Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Rapid Fund/Wiki Loves Monuments Zambia 2023 (ID: 22107144)/Final Report
Report Status: Accepted
Due date: 2023-12-31T00:00:00Z
Funding program: Rapid Fund, Wikimedia Community Fund
Report type: Final
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- Title of Proposal: Wiki Loves Monuments Zambia 2023
- Username of Applicant: User:Icem4k
- Name of Organization: N/A
- Amount awarded: 3246.08
- Amount spent: 2567.5 USD, 61270.75 ZMW
Part 1 Understanding your work edit
1. Briefly describe how your proposed activities and strategies were implemented
To drive engagement and broaden participation in the Wiki Loves Monuments competition, a multifaceted approach was adopted. Leveraging the expansive reach of social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, targeted campaigns were orchestrated, spotlighting the competition and enticing individuals to partake in capturing Zambia's natural heritage. Collaborative efforts with esteemed heritage organizations, museums, and historical societies amplified the competition's visibility, fostering a shared commitment to preserving our rich natural heritage. Extensive outreach initiatives were directed towards educational institutions, mobilizing students from schools and universities to contribute their perspectives. Incentivizing participation through an enticing rewards system, including prizes and recognition, served as a catalyst for heightened enthusiasm and increased submissions. These strategic implementations successfully augmented participation rates, heightened awareness of Zambia's natural treasures, and underscored the importance of safeguarding these invaluable sites for posterity.
2. Were there any strategies or approaches that you felt were effective in achieving your goals? Please describe these strategies and approaches.
Social Media Marketing: The use of platforms like Facebook yielded substantial engagement. The pages allowed for widespread dissemination of information, captivating a diverse audience and motivating them to participate and since in Zambia the use of Facebook is wide. Collaboration with Heritage Organizations: Collaborating with key heritage stakeholders was instrumental in driving the success of the initiative. Foremost among these partners was the National Heritage Conservation Commission, whose steadfast support and guidance played a central role. This collaboration fortified the competition's legitimacy and outreach, uniting efforts to spotlight Zambia's natural heritage. Working in tandem with the National Heritage Conservation Commission ensured a unified vision in preserving and promoting the country's diverse natural sites, amplifying the competition's impact and reach.
3. Please use this space to upload media and other files that help tell your story and impact.
Field to type in URLs.
N/A
4. 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.
| A. Bring in participants from underrepresented groups | Agree |
| B. Create a more inclusive and connected culture in our community | Strongly agree |
| C. Develop content about underrepresented topics/groups | Agree |
| D. Develop content from underrepresented perspectives | Strongly agree |
| E. Encourage the retention of editors | Agree |
| F. Encourage the retention of organizers | Agree |
5. 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?
As we are a New User Group we wish to be able to start Hosting workshops, seminars, and interactive sessions specifically tailored for underrepresented communities facilitated their active involvement (Zambia in the case). These programs will serve as a platforms to educate, inspire, and encourage participation, fostering a sense of ownership and pride in showcasing their cultural and natural heritage.
On other thing is we wish to mitigate barriers to participation, we want to bring about the guidance and support, particularly focusing on making our sessions more friendly and welcoming. This approach encouraged a wider array of participants, including those who might have previously felt excluded and left out.
Part 2: Your main learning edit
6. In your application, you outlined your learning priorities. What did you learn about these areas during this period?
The implementation phase of the Wiki Loves Earth Zambia initiative provided rich learning opportunities across several critical areas. In leadership, I cultivated skills in team management, fostering collaboration, and guiding projects towards unified goals. Project management exposed me to the intricacies of planning, executing, and adapting strategies, highlighting the importance of flexibility and adaptability in dynamic environments. Community engagement taught me the significance of inclusive participation and tailoring outreach to diverse audiences' needs and preferences. Content creation refined my abilities in crafting compelling narratives and visual communication strategies. Advocacy demonstrated the power of effective communication in rallying support for causes and engaging stakeholders. Lastly, partnership building underscored the importance of forging strong alliances and aligning goals for impactful collaborations.
These experiences collectively equipped me with a diverse skill set that extends beyond this initiative, positioning me for more impactful contributions in future projects.
7. Did anything unexpected or surprising happen when implementing your activities?This can include both positive and negative situations. What did you learn from those experiences?
On a positive note, securing collaboration with the National Heritage Conservation Commission was an unexpected and highly beneficial outcome. This partnership significantly bolstered our initiative's credibility and outreach, adding substantial value to our efforts.
Conversely, encountering a lower-than-expected turnout was an unexpected challenge. This shortfall in participation levels posed a learning opportunity, highlighting the unpredictability of public response and the importance of refining outreach strategies to better resonate with diverse audiences.
From these experiences, I learned the immense value of unexpected collaborations in enhancing project impact and the necessity of recalibrating strategies when faced with unanticipated challenges. It emphasized the need for continual adaptability and innovation in engagement approaches to better align with community expectations and interests.
8. How do you hope to use this learning? For instance, do you have any new priorities, ideas for activities, or goals for the future?
I aim to leverage these learnings to refine future strategies and initiatives. One priority is to recalibrate outreach approaches, placing increased emphasis on understanding diverse community interests and expectations. This includes tailoring activities to resonate more effectively with various regions across Zambia, aiming for broader and more inclusive participation. I also aim to employ innovative engagement methods, integrating technology and interactive platforms to expand our reach. This entails forging stronger partnerships not only with established heritage bodies but also with local leaders and grassroots organizations for a more holistic approach. Lastly my aim is to register it as an NGO within Zambia, facilitating collaborations with other NGOs for enhanced support.
