies and guidelines for editing. Practical sessions covered article creation and improvement, copyright and free licensing, uploading images to Wikimedia Commons, and resolving common editing challenges. A dedicated question-and-answer segment facilitated experience sharing and participant engagement.
A total of 130 individuals registered for the workshop, with approximately 34 participants attending in person, including students from local schools, colleges, and madrasas, as well as working professionals. Participants gained practical editing experience and expressed interest in contributing regularly to Bangla Wikipedia.
Bangla Wikipedia Workshop, AI Computer Academy, Chandpur (October 2025)
- Coordinated by: Delwar
An offline Bangla Wikipedia workshop was conducted on 11 October 2025 at AI Computer Academy in Chandpur. The session engaged teachers, students, and technology-enthusiastic youth, with the objective of increasing awareness about Bangla Wikipedia, providing hands-on editing training, and encouraging participation in open knowledge initiatives. The workshop covered an overview of how Wikipedia functions, its broader role in knowledge sharing and AI training ecosystems, and the core policies and guidelines for contributing. Practical training included article creation and editing, copyright and free licensing, uploading images to Wikimedia Commons, using images appropriately, and addressing common editing challenges. An interactive question-and-answer session enabled experience sharing and participant engagement.
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A total of 130 individuals registered through an open online application process. Despite unfavorable weather conditions, approximately 25 participants attended in person, including students and teachers from local schools, colleges, and madrasas. Participants gained practical editing experience and expressed interest in contributing regularly to Bangla Wikipedia.
Wikimedia Training Workshop 2025, Kushtia (November 2025)
- Coordinated by: Moheen
| Participants | Female Participants | Male Participants |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | 28% | 82% |
A two-day Wikimedia Training Workshop was conducted on 20–21 November 2025 at the Ashru Archive in Kushtia, jointly organised by Wikimedia Bangladesh and the Ashru Archive. The workshop brought together approximately 25 participants from multiple districts across the country, representing diverse backgrounds including students, teachers, researchers, writers, and artists. With women comprising 28% of attendees, the programme reflected meaningful gender and geographic diversity and expanded Wikimedia engagement beyond major urban centres.
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The training aimed to strengthen contributors’ capacity to participate effectively across Wikimedia projects, particularly Bangla Wikipedia, Wikisource, and Wikimedia Commons. Through structured sessions, hands-on editing practice, and guided demonstrations, participants developed practical skills in article writing, sourcing, neutrality, digitisation workflows, OCR-based text proofreading, and open licensing. Emphasis was placed on documenting local history, literature, and cultural heritage to ensure broader representation of Bangladesh’s knowledge online. The initiative also established continued engagement mechanisms, including a dedicated communication group and a planned online follow-up meetup.
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By partnering with the Ashru Archive—a cultural institution dedicated to preserving historical letters, photographs, and archival materials—the workshop strengthened collaboration between Wikimedia and local heritage organisations. The programme contributed to building a new cohort of trained contributors in the Kushtia region and reinforced Wikimedia Bangladesh’s ongoing efforts to decentralise community growth, promote inclusive participation, and support sustainable development of the country’s open knowledge ecosystem.
Online Workshop on Wikibooks Editing (January 2025)
- Coordinated by: Dolon Prova
WikiNandini organized an online workshop focused on editing and developing content on Wikibooks. Held via Zoom with 11 participants, the session introduced key editing workflows, content structuring, and relevant policies and guidelines for contributing to Wikibooks. The workshop aimed to build contributor capacity and strengthen engagement with open educational resources within the Wikimedia ecosystem.
Online Workshop on Creating Articles in Bangla Wikipedia
- Coordinated by: Dolon Prova
WikiNandini organized an online workshop on creating new articles on Bangla Wikipedia in observance of International Women’s Day. Held via Zoom with a total of 9 participants, the workshop covered the fundamentals of article creation, core editing practices, and relevant policies and guidelines. The initiative aimed to encourage greater participation of women contributors and promote knowledge diversity on the platform.
