Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Conference Fund/WikiArabia 2024 Sultanate of Oman

statusApproved

Conference and Event Fund

WikiArabia 2024 Sultanate of Oman

proposed start date2024-05-07T00:00:00Z

proposed end date2024-11-30T00:00:00Z

budget (local currency)72066.4 OMR

amount requested (USD)186665 USD

amount recommended (local)72066.4 OMR

decision fiscal year2023-24

applicant• Reda Kerbouche

organization (if applicable)• Wikimedians of United Arab Emirates User Group

Friendly Space Policy

Universal Code of Conduct

Application Privacy Statement

This is an automatically generated Meta-Wiki page. The page was copied from Fluxx, the grantmaking web service of Wikimedia Foundation where the user has submitted their application. Please do not make any changes to this page because all changes will be removed after the next update. Use the discussion page for your feedback. The page was created by CR-FluxxBot.

Applicant details

A. Are you applying as a(n)

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

B. Full name of organization presenting the proposal.

Wikimedians of United Arab Emirates User Group

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

Yes

F1. Please provide your main Wikimedia Username.

Reda Kerbouche

F2. Please provide the Usernames of people related to this proposal.

User:Reda Kerbouche User:Serine Ben Brahim User:Duaa Khidir

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.

Emirates Literature Foundation

Objectives and Strategy

1. Please state the title of your proposal.

WikiArabia 2024 Sultanate of Oman

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

2024-10-25

2.2. When is the last day of your event?

2024-10-27

3.1. When will you begin preparing for your event?

2024-05-07T00:00:00Z

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?

Oman

4.1. In which city will the conference take place?

Muscat

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)

160

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.

all Arabic-speaking countries, including their diasporas worldwide

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

https://www.instagram.com/wikimedians_uae/

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

No

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

9. Please describe the target participants for this event.

For the WikiArabia 2024 conference, we welcome participants with varying levels of experience in the Wikimedia movement. While we encourage those with some familiarity with Wikimedia projects to engage fully in the event activities, there is no strict minimum level of Wikimedia experience required. We value diversity and believe that newcomers to the movement can bring fresh perspectives and ideas.

Additionally, we are open to participation from external partners who can offer unique insights and skills that complement our community’s efforts. We also encourage community members who are specifically involved in individual Wikimedia projects to participate, as their specialized knowledge can greatly enhance the discussions and activities of the conference.

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?

40

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

During a call with Mariana Iskander more then 30 participant, after we have posted in the pomp village: https://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/ويكيبيديا:الميدان/منوعات#ويكي_عربية_2024

12. How many people responded to the survey?

30

13. What are the main objectives of the event?

The main objectives of the event are:

1. Facilitating knowledge sharing and collaboration within the Wikimedia community. 2. Providing a platform for participants to discuss and address challenges and opportunities facing the Arabic Wikimedia projects. 3. Enhancing skills and capacities of participants through workshops, presentations, and networking opportunities. 4. Encouraging participation from diverse backgrounds to promote inclusivity and diversity within the Wikimedia movement. 5. Fostering partnerships and collaborations with external organizations to support the growth and sustainability of Wikimedia projects in the Arabic-speaking region. 6. Celebrating achievements and milestones within the Arabic Wikimedia community while setting goals for future development and expansion. 7. Encouraging the formation of a dedicated Omani user group and fostering a more active Wikimedian community in Oman.

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, the most important things our community should do at the conference to achieve these objectives include:

1. Hosting interactive workshops and sessions focused on skill-building and knowledge sharing to empower participants with practical tools and strategies. 2. Setting up a Steering committee for the conference. 3. Ensuring inclusivity by creating a welcoming environment that encourages participation from diverse backgrounds and experiences. 4. Incorporating feedback from the community to tailor the conference agenda and activities to meet the needs and interests of participants. 5. Providing opportunities for collaborative projects and partnerships with external organizations to leverage resources and expertise for the benefit of Wikimedia projects in the Arabic-speaking region.

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.

