Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Rapid Fund/Empowering Funtua through Wikidata:Enhancing Knowledge and Participation (ID: 22667712)

statusUnder review
Empowering Funtua through Wikidata: Enhancing Knowledge and Participation
proposed start date2024-07-25
proposed end date2024-09-10
budget (local currency)1770000 NGN
budget (USD)1198.14 USD
grant typeIndividual
funding regionSSA
decision fiscal year2023-24
applicant• Mahuta
organization (if applicable)• N/A

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Applicant Details

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Main Wikimedia username. (required)

Mahuta

Organization

N/A

If you are a group or organization leader, board member, president, executive director, or staff member at any Wikimedia group, affiliate, or Wikimedia Foundation, you are required to self-identify and present all roles. (required)

N/A

Describe all relevant roles with the name of the group or organization and description of the role. (required)


Main Proposal

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1. Please state the title of your proposal. This will also be the Meta-Wiki page title.

Empowering Funtua through Wikidata: Enhancing Knowledge and Participation

2. and 3. Proposed start and end dates for the proposal.

2024-07-25 - 2024-09-10

4. Where will this proposal be implemented? (required)

Nigeria

5. Are your activities part of a Wikimedia movement campaign, project, or event? If so, please select the relevant project or campaign. (required)

Not applicable

6. What is the change you are trying to bring? What are the main challenges or problems you are trying to solve? Describe this change or challenges, as well as main approaches to achieve it. (required)

The change we are trying to bring is to enhance the digital literacy and knowledge contribution skills of residents in Funtua, by introducing and training them in Wikidata. Our goal is to empower participants to actively contribute to and utilize Wikidata, thereby increasing the representation of local knowledge and data from Funtua and its surrounding areas on a global platform.

Challenges

  • Limited Awareness and Skills: Currently, there is a lack of awareness and expertise regarding Wikidata among the residents. Most people are familiar with Wikipedia and Wiktionary, but Wikidata remains an underutilized resource.
  • Digital Divide: Access to reliable internet and digital tools is limited, which hampers the ability of participants to engage fully with online platforms like Wikidata.
  • Content Gaps: There is a significant lack of local content from Funtua and areas on Wikidata. This includes cultural, historical, geographical, and other local data that are essential for a comprehensive global knowledge base.
  • Sustainability of Contributions: Ensuring that participants continue to contribute to Wikidata after the initial training is a challenge. There needs to be a sustainable model for ongoing engagement and support.

Approaches to Achieve the Change

  • Training Workshops: Conduct two days hands-on workshops to train participants on how to use and contribute to Wikidata. These workshops will cover the basics of data entry, editing, and querying in Wikidata.
  • One-Day Edit-a-thon: Organize a one-day edit-a-thon event where participants can come together to apply their newly acquired skills in a collaborative environment. This event will serve as a practical exercise to reinforce learning, foster teamwork, and create a sense of community among contributors.
  • Digital Resource Provision: Provide necessary digital tools and internet access during training sessions to bridge the digital divide and ensure effective learning.
  • Local Content Development: Focus on creating and uploading data relevant to Funtua and areas. Encourage participants to gather and digitize local knowledge, thereby enriching Wikidata with diverse and underrepresented information.
  • Mentorship and Support: Establish a mentorship program where experienced Wikidata contributors can guide and support new participants. Create a local Wikidata user group to foster a community of practice that encourages ongoing contribution and collaboration.

By addressing these challenges through structured training and ongoing support, we aim to build a knowledgeable community that can contribute to and benefit from Wikidata, ultimately leading to a richer, more diverse global knowledge repository.

7. What are the planned activities? (required) Please provide a list of main activities. You can also add a link to the public page for your project where details about your project can be found. Alternatively, you can upload a timeline document. When the activities include partnerships, include details about your partners and planned partnerships.

The planned activities include,

1. Organizing a workshop on Wikidata basics, including an introduction to the platform, its features, and how to contribute and edit data. 2. Conducting hands-on training sessions where participants will learn how to create and edit Wikidata entries, focusing on topics relevant to the local community. 3. Hosting a Wikidata editing contest or challenge to encourage participants to apply their skills and contribute to the platform. 4. Establishing a support system for participants to receive ongoing guidance and assistance with their Wikidata contributions. 5. Hosting a closing event to celebrate the achievements of participants and showcase the impact of their contributions to Wikidata. 6. Establishing a support system for participants to receive ongoing guidance and assistance with their Wikidata contributions

For partnerships, we plan to collaborate with local educational institutions, community organizations, and government agencies to promote and support the project. Additionally, we will reach out to experienced Wikidata contributors and volunteers to provide mentorship and support to participants throughout the project.

