2024:Program/Collaborate with the Regional Grants Committees

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Session title: Collaborate with the Regional Grants Committees

Session type: Roundtable

Track: Contributor/Community Engagement

Language: en

Collaborate with the Regional Grants Committees is a session that will delve into the pivotal role of the Wikimedia Regional Grants Committees. We will explore the committees’ functions, the grant application process, and the challenges and lessons learned, fostering an environment of shared knowledge and mutual support.

Description

The Wikimedia Regional Grants Committees are integral to the Wikimedia Foundation’s funding programs, playing a crucial role in guiding grant proponents and making decisions on the distribution of movement grants. The committees’ work is essential in promoting equitable resource allocation and supporting the Wikimedia movement’s growth and diversity.

This is a session that will delve into the pivotal role of the Wikimedia Regional Grants Committees. We will explore the committees’ functions, the grant application process, and the challenges and lessons learned, fostering an environment of shared knowledge and mutual support.

The scope of the conversation will be on the Community Fund and specifically the General Support Funds.

What to expect; - Meet and learn who are the current members of Regional funding committees - Learn about the function of the committee - Learn about what committees look out for in grant applications - guided by the review framework and specifically for General Support Funds.

We hope participants leave the session with a comprehensive understanding of the Wikimedia Regional Grants Committees, equipping them with sufficient information that support successfully navigating the grant application process towards contributing to the Wikimedia movement’s growth and diversity.

Community Resources program officers will be at the session and will remain afterwards to support any follow up conversation needed.

Session recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4jFqkG8iHg&t=16291

How does your session relate to the event theme, Collaboration of the Open?

The session on Regional Grants Committees aligns perfectly with Wikimania 2024’s spirit, “Collaboration of the Open,” as it embodies the essence of working together openly to advance free knowledge. Here’s how the session relates to the spirit of Wikimania 2024:

▪ Open Collaboration: The session highlights the committees’ role in fostering open collaboration among diverse communities to support knowledge-sharing initiatives.

▪ Inclusivity and Diversity: It emphasizes the importance of inclusive participation and regional diversity, reflecting the spirit of collaboration across different regional geographies and thematic interests.

▪ Transparency in Funding: By discussing the grant application process and challenges, the session promotes transparency, a key aspect of open collaboration.

▪ Community Empowerment: The open discussion format of the session encourages community members to engage, share experiences, and seek assistance, strengthening the collaborative ties within the Wikimedia movement.

What is the experience level needed for the audience for your session?

Everyone can participate in this session

Resources

Presentation slides

Presentation on Google Docs

Speakers

Nanour

Regional fund committee member for SSA and MENA regions since 2021.

Butch Bustria

Butch Bustria is an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) and a dedicated Wikimedian based in Singapore. His journey with Wikipedia began in December 2005 and has since been an active contributor to Wikimedia projects, utilizing his spare time to enhance and share knowledge on the platform.

In addition to his on-wiki contributions, Butch has been involved in the Wikimedia movement’s leadership and organizing space. He has played a significant role in events such as Wikimania 2023, where he served as the Event Lead and Program Subcommittee Chair. His commitment to the Wikimedia community is evident through his efforts in fostering collaboration and knowledge dissemination.

Matthewvetter

Matthew Vetter is Professor of Language, Literature, & Writing at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He co-chairs the CCCC Wikipedia Initiative, a disciplinary project to involve more English Studies academics to contribute to Wikimedia via WikiProject Writing. He is the author, with Zach McDowell, of Wikipedia and the Representation of Reality (Routledge, 2021). He is a veteran instructor with Wiki Education, as well as a researcher on Wikipedia-based education. He has also served on the Wikimedia Foundation’s North America regional grants committee for the past three years.

Nur Fahmia

-Javanese and Indonesian Wikimedian.

Username: Kunirasem

Mykola Kozlenko

Administrator and checkuser of Ukrainian Wikipedia (User:NickK)

Vice-Chair of Board of Wikimedia Ukraine

Member of the Regional Funds Committee for Northern and Western Europe (NWE)

Member of Wiki Loves Earth international organising team

Farah Jack Mustaklem

A passionate Wikimedian and free knowledge advocate. I started out by editing the Arabic and English Wikipedias in 2005. In 2014, I became one of the founders of the Wikimedians of the Levant User Group, and I continue to be in its board. I was also involved in establishing the Arabic Wikimedians User Group. I am also a member of Wikimedia UK. In the global movement, I have served on the Affiliations Committee which works closely with and advises the Board of Trustees to approve and support Wikimedia affiliates. I was on the Wikimedia Strategy Steering Committee. I currently serve on the Regional Grants Committee for Africa and the Middle East, one of the first committees in the Movement to become decentralized.

Veronica Thamaini (WMF)