Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Conference Fund/Bangla WikiConference 2024

statusFunded
Bangla WikiConference 2024
proposed start date2024-07-01T00:00:00Z
proposed end date2024-11-30T00:00:00Z
budget (local currency)2569985 BDT
amount requested (USD)24183.56 USD [note 1]
amount recommended (local)2569985 BDT
decision fiscal year2023-24
applicant• RockyMasum
organization (if applicable)• Wikimedia Bangladesh
Review Final Report

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Applicant details edit

A. Are you applying as a(n)

Wikimedia Affiliate (chapter, thematic org., or user group)

B. Full name of organization presenting the proposal.

Wikimedia Bangladesh

F. Do you have an account on a Wikimedia project?

Yes

F1. Please provide your main Wikimedia Username.

RockyMasum

F2. Please provide the Usernames of people related to this proposal.
  • Shabab Mustafa - User:Tarunno
G. Are you legally registered?

No

If you are applying as an individual or your group is not a legally registered nonprofit in your country, we require that you have a fiscal sponsor.

I. Fiscal organization name.

Kiwix

Objectives and Strategy edit

1. Please state the title of your proposal.

Bangla WikiConference 2024

2.1. When will the event begin? Please enter the event start date.

2024-10-18

2.2. When is the last day of your event?

2024-10-20

3.1. When will you begin preparing for your event?

2024-07-01T00:00:00Z

3.2. When will you expect to complete your last event payment?

2024-11-30T00:00:00Z

4. In which country will the conference take place?

Bangladesh

4.1. In which city will the conference take place?


5. Is it a remote or in-person event?

In-person event

5.1. What will be the total number of participants at the event? (including scholarship recipients + organizing team + other guests + self funded guests) (required)

60

6. Please indicate whether your work will be focused on one country (local), more than one or several countries in your region (regional) or has a cross-regional (global) scope.

Regional

6.1. If you have answered regional, please write the country names and any other information that is useful for understanding your proposal.

The conference will specifically center on the Bangla Wiki Community, with a significant concentration of contributors from Bangladesh and West Bengal, India. To facilitate broader participation, we plan to allocate approximately 10 scholarships for international attendees from India and 40 scholarships for participants from Bangladesh.The conference will focus on the Bangla Wiki Community and most of the contributors of Bangla Language related projects live in Bangladesh and West Bengal of India. So we will provide around 10 scholarships for the international participants from India and 40 scholarships for the Bangladeshi participants.

7. If you would like, please share any websites or social media accounts that your group or organization has.

Website: https://bd.wikimedia.org, https://wikimedia.org.bd Facebook & Instagram: WikimediaBD X: @WikimediaBD

8. Do you work with any thematic or regional platforms such as WISCom, CEE, Iberocoop, etc.

Yes

8.1. Please describe what platforms and your work with them.

I am actively engaged with Bangla WikiMoitree, the thematic hub representing the Bengali-speaking Wikimedia community. Currently, I am taking the lead in coordinating their inaugural project, 'Wiki Loves Bangla,' an annual photo contest.

9. Please describe the target participants for this event.

Our event targets experienced Wikimedians who have been actively contributing for more than a year.

10. Please provide the link to the event's page if you already have one.


The following questions (11-14) will refer to the Community Engagement Survey which is required in order to submit a proposal. Here is the survey form that you can copy and use (if the link does not work): https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ieEI8EFf2vxjD9wN_h8-srYeRCp4fhSp7_1_wiR2jh8/edit. This survey is required to access a Conference grant.

11. How many people did you send the community engagement survey to?

200

11.1. When did you conduct the survey, and for how long?

We conducted a month-long survey in July 2023.

12. How many people responded to the survey?

53

13. What are the main objectives of the event?

The main objectives of the event include fostering collaboration, enhancing skill development, facilitating policy discussions, showcasing community initiatives, celebrating the contributions of top Wikimedians, building a strong network within the community, and implementing the movement strategy within the regional context.

14. Based on survey responses, what are the most important things your community should do at the conference to achieve these objectives?