8. Describe your team. Please provide their roles, Wikimedia Usernames and other details. (required) Include more details of the team, including their roles, usernames, Wikimedia group, and whether they are salaried, volunteers, consultants/contractors, etc. Team members involved in the grant application need to be aware of their involvement in the project.

The team consists of the following key members:

  • User:Yusuf Sa'adu (Project Lead and Organizer)

I'm an active Wikimedian, Hausa Wikipedia and Hausa Wiktionary Sysop editor, experienced Wikidata editor, I received Laptop support from Wikimedia Deutsch for my contributions to Wikidata. And I will play a crucial role as the project lead organizer. I will oversee the planning, coordination, and implementation of the project activities. Furthermore, I will bring my expertise to lead some of the training sessions, sharing my knowledge and insights with the participants. My experience and familiarity with Wikidata initiatives make me well-suited for guiding the project's overall direction and ensuring its success.

  • User:Gwanki - an experienced Wikimedian and Hausa Wikipedia admin with over 11,000 edits on Wikidata. Abubakar has previously organized a Wikidata project in Kano and will contribute his expertise to facilitate all events in Funtua. Gwanki will take on the role of the project's trainer for both online and offline sessions.
  • User:A Salisu - (Female ) A seasoned Wikimedian from Funtua, who successfully organized the Funtua WomenWiki project. A Salisu will primarily focus on recruitment and guiding female editors in the project.
  • User:A Sulaiman Z - An experienced Wikimedian with significant contributions to Wikidata, having received Laptop Support from Wikimedia Deutsch for his contributions to Wikidata. Sulaiman will contribute his expertise by facilitating all aspects of the project. Sulaiman is an experienced Hausa Wikidata editor with a strong focus on project welfare, and he help participants how can created account during the physical training and online training

By leveraging the knowledge and experience of these facilitators, we aim to create a supportive and engaging learning environment that encourages active participation and contributions to Wikidata within the Funtua community.

9. Who are the target participants and from which community? How will you engage participants before and during the activities? How will you follow up with participants after the activities? (required)

The target participants for this project are individuals interested in expanding their knowledge and skills in contributing to Wikidata. Our aim is to engage local community members, including students, educators, researchers, and professionals, who have participated in previous Wikipedia, [Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Rapid Fund/Wiktionary Workshop And Training In Karadua Community (ID: 21969888) Wiktionary], and Funtua WomenWiki training sessions and have expressed an interest in learning more about Wikidata.

To engage participants before the activities, we will utilize our existing network of participants from previous training sessions by reaching out to them through email, social media platforms, and community forums. We will also collaborate with local educational institutions, organizations, and community centers to promote the upcoming Wikidata training sessions and encourage their members to participate.

During the activities, we will ensure active engagement by providing interactive and hands-on training sessions, incorporating group activities, discussions, and practical exercises to encourage participation and learning. We will also create a supportive and inclusive learning environment, where participants feel encouraged to ask questions, share their experiences, and collaborate with their peers.

After the activities, we will follow up with participants through surveys, feedback forms, and online communication channels to gather their input on the training sessions and evaluate the impact on their knowledge and skills. We will also provide ongoing support and resources to help participants continue their learning journey on Wikidata and stay connected with the Wikimedia community.

10. Does your project involve work with children or youth? (required)

No

10.1. Please provide a link to your Youth Safety Policy. (required) If the proposal indicates direct contact with children or youth, you are required to outline compliance with international and local laws for working with children and youth, and provide a youth safety policy aligned with these laws. Read more here.

N/A

11. How did you discuss the idea of your project with your community members and/or any relevant groups? Please describe steps taken and provide links to any on-wiki community discussion(s) about the proposal. (required) You need to inform the community and/or group, discuss the project with them, and involve them in planning this proposal. You also need to align the activities with other projects happening in the planned area of implementation to ensure collaboration within the community.