9. Documentation of resources: Use this space to upload any documents that would be useful to share with others (e.g. communications material, training material, presentations).
Here is an additional field to type in URLs.
N/A
Part 3: Metrics edit
10a. Open Metrics reporting
In your application, you defined some open metrics and targets (goals). You will see a table like the one below with your metric in the title and the target you set in your proposal automatically filled in. Use the tables to report the result. Use the comments column to describe any aspects of this result that you find relevant. If the results were different from the initial target (goals) then you can explain why and what you learned from this. You can also provide any qualitative analysis regarding these results. In the last column please describe the tools and methodology used to collect this data and any difficulties you might have had.
| Open Metrics | Description | Target | Results | Comments | Methodology |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Photos in articles | Number of photos used in articles in different wikiprojects | 150 | 2 | The lower turnout in submitted images resulted in our inability to meet the intended target of 150 entries. | https://wikiloves.toolforge.org/ |
| 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 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
10b. Core Metrics reporting
In your application, you defined targets for some core metrics and targets (goals). You will see a table like the one below with each core metric in the title and the target you set in your proposal automatically filled in. Use the tables to report the result. Use the comments column to describe any aspects of this result that you find relevant. If the results were different from the initial target (goals) then you can explain why and what you learned from this. You can also provide any qualitative analysis regarding these results. In the last column please describe the tools and methodology used to collect this data and any difficulties you might have had. Note: a table will appear for each Wikimedia project content contribution you defined in your proposal.
| Core metrics | Description | Target | Results | Comments | Methodology |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of participants | 50 | 25 | Our initial projection aimed for a maximum attendance of 50 individuals, yet the turnout amounted to 25 participants. Notably, a majority of attendees identified as writers, with a smaller representation from the photography community | Head count of people who attended. | |
| Number of editors | 20 | 10 | Our initial projection aimed for a maximum attendance of 20 individuals, yet the turnout amounted to 10 participants. | Head count of people who attended. | |
| Number of organizers | 5 | 4 | Regrettably, despite initially planning for a team of five volunteers, unforeseen circumstances led to one member withdrawing at the eleventh hour. | Head count |
| Wikimedia Project | Description | Target | Results | Comments | Methodology |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wikimedia Commons | N/A | 300 | 62 | The observed disparity in turnout, notably with a majority of submissions originating from Lusaka, may account for the lower overall participation rate. | https://wikiloves.toolforge.org/images?event=monuments&year=2023&country=Zambia |
| Wikipedia | N/A | 20 | 2 | Limited number of images submitted | N/A |
| Wikidata | N/A | 10 | 2 | Limited number of images submitted | 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 |
12. Did you have any difficulties collecting data to measure your results? This could include things like a lack of time or resources, or the expertise in your team to collect this data. It could also include difficulties with particular data collection tools.
No
12a. State what difficulties you had.
N/A
12b. How do you hope to overcome these challenges in the future? Do you have any recommendations for the Foundation to support you in addressing these challenges?
N/A
13. Use this space to upload any documents and provide links to any tools you have used that would be useful to understand your data collection (e.g., surveys you have carried out, communications material, training material, program and event dashboard link, project page on Meta).
Here is an additional field to type in URLs.
N/A
14. Have you shared these results with other Wikimedian communities (either affiliates, user groups, volunteers, etc., different to yours)? This can include things such as data and direct outcomes, lessons you have learned, or information on how to run or recreate your programs.
Yes
14a. If yes or partially, please describe how you have already shared them and if you would like to do more sharing, and if so how.
Part 4: Financial reporting and compliance edit
15. & 14a. Please state the total amount spent in your local currency.
61270.75 ZMW
16. Please state the total amount spent in USD.
2567.5 USD
17. Please report the funds received and spending in the currency of your fund.
17a. Upload a financial report file.
17b. Please provide a link to your financial reporting document.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1lIkZ5oj1gqdiYBfKXRDkrX_Dj0ISYECqPb0HFSky1vQ/edit?usp=sharing
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.
17c. 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
18. Do you have any unspent funds from the Fund?
Yes
18a. Please list the amount and currency you did not use and explain why.
ZMW 54.25 I believe its the fluctuations in the kwacha and dollar rates have played a role in altering certain prices, potentially affecting our initiatives. These changes have prompted us to reassess certain aspects of our plans, including adjustments in pricing structures, acknowledging the economic challenges faced.
18b. What are you planning to do with the underspent funds?
A. Propose to use the underspent funds within this Fund period with PO approval
18c. Please provide details of hope to spend these funds.
I wish to transfer it to the next wiki project
19. Are you in compliance with the terms outlined in the fund agreement?
Yes
20. Are you in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations as outlined in the grant agreement?
Yes
21. 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
22. If you have additional recommendations or reflections that don’t fit into the above sections, please write them here.
Wiki Loves Monuments Zambia 2023 marked a significant milestone as the inaugural event in our country, showcasing our natural heritage with the invaluable support of the National Heritage Conservation Commission. While our focus on natural monuments was ambitious, there was a slight deviation in submissions, including infrastructure sites like burial grounds. This highlighted the need for clearer directives. Moving forward to 2024, we're committed to refining our guidelines to ensure a clearer understanding of what constitutes a natural monument. Additionally, due to the lack of freedom of panorama, we regretfully couldn't accept images of historical infrastructure. Moreover, recognizing the regional disparities in participation, our strategy will prioritize outreach efforts beyond Lusaka, aiming to ignite a nationwide interest in preserving and celebrating Zambia's diverse natural heritage.
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