Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Developing Free Knowledge in Georgia, 2023/Final Report

Final Learning Report

Report Status: Under review

Due date: 2024-01-30T00:00:00Z

Funding program: Wikimedia Community Fund

Report type: Final

Application Midpoint Learning Report

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General information edit

This form is for organizations, groups, or individuals receiving Wikimedia Community Funds or Wikimedia Alliances Funds to report on their final results.

  • Name of Organization: Wikimedia Community User Group Georgia
  • Title of Proposal: Developing Free Knowledge in Georgia, 2023
  • Amount awarded: 47731 USD, 131260.25 GEL
  • Amount spent: 47730.28 USD

Part 1 Understanding your work edit

1. Briefly describe how your proposed activities and strategies were implemented.

2023 has become one of the most successful and eventful years for Wikimedia UG Georgia. The Affiliation has carried out successful projects and events this year and has established new partnerships with various affiliations within the Wikimedia Movement and with external partners.

The Affiliation continues to work to fill gaps in knowledge and content of Wikimedia projects in the Georgian language. For this purpose, various online contests were held, as well as a series of edit-a-thons and trainings for Wikimedia enthusiasts and volunteers to improve their skills in working on Wikimedia projects, as well as in working with sources. For this purpose, new WikiClubs were also created, and WikiCamps were held.

The Affiliation is also working on new Wikimedia projects in the Georgian language, which are located in the incubator space, for example - Wikisource. Our volunteers, with the help and training from mentors, develop and supplement the project with new content. We also continue to supplement and develop existing projects such as Wikidata and Wikiquote.

We also continue to support communities with various projects and events. In 2023, we held two WikiCamps, from which one was held for the first time for teachers and in this way, we involved teachers who are directly connected with pupils and students in the learning process of Wikimedia projects. Support for student involvement in Wikimedia projects is maximized in this way. In addition, two new WikiClubs were opened in different parts of Georgia, one of which opened in the capital of Georgia - Tbilisi. Thus, the availability of Wikimedia project training for individuals throughout Georgia has increased. We also continue to host training events for all interested parties throughout the year.

In 2023, for the first time in the history of the Wikimedia movement in Georgia, we held the regional conference Wikimedia CEE Meeting. The entire Wikimedia community in Georgia, and especially young members of our affiliation and volunteers, were involved in organizing the conference and its implementation. This event provided a good platform where local Wikimedia project volunteers had a chance to interact and share experiences and knowledge with others from other Wikimedia communities. These kinds of events encourage the local community to develop and become more active.

In 2023, Wikimedia UG Georgia was able to establish new partnerships and develop a network of partners. The Affiliation has established cooperation with the National Parliamentary Library of Georgia, which has important resources that, together with the cooperation, we will integrate into Wikimedia projects. Also, the affiliation actively cooperates with Wikimedia affiliations, in cooperation with which it will implement joint projects.

Also, the Affiliation continues to develop organizationally. In 2023, we submitted an official application for recognition as a chapter. Prior to this, AffCom had already reviewed and confirmed the new charter of the organization, which by the end of 2023 was registered in the Ministry of Justice of Georgia and confirmed by the latter. Towards the end of the year, the General Forum of the organization took place, with the participation of all members of the affiliation. The General Forum elected a new board of trustees. We expect that by the end of next year, the affiliate will receive chapter status.

2. Were there any strategies or approaches that you felt were effective in achieving your goals?

This year, Wikimedia Georgia paid special attention to youth. The Affiliation attracted and contributed to the introduction of youth ideas into its work, which enabled the activation of youth in the organization's projects and programs. Young people were especially active in organizing and holding the Wikimedia CEE Meeting in Tbilisi. Also, the youth of the Georgian Wikimedia community actively took part in other international Wikimedia programs and events. Thus, our youth delegates took part in the Turkic Wikimedia Conference in Istanbul and also became part of the CEE Hub youth group. All this was facilitated by the organization’s active support for youth.

We actively began to cooperate with our partners. This led to us being able to expand our network of partnerships, establish cooperation with the National Library, and provide them with training on Wikimedia projects. Also, by collaborating with government institutions, we were able to achieve progress in relation to advocacy.