I have been actively engaged with the participants in our Previous projects WhatsApp group who have expressed interest and curiosity about Wikidata. Whenever they reach out to me with questions about Wikidata, I provide them with answers and guidance. Recently, the participants in the group requested to have a specific project dedicated to learning about Wikidata. This feedback from the community members demonstrated a genuine interest and need for further exploration of Wikidata.

To ensure that the proposed Wikidata project aligns with the interests and needs of the community, I discussed the idea with the chairperson of the Hausa Wikimedians User Group, of which I am a member. I obtained permission and full support from the user group for organizing the Wikidata project, highlighting that there is no overlap or duplication with any ongoing projects. This collaboration with the user group will facilitate community engagement and ensure that the project is well-received and supported by relevant stakeholders.

Furthermore, I consulted with other facilitators who will be involved in the project, and I received their full support and endorsement. This collaborative approach will enable us to leverage the expertise and resources of multiple individuals, enhancing the quality and impact of the Wikidata training program. By involving the community, user group, and facilitators in the planning and execution of the project, we aim to foster a sense of ownership and collaboration, ensuring that the activities are tailored to the specific needs and interests of the participants in Funtua town, and promoting synergy with other existing projects in the area.

12. Does your proposal aim to work to bridge any of the content knowledge gaps (Knowledge Inequity)? Select one option that most apply to your work. (required)

Geography

13. Does your proposal include any of these areas or thematic focus? Select one option that most applies to your work. (required)

Not applicable

14. Will your work focus on involving participants from any underrepresented communities? Select one option that most apply to your work. (required)

Geographic

15. In what ways do you think your proposal most contributes to the Movement Strategy 2030 recommendations. Select one that most applies. (required)

Innovate in Free Knowledge

Learning and metrics

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17. What do you hope to learn from your work in this project or proposal? (required)

By working on this project and proposal to introduce Wikidata training in Funtua, we hope to learn more about how to effectively engage and educate community members on the importance and potential of Wikidata. We aim to gather insights on the best practices for conducting training sessions and workshops on Wikidata, as well as understand the impact of such initiatives in increasing awareness and participation in contributing to Wikidata.

Furthermore, we hope to learn about the specific needs and interests of the participants in Funtua town regarding Wikidata, in order to tailor our training content and approach to better meet their expectations and encourage active involvement. Additionally, we aim to gain valuable feedback from the participants on their experience with Wikidata training, the challenges they encountered, and any suggestions for improvement, which will enable us to refine our approach and develop future training initiatives more effectively.

18. What are your Wikimedia project targets in numbers (metrics)? (required)
Number of participants, editors, and organizers
Other Metrics Target Optional description
Number of participants 50 Total number of participants
Number of editors 40 Number of editors
Number of organizers 4 Total number of organozers
Number of content contributions to Wikimedia projects
Wikimedia project Number of content created or improved
Wikipedia
Wikimedia Commons
Wikidata 1500
Wiktionary
Wikisource
Wikimedia Incubator
Translatewiki
MediaWiki
Wikiquote
Wikivoyage
Wikibooks
Wikiversity
Wikinews
Wikispecies
Wikifunctions or Abstract Wikipedia
Optional description for content contributions.

Number of wikidata items created and editing during the physical and online training

19. Do you have any other project targets in numbers (metrics)? (optional)

No

Main Open Metrics Data
Main Open Metrics Description Target
N/A N/A N/A
N/A N/A N/A
N/A N/A N/A
N/A N/A N/A
N/A N/A N/A
20. What tools would you use to measure each metrics? Please refer to the guide for a list of tools. You can also write that you are not sure and need support. (required)

I will use Wikimedia Foundation's Dashboard Tool

Financial proposal

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21. Please upload your budget for this proposal or indicate the link to it. (required)

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dw97lKxPs-fzW3B6WRFVzGKrkujU4zDfLD6T1QJMkOo/edit?usp=drivesdk


22. and 22.1. What is the amount you are requesting for this proposal? Please provide the amount in your local currency. (required)

1770000 NGN

22.2. Convert the amount requested into USD using the Oanda converter. This is done only to help you assess the USD equivalent of the requested amount. Your request should be between 500 - 5,000 USD.

1198.14 USD

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

Yes

Endorsements and Feedback

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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