Wikimania Workshop, October 2025
- Coordinated by: Yahya
On 4 October 2025, the Dhaka Wikimedia Community organized a workshop on Wikimania at the Wikimedia Bangladesh office from 18:00 to 20:00 BST. The session aimed to introduce participants to Wikimania, the annual global conference for Wikimedians, and provide guidance on the Wikimania scholarship application process.
The workshop included a detailed overview of the conference, followed by a question-and-answer session and experience-sharing segment. Attendees had the opportunity to learn from past participants’ experiences and gain practical insights into preparing successful scholarship applications. The event fostered engagement and encouraged new contributors to participate in global Wikimedia activities.
WikiGathering
| Num of Gathering | Total participaants | Approx engagement |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 60+ | 1,000+ |
Since 2007, Wikimedia Bangladesh has been organizing the annual Ekushey WikiGathering on 21 February to observe International Mother Language Day, encouraging contributions to Bangla Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects. This year, the event was successfully held in five cities across Bangladesh, including Dhaka, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Chandpur and Dinajpur. Local Wikimedians engaged the public by standing in prominent locations with banners, inviting passersby to participate in enriching Bangla-language content on Wikimedia platforms.
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Dhaka -
Rajshahi -
Mymensingh -
Chandpur -
Dinajpur
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The day carries profound significance for Bangladesh, as 21 February commemorates the sacrifices of the 1952 Bangla Language Movement, where lives were lost to defend the right to speak and write in Bangla. Recognized globally by UNESCO, International Mother Language Day celebrates linguistic and cultural diversity and upholds the ethnolinguistic rights of communities worldwide.
Community Celebrations
21st Anniversary of Bengali Wikipedia
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In 2025, Bangla Wikipedia reached a significant milestone as it celebrated its 21st anniversary. To mark the occasion, Wikimedia Bangladesh organized a series of year-round programs commemorating more than two decades of free knowledge production and collaborative contribution. Activities were held across three cities—Dhaka, Dinajpur, and Netrokona—and brought together Wikimedians, researchers, students, and enthusiasts.
The celebrations highlighted Bangla Wikipedia’s evolution, its impact on democratizing knowledge, and its role in preserving and advancing the Bangla language in the digital sphere. Participants reflected on milestones achieved, ongoing challenges, and strategic opportunities for enhancing content quality and community participation. Discussions also underscored the importance of linguistic and technical innovation in supporting future growth.
The anniversary programs fostered community-building, recognized individual and collective contributions, and reaffirmed commitment to the global mission of free knowledge. The 21st anniversary stands as a testament to the strength and dedication of the Bangla Wikimedia community and its enduring potential to enrich the open knowledge ecosystem.
Wikidata's 13th Birthday
The Dhaka Wikimedia Community joined Wikimedians worldwide to celebrate Wikidata’s 13th Birthday with both onsite and online activities in Bangladesh. On 7 November 2025, twelve active contributors gathered at the Wikimedia Bangladesh office in Dhaka for a birthday celebration, featuring a cake-cutting ceremony and discussions on how Wikidata supports projects such as Bangla Wikipedia, Wikivoyage, and Wikisource through structured and linked data. In parallel, a four-day online Datathon from 7 to 10 November encouraged participants to enrich Wikidata items related to Bangladesh and Bengali culture.
During the Datathon, 17 editors made over 11,100 edits, creating 2 new items and updating more than 10,300 existing ones. Participants added 158 references, 392 claims, 218 labels, 5,200 descriptions, 24 aliases, 20 qualifiers, 13 interwiki links, and 16 media uploads to Wikimedia Commons. The celebration showcased the community’s dedication to expanding structured, multilingual, and verifiable knowledge, marking Wikidata’s milestone not only as a festive occasion but also as a reaffirmation of Bangladesh’s role in the global open-data movement.
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