Finally, Wikimedia Georgia was able to change its charter, in coordination with AfFCom, and become a more democratic and welcoming environment for everyone. The organization actively meets with community members and involves them in its work. With this, at the end of 2023, we held a General Forum and elected a new Board of Trustees. This is especially important since the majority of the members of the new Board of Trustees are young people (3/5), which is how the organization contributes to the realization of youth and also attracts new thinking into its environment. At the moment, the organization is waiting to receive chapter status, which will complete an important stage in the development of the organization.

3. Would you say that your project had any innovations? Are there things that you did very differently than you have seen them done by others?

1. Active collaboration with various partners has enabled us to develop our projects and programs and host successful local and international events. Development and close cooperation with existing partners is a very important point in affiliation work.

2. Involving youth in the work of the affiliation, as well as facilitating them in the path of community development, has especially improved the productivity and sustainability of the organization's development. Youth gave a new impetus to the development of the organization and the Wikimedia Movement as a whole. Therefore, the Affiliation decided to entrust the leadership role to youth as well, and that is why we have a majority of youth on our Board of Trustees.
3. We have continued our policy of investing more resources in developing the skills and capabilities of Wikimedia volunteers. In this way, affiliation contributes to the development and empowerment of editors and local members of the Wikimedia community. This method gives us an advantage in maintaining the sustainability of project development.
4. Affiliation promotes maximum involvement of the local community in global processes. In this way, we provide more information to the community about global initiatives and projects while facilitating and assisting their participation in them. Our community has become more aware and involved in these projects. Thus, more people from the local community began participating in various events, regional conferences, and CEE Hub initiatives.

4. Please describe how different communities participated and/or were informed about your work.

The local community receives all information about the work of the affiliation through social networks and by participating in events and meetings of the affiliation. The organization holds various community meetings throughout the year.

The local community also receives maximum information about our work through our website (ge.wikimedia.org), where we publish monthly reports of our work (for 2023: https://ge.wikimedia.org/wiki/მოხსენებები/ვმ_საქართველო/2023).

In addition, we also update the Global Community about our work. This happens through the news on our social networks, and representatives of our Group participate in various regional and international Wikimedia events (Wikimedia CEE Meeting, Wikimedia Summit, Wikimania, Wikimedia Europe General Assembly, Turkic Wikimedia Conference, and online meetings), where they represent the work of the local movement.

5. Documentation of your impact. Please use the two spaces below to share files and links that help tell your story and impact. This can be documentation that shows your results through testimonies, videos, sound files, images (photos and infographics, etc.) social media posts, dashboards, etc.

  • Upload Documents and Files
  • Here is an additional field to type in URLs.
1. Commons category for all Wikimedia Georgia events in 2023: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Wikimedia_Community_User_Group_Georgia_events_in_2023
2. Georgian National Broadcaster about Wikimedia CEE Meeting: https://1tv.ge/news/tinatin-berdzenishvili-centraluri-da-aghmosavlet-evropis-vikimedielta-forumze-sityvit-gamovida/
3. WikiCamps in Georgia: https://diff.wikimedia.org/2024/01/17/wikicamps-in-georgia-more-new-volunteer-editors-on-wikipedia/
4. 20 years of Georgian Wikipedia: https://diff.wikimedia.org/2024/01/21/celebrating-20-years-of-georgian-wikipedia/

6. To what extent do you agree with the following statements regarding the work carried out with the support of this Fund? You can choose “not applicable” if your work does not relate to these goals.

Our efforts during the Fund period have helped to...
A. Bring in participants from underrepresented groups Agree
B. Create a more inclusive and connected culture in our community Agree
C. Develop content about underrepresented topics/groups Strongly agree
D. Develop content from underrepresented perspectives Agree
E. Encourage the retention of editors Agree
F. Encourage the retention of organizers Strongly agree
G. Increased participants' feelings of belonging and connection to the movement. Strongly agree

7. Is there anything else you would like to share about how your efforts helped to bring in participants and/or build out content, particularly for underrepresented groups?

Wikimedia Georgia actively involves different groups in its projects. Thus, with the help of WikiClubs, we are actively involving ethnic minorities of Georgia in our projects and programs to develop Wikimedia projects. Thus, with our help, they themselves develop content on Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects.