Based on survey responses, our community's conference priorities are centered on skill development and networking. Commencing with skill development workshops and networking sessions will empower participants with tools, knowledge, and connections, fostering collaboration and strengthening community bonds. Subsequently, future planning sessions will allow collaborative charting of initiatives, aligning with community needs. Dedicated policy discussions offer a platform for refining Wikimedia project policies. Recognizing contributors through an award program cultivates a culture of appreciation and motivation. Panel discussions facilitate insightful conversations, while a hackathon encourages collaborative coding for practical solutions. Group discussions deepen networking and knowledge exchange, fostering unity. By strategically incorporating these activities, our conference aims to create a dynamic, inclusive environment, aligning with community aspirations.

15. Please state if your proposal aims to work to bridge any of the identified CONTENT knowledge gaps (Knowledge Inequity)? Select up to THREE that most apply to your work.

Language, Important Topics (topics considered to be of impact or important in the specific context)

15.1. In a few sentences, explain how your work is specifically addressing this content gap (or Knowledge inequity) to ensure a greater representation of knowledge. (optional recommended).


16. Please state if your proposal includes any of these areas or THEMATIC focus. Select up to THREE that most apply to your work and explain the rationale for identifying these themes.

Education, Advocacy, Culture, heritage or GLAM

17. Will your work focus on involving participants from any underrepresented communities?

Not applicable

18. Do you intend to invite or engage with non-Wikimedian individuals or organizations? If so – can you explain your intention for this outreach?

No

19. What will you do to make sure participants continue to engage in your activities after the event?

After the event, we'll keep participants engaged by organizing activities like Editathons and Photowalks. These events give people a chance to use the skills they learned and stay involved. We'll also set up follow-up online meetups where participants can share updates, learn more, and stay connected. This way, we aim to make sure everyone continues to be a part of our community and keeps contributing even after the conference is over.

20. In what ways do you think your proposal most contributes to the Movement Strategy 2030 recommendations. Select a maximum of THREE options that most apply.

Increase the Sustainability of Our Movement, Ensure Equity in Decision-making, Invest in Skills and Leadership Development

Logistical Aspects edit

21. Do you have any proposed venue for the event?

We haven't finalized a venue yet. Our plan is to choose a location within 50 km of a transportation hub to make it convenient for participants. We're considering logistics and potential challenges as we explore options.

22. Is the event venue and hotel accessible for people with physical disabilities?

Yes

23. How many scholarships would you like to offer?

We plan to provide a total of 50 scholarships for participants, with 10 allocated for international attendees from India and 40 for local participants.

24. What expenses will the scholarship cover?

The scholarship will cover travel-related expenses, including accommodation, transportation, food, and visa fees if required.

25. How will scholarship recipients be selected?

Scholarship recipients will be selected based on their active participation and contributions to Bangla Wiki projects over the past year. We prioritize individuals who have demonstrated consistent involvement and dedication to the Wikimedia community. This selection criterion ensures that the scholarships benefit those who have already made significant contributions and are likely to continue contributing positively to the community.

26. In which ways can Wikimedia Foundation staff support your event onsite?

We would appreciate onsite support from Wikimedia Foundation staff, especially to help maintain Trust and Safety during the conference. Having a local Wikimedia Foundation staff member in our country would be really helpful for us to address any concerns related to trust and safety during the event. Their presence would ensure that everyone feels safe and welcome.

26.2. Do you intend to invite any WMF staff members to your event? (please note that all WMF staff travel and accommodation costs will be covered by the foundation). Please indicate what is the limit number of WMF staff members you would like to welcome at your event.

We do not plan to invite any WMF staff members to our event.

27. Please outline the roles and responsibilities of the organizing team for the conference.

General Coordination + Liaison to WMF:

  • Core team overseeing overall organization.
  • Acts as a liaison with the Wikimedia Foundation.

Logistic and Local Coordination:

  • Manages logistical aspects: accommodation, transportation, reception, layout, rooms, technical services, catering, etc.