Content Gender gap, Age (regency) , Geography, Language, Socioeconomic Status, Important Topics (topics considered to be of impact or important in the specific context), Cultural background, ethnicity, religion, racial

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, Public Policy, Culture, heritage or GLAM , Open Technology, Diversity, Climate Change and sustainability

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

Geographic , Ethnic/racial/religious or cultural background, Disabilities, Linguistic / Language, Socioeconomic status, Age, Digital Access

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

Yes, we do intend to invite and engage with non-Wikimedian individuals and organizations for several reasons:

1. Diverse Perspectives: Non-Wikimedian individuals and organizations bring diverse perspectives, skills, and experiences that can enrich discussions and collaborations within the Wikimedia community. 2. Partnerships: Collaborating with external organizations allows us to leverage resources, expertise, and networks to support the growth and sustainability of Wikimedia projects in the Arabic-speaking region. 3. Outreach: Engaging with non-Wikimedian individuals and organizations can help us reach new audiences and communities who may not be familiar with Wikimedia projects but could benefit from participating or contributing. 4. Impact: By involving stakeholders outside of the Wikimedia community, we can amplify the impact of our efforts and initiatives, leading to greater visibility, relevance, and support for free knowledge and open access initiatives.

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

1. Follow-Up Communications: We will send follow-up communications to all participants, thanking them for their attendance and summarizing key takeaways from the event. These communications will also include links to resources, presentations, and recordings from workshops and sessions to encourage further learning and exploration.

2. Online Community Platforms: We will leverage online community platforms, such as Wikimedia mailing lists, village pumps, and social media groups, to facilitate ongoing discussions, collaboration, and knowledge sharing among participants.

3. Feedback and Surveys: We will solicit feedback from participants about their experience at the event and their preferences for future activities. This feedback will help us tailor our efforts to meet the needs and interests of our community, increasing the likelihood of continued engagement.

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, Coordinate Across Stakeholders, Invest in Skills and Leadership Development

Logistical Aspects

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

We received many hotel proposals, plus one venue in a fort in Muscat, but we decided on the Radisson Hotel. It is the only one that has all the accommodations we want and trustworthy meeting rooms. Additionally, This hotel is conveniently located just 12 minutes from the airport and comfortably accommodate our conference.

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 offer 80 scholarships for Arabic language contributors, generally those living in the MENA region and the diaspora.

24. What expenses will the scholarship cover?

the scholarships will cover accommodation, visa, travel tickets, meals and social events.

25. How will scholarship recipients be selected?

The individuals who receive the scholarships will be selected by a dedicated committee. However, to be considered, contributors must submit an application indicating their interest in the event and, if necessary, provide a presentation proposal.

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

Travel Team: Secure travel tickets Book hotel accommodations

Communication & Speakers: Coordinate communication with WMF speakers Facilitate travel arrangements for WMF speakers

Affcom representative: For establishing a new user group in Oman we would need a representative.

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 can have 5-6 or more

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

- Reda Kerbouche, WMF and community liaison, rooming, assisting the conference committee, writing the final reports, creating the page of the event on meta, accommodation management, Contingency Planning, budget coordination.

• Serine Ben Brahim, Oman volunteers liaison, setting up stockholders meetings during the conference, assisting the conference committee, venue management, budget coordination, social event support.

• Duaa Khidir, Communication, Oman volunteers liaison, assisting the conference committee, media relations, speaker communication, Manage on-site communication channels, venue management, visa support.

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?

Ensuring Timely Visa Procurement for All Travelers Maintaining Clear Communication Channels with All Travelers

30. Friendly space policy - Please add the link to the friendly space policy that your community will be using for this event.

https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/WikiArabia_2022/Friendly_Space_Policy

Learning, Sharing, and Evaluation

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

Identifying areas for improvement Building stronger relationships with the community Enhanced understanding of what we need to improve in Arabic Wikimedia projects to have a meaningful impact

32. Main open metrics

Main Open Metrics Data

Main Open Metrics	Description	Target
participants	number of total participants of the conference including Scholars and local participants and self funded participants	160
Creation of a User group	By the end of the conference we will send an application for establishing the Omani User Group to the AffCom.	1
Sessions	the total number of sessions and workshops during the conference in Oman	40
Female representation	increasing female representation during the event. Calculated by %	40
Participant Learning Outcomes	This metric will assess if the conference achieved the learning outcomes anticipated for participants (50% from the participant.	50

Financial Proposal

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

72066.4

34. Select your local currency.

OMR

Requested amount in USD

186665 USD

35. Please upload your budget for this proposal or indicate the link to it.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZovLRzfE_d7OW3EFQqbeSZsp5MeuLdTq/edit#gid=1392255031

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

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