Also, Wikimedia Georgia actively hosts a contest (Women in Wikipedia) and an event (WikiGap) each year to eliminate the gender gap in Wikipedia content in the Georgian language. With the help of our projects, we have reduced the gender gap in the content of our projects.

Part 2: Your main learning edit

8. In your application, you outlined your learning priorities. What did you learn about these areas during this period?

1. This year, we have reduced the number of contests and increased the number of training and in-person meetings. With this, we changed our strategy and placed an emphasis on developing the skills of editors and volunteers of Wikimedia projects. We achieved success in this regard because by developing the skills and knowledge of volunteers, they became more actively involved in the online work of Wikimedia projects and more actively participated in affiliation projects.

2. By developing relationships with existing partners, we have also added new collaborations to our network of partnerships, and this year, we were able to establish new partnerships with government and non-government institutions. Among our partners, we now have the National Library of Georgia.
3. With the help of our projects, we actively involve different groups in the work of our affiliation and in Wikimedia projects. Thus, with the help of WikiClubs, we involve representatives of ethnic minorities of Georgia in our projects, and also, through various local and regional meetings, we involve more women in our projects and in Wikimedia projects.
4. We involve our community more in global processes and also involve young people in our affiliation work. By this we have achieved that young people have become more active at the local and global level and are actively working with their partners from different affiliations.

9. Did anything unexpected or surprising happen when implementing your activities?

The main event of the year can be called the beginning of cooperation with the National Library of Georgia, which contacted us and wished to cooperate with us. We offered them a training course on various Wikimedia projects and also invited two library employees to our winter WikiCamp, where we trained them to work on Wikimedia projects. We can specifically say that this gave us the opportunity to enrich our projects with library resources. Library staff are currently actively working on Wikimedia projects in the Georgian language.

The second important event is that our WikiClubs began cooperating with WikiClubs in Turkey, where they will exchange their knowledge and skills. They will also work together on common projects to enrich Wikimedia projects.

10. How do you hope to use this learning? For instance, do you have any new priorities, ideas for activities, or goals for the future?

We have already developed, based on these learnings, our strategic plan for 2024-2026; if necessary, and with subsequent learnings, we will make changes to the strategic plan. By doing this, we will meet our natural requirements based on these conclusions.

Every year, we develop an annual action plan and will make changes to this plan based on these findings and needs.

Also, based on these learnings and in consultation with the community, as well as with their involvement, we will develop new projects and programs.

11. If you were sitting with a friend to tell them one thing about your work during this fund, what would it be (think of inspiring or fascinating moments, tough challenges, interesting anecdotes, or anything that feels important to you)?

"We are a small community but very active and young, and our goal is to spread the free knowledge that we create and systematize."

12. Please share resources that would be useful to share with other Wikimedia organizations so that they can learn from, adapt or build upon your work. For instance, guides, training material, presentations, work processes, or any other material the team has created to document and transfer knowledge about your work and can be useful for others. Please share any specific resources that you are creating, adapting/contextualizing in ways that are unique to your context (i.e. training material).

  • Upload Documents and Files
  • Here is an additional field to type in URLs.
N/A