Conference Program:

  • Ensures quality and credibility of conferences and presentations.

Scholarships:

  • Evaluates applications and manages the scholarship program.

Communications:

  • Directs activities related to event promotion and communications.

Volunteer Coordination:

  • Manages volunteer recruitment, well-being, and satisfaction.

Safe Space Committee:

  • Ensures a safe and inclusive environment for all participants.
28. Do you have plans to co-organize the event with other Wikimedia communities, groups or affiliates?

No

28.1. If yes, can you please explain how you are going to co-organize the event and what responsibilities each partner will have.


29. What kind of risks do you anticipate and how would you mitigate these?
  • Challenges in measuring conference effectiveness require early development of robust metrics and ongoing refinement.
  • Clear action plan needed to balance current duties with added conference responsibilities, ensuring efficient resource allocation.
  • Potential currency depreciation may raise costs, necessitating close monitoring and collaboration with Wikimedia Foundation.
30. Friendly space policy - Please add the link to the friendly space policy that your community will be using for this event.

https://bd.wikimedia.org/s/2ku

Learning, Sharing, and Evaluation edit

31. What do you hope to learn from your work organising this conference?

Through organizing this conference, our key learning objectives include:

  • Gaining insights into effectively encouraging community members to showcase their work to a wider audience and fostering public speaking skills within the community.
  • Learning strategies for involving partners in our events, recognizing their valuable input in developing our community and projects.
  • Developing a comprehensive strategy for obtaining feedback from communities and establishing effective support mechanisms for sustained community growth after the conference.
  • Understanding the nuances of successfully managing a national event and exploring the potential for organizing similar events at the regional level.
32. Main open metrics
Main Open Metrics Data
Main Open Metrics Description Target
Number of local attendees Local participants from Bangladesh 50
Number of international attendees International participants from India 10
Number of Submissions Submissions for the program from the community. 15
Feedback from participants Feedback from attendees to analyze our event and prepare a comprehensive report. 20
Community Initiative Initiative from the community for the upcoming year 5

Financial Proposal edit

33. What is the amount you are requesting from Wikimedia Foundation? Please provide this amount in your local currency.

2569985

34. Select your local currency.

BDT

Requested amount in USD
24183.56 USD [note 1]
  1. a b The following amount in US dollars was calculated by Wikimedia Foundation staff using the fixed currency rates. This amount is approximate and may not reflect the actual currency exchange rates on the day of submission or distribution. If the application is funded, the funding will be sent in the recipient’s local currency.
35. Please upload your budget for this proposal or indicate the link to it.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/17D4ZRRa7vFWMxZNFW_Mgwz0Kz2WewljI

36. Do you expect to receive funding for this conference from other organizations to support your work?

No

36.1. If yes, what kind of resources are you expecting to get?


We/I have read the Application Privacy Statement, WMF Friendly Space Policy and Universal Code of Conduct.

Yes

Please use this optional space to upload any documents that you feel are important for further understanding your proposal.
Other public document(s):

Endorsements and Feedback edit

Please add endorsements and feedback to the grant discussion page only. Endorsements added here will be removed automatically.

Community members are invited to share meaningful feedback on the proposal and include reasons why they endorse the proposal. Consider the following:

  • Stating why the proposal is important for the communities involved and why they think the strategies chosen will achieve the results that are expected.
  • Highlighting any aspects they think are particularly well developed: for instance, the strategies and activities proposed, the levels of community engagement, outreach to underrepresented groups, addressing knowledge gaps, partnerships, the overall budget and learning and evaluation section of the proposal, etc.
  • Highlighting if the proposal focuses on any interesting research, learning or innovation, etc. Also if it builds on learning from past proposals developed by the individual or organization, or other Wikimedia communities.
  • Analyzing if the proposal is going to contribute in any way to important developments around specific Wikimedia projects or Movement Strategy.
  • Analysing if the proposal is coherent in terms of the objectives, strategies, budget, and expected results (metrics).

Endorse