Part 3: Metrics edit

13a. Open and additional metrics data

Open Metrics
Open Metrics Description Target Results Comments Methodology
Open new WikiClubs We want to develop a network of WikiClubs in different regions of Georgia and plan to open new clubs. 2 2 This year two new clubs were opened: Samtredia - in the Imereti region of Georgia, and the Tbilisi WikiClub in the capital of Georgia. WMGE internal data.
Increase the number of contributors We want to increase the number of active contributors to Wikimedia projects in Georgia. 30 34 New contributors who joined after trainings, WikiCamps, as well as as part of new WikiClubs to the Wikimedia project WMGE internal data.
New partnerships We want to develop a network of our partners and make an alliance with new organizations. 3 4 In 2023, new cooperation was established with the National Parliamentary Library of Georgia, with educational institutions, as well as with Wikimedia Affiliations (WMSE, WMPL, WMUA), with which common projects are planned. WMGE internal data
Trainings, meetings and other events We want to increase the number of trainings to improve the skills of contributors, as well as social meetings with the community and not only. 20 34 This year, WMGE conducted a series of trainings at WikiClubs and for interested parties. In-person and online meetings were held with community members as well as in educational institutions. A regional Wikimedia CEE Meeting was also held in Georgia, organized by our affiliation. WMGE internal data
WikiCamps We want to increase the number of camps and bring them up to 2. 2 2 Two WikiCamps were held, in March 2023 for the first time for teachers and in June 2023 for young people. WMGE internal data
Additional Metrics
Additional Metrics Description Target Results Comments Methodology
Number of editors that continue to participate/retained after activities Participants who will continue to participate in WMGE projects. 60 78 Most WMGE project participants continued participating online and offline in Wikimedia projects and events. WMGE internal data
Number of organizers that continue to participate/retained after activities UG members who will continue to participate in WMGE projects. 12 14 We have increased the number of volunteer organizers of WMGE projects and events. WMGE internal data
Number of strategic partnerships that contribute to longer term growth, diversity and sustainability New and existing partners. 10 12 This year, we have increased the number of strategic partners; among our new partners, we have the National Library, with joint projects planned. WMGE internal data
Feedback from participants on effective strategies for attracting and retaining contributors We will collect feedback from partners. 5 3 We continue to improve our feedback channels and work with the community. WMGE internal data
Diversity of participants brought in by grantees Diversity will be ensured in the community and in Wikimedia UG Georgia projects. 100 117 The number of participants in WMGE projects and events who come from different backgrounds. These individuals include women, religious and ethnic minorities, etc. WMGE internal data
Number of people reached through social media publications The total number of people who will see our publications in social networks. 7000 91000 Facebook (Facebook reach for WMGE page 25.8K; Facebook reach for Georgian Wikipedia page 66K; Instagram reach 1K) Facebook and Instagram
Number of activities developed Total number of projects (Trainings, lectures, sessions, edit-a-thons, contests, meetings). 25 40 This includes all events and projects conducted or facilitated by Wikimedia Georgia, including participation in regional and international events by the organization. WMGE internal data
Number of volunteer hours We will take into account the hours of volunteering. 200 320 This includes volunteer hours of all members and volunteers of the organization spent during WMGE projects and events, including during the WMCEE23 Meeting in Tbilisi. WMGE internal data

13b. Additional core metrics data.

Core Metrics Summary
Core metrics Description Target Results Comments Methodology
Number of participants The number of participants who will take part in all Wikimedia Georgia projects and programs. At least 40 participants were newbies. 160 162 We have achieved our goal. This year, many volunteers and individuals participated in our projects and events. WMGE internal data
Number of editors Number of editors who will participate in all Wikimedia UG Georgia projects. At least 30 will be newbies. 90 85 We have partially achieved our goal. Namely, the number of new people joining Wikimedia projects during our projects was 42. We will continue to improve our indicators in the future. WMGE internal data
Number of organizers Number of Organization Members who will oversee the implementation of Wikimedia Georgia projects and programs. 12 12 All organizers are active and continue their work. We are confident that this number will increase in the future. WMGE internal data
Number of new content contributions per Wikimedia project
Wikimedia Project Description Target Results Comments Methodology
Wikipedia New or improved articles 1500 1866 The total number of articles written during contests and by the WikiClub members. WMGE internal data and Fountain tool.
Wikimedia Commons New images 600 3306 The total number of photos uploaded during Wikimedia Georgia events and projects, including the Wiki Loves Monuments contest. WMGE internal data and Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Wikimedia_Community_User_Group_Georgia_events_in_2023)
Wikidata New or improved elements 3000 5200 The total number of items created and improved during Georgian Wikimedia projects. WMGE internal data
Wikisource At the moment, this project is in the incubator and our goal is to get it out of there. 1000 450 We continue to increase content in the Wikisource. Due to the newness of the project, volunteers don't immediately get the project; we continue to provide technical skills to volunteers. WMGE internal data
Wikiquote We want to develop the Wikiquote and increase the content in it. 100 67 We continue to increase content in the Wikiquote. WMGE internal data

14. Were there any metrics in your proposal that you could not collect or that you had to change?

No

15. If you have any difficulties collecting data to measure your results, please describe and add any recommendations on how to address them in the future.

All metrics, including internal ones, are sufficient to collect the necessary numbers and data.

16. Use this space to link or upload any additional documents that would be useful to understand your data collection (e.g., dashboards, surveys you have carried out, communications material, training material, etc).

  • Upload Documents and Files
  • Here is an additional field to type in URLs.
N/A

Part 4: Organizational capacities & partnerships edit

17. Organizational Capacity

Organizational capacity dimension
A. Financial capacity and management This capacity has grown but it should be further developed
B. Conflict management or transformation This has grown over the last year, the capacity is high
C. Leadership (i.e growing in potential leaders, leadership that fit organizational needs and values) This has grown over the last year, the capacity is high
D. Partnership building This has grown over the last year, the capacity is high
E. Strategic planning This has grown over the last year, the capacity is high
F. Program design, implementation, and management This capacity has grown but it should be further developed
G. Scoping and testing new approaches, innovation This capacity has grown but it should be further developed
H. Recruiting new contributors (volunteer) This capacity has grown but it should be further developed
I. Support and growth path for different types of contributors (volunteers) This has grown over the last year, the capacity is high
J. Governance This has grown over the last year, the capacity is high
K. Communications, marketing, and social media This has grown over the last year, the capacity is high
L. Staffing - hiring, monitoring, supporting in the areas needed for program implementation and sustainability This has grown over the last year, the capacity is high
M. On-wiki technical skills This has grown over the last year, the capacity is high
N. Accessing and using data This has grown over the last year, the capacity is high
O. Evaluating and learning from our work This capacity has grown but it should be further developed
P. Communicating and sharing what we learn with our peers and other stakeholders This capacity has grown but it should be further developed
N/A
N/A

17a. Which of the following factors most helped you to build capacities? Please pick a MAXIMUM of the three most relevant factors.

Formal training provided by a Wikimedia Movement organizing group (i.e., Affiliates, Grantees, Regional or Thematic Hub, etc.), Formal training provided from outside the Wikimedia Movement, Peer to peer learning with other community members in conferences/events

17b. Which of the following factors hindered your ability to build capacities? Please pick a MAXIMUM of the three most relevant factors.

Lack of knowledge of available capacity building opportunities, Lack of volunteer time to participate in capacity building/training, Barriers to access training because of language

18. Is there anything else you would like to share about how your organizational capacity has grown, and areas where you require support?

Our community developed and adopted new bylaws for our affiliation, which made us more open to all interested people who want to join us. Young members of our organization began to become more actively involved in the work of the affiliation. We are also expecting to receive chapter status soon.

Check out our application for chapter status: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Community_User_Group_Georgia/Chapter_Application

And also our new charter of affiliation: https://ge.wikimedia.org/wiki/წესდება/en

19. Partnerships over the funding period.

Over the fund period...
A. We built strategic partnerships with other institutions or groups that will help us grow in the medium term (3 year time frame) Strongly agree
B. The partnerships we built with other institutions or groups helped to bring in more contributors from underrepresented groups Agree
C. The partnerships we built with other institutions or groups helped to build out more content on underrepresented topics/groups Agree

19a. Which of the following factors most helped you to build partnerships? Please pick a MAXIMUM of the three most relevant factors.

Permanent staff outreach, Staff hired through the fund, Partners proactive interest

19b. Which of the following factors hindered your ability to build partnerships? Please pick a MAXIMUM of the three most relevant factors.

Lack of interest from partners, Difficulties specific to our context that hindered partnerships, Limited funding period

20. Please share your learning about strategies to build partnerships with other institutions and groups and any other learning about working with partners?

We actively work with our partners, where we listen to their needs and ideas, as well as their motivation for working with us. Based on these factors, we offer them a joint area of work. We do this with all our partners. We also actively contact all important partners within a specific period. This provided us with the opportunity to expand the circle of our partners and establish new cooperation.

A very important point in our work is cooperation with Wikimedia affiliates and joint projects with them. So this year, in collaboration with Wikimedia Sweden, Poland, and Ukraine, we developed a joint project, applied for funding from the Swedish Institute, and received funding. 2024, we will actively work on this with our partners (see: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Heritage_Guard_Network).

Part 5: Sense of belonging and collaboration edit

21. What would it mean for your organization to feel a sense of belonging to the Wikimedia or free knowledge movement?

Being part of the Wikimedia movement for WMGE generally implies a commitment to the principles of open access to information, collaboration, and the sharing of knowledge for the benefit of all. WMGE contributes to and supports projects that promote free and open knowledge in Georgia.

WMGE actively participates in the creation and dissemination of knowledge, contributing to open-source projects, supporting initiatives that align with the movement's values, and fostering a culture of inclusivity, diversity, and collaboration within the organization. We agree with the idea that knowledge should be freely accessible to everyone and that collective efforts can enhance the availability and quality of information for the global community.

22. How has your (for individual grantees) or your group/organization’s (for organizational grantees) sense of belonging to the Wikimedia or free knowledge movement changed over the fund period?

Increased significantly

23. If you would like to, please share why it has changed in this way.

We have actively begun to contribute as a community to global initiatives. We have also begun to hold regional events here in Georgia, which help introduce our work and community work to the global community and this allows our community to become familiar with the work and ideas of the global community.

24. How has your group/organization’s sense of personal investment in the Wikimedia or free knowledge movement changed over the fund period?

Increased significantly

25. If you would like to, please share why it has changed in this way.

Volunteers and the community with whom we work have realized their capabilities and the value of their contribution to the development of free knowledge.

26. Are there other movements besides the Wikimedia or free knowledge movement that play a central role in your motivation to contribute to Wikimedia projects? (for example, Black Lives Matter, Feminist movement, Climate Justice, or other activism spaces) If so, please describe it below.

Organizations like Creative Commons that work to make materials available under a free license really motivate us. Also, local initiatives in Georgia for the development and support of global initiatives of the UN also stimulate us in our work.

Supporting Peer Learning and Collaboration edit

We are interested in better supporting peer learning and collaboration in the movement.

27. Have you shared these results with Wikimedia affiliates or community members?

Yes

27a. Please describe how you have already shared them. Would you like to do more sharing, and if so how?

We partially shared our knowledge and progress during regional meetings (CEE, Turkic Wikimedia Conference, Wikimania) and online meetings. Also, through monthly reports.

28. How often do you currently share what you have learned with other Wikimedia Foundation grantees, and learn from them?

We do this occasionally (less than once a month)

29. How does your organization currently share mutual learning with other grantees?

Via regional and global meetings (CEE, Wikimania, WMEU meetings, etc.) and online and in-person meetings. Also through reports.

Part 6: Financial reporting and compliance edit

30. Please state the total amount spent in your local currency.

47730.28

31. Local currency type

USD

32. Please report the funds received and spending in the currency of your fund.

  • Upload Documents, Templates, and Files.
  • Report funds received and spent, if template not used.
https://ge.wikimedia.org/wiki/ვიკიმედია_საქართველო/საფინანსო_ანგარიში/2023/en

33. If you have not already done so in your budget report, please provide information on changes in the budget in relation to your original proposal.

N/A

34. Do you have any unspent funds from the Fund?


34a. Please list the amount and currency you did not use and explain why.

N/A

34b. What are you planning to do with the underspent funds?

N/A

34c. Please provide details of hope to spend these funds.

N/A

35. Are you in compliance with the terms outlined in the fund agreement?


As required in the fund agreement, please report any deviations from your fund proposal here. Note that, among other things, any changes must be consistent with our WMF mission, must be for charitable purposes as defined in the grant agreement, and must otherwise comply with the grant agreement.

36. Are you in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations as outlined in the grant agreement?

Yes

37. Are you in compliance with provisions of the United States Internal Revenue Code (“Code”), and with relevant tax laws and regulations restricting the use of the Funds as outlined in the grant agreement? In summary, this is to confirm that the funds were used in alignment with the WMF mission and for charitable/nonprofit/educational purposes.

Yes

38. If you have additional recommendations or reflections that don’t fit into the above sections, please write them here.