Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Rapid Fund/Wikipedia Trainings in Lebanon & Egypt (ID: 22673846)
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Applicant Details
edit- Main Wikimedia username. (required)
ShahenWasHere
- Organization
Wikimedians of Western Armenian Language User Group
- 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
edit- 1. Please state the title of your proposal. This will also be the Meta-Wiki page title.
Wikipedia Trainings in Lebanon & Egypt
- 2. and 3. Proposed start and end dates for the proposal.
2024-07-18 - 2024-08-18
- 4. Where will this proposal be implemented? (required)
Regional (more than one country in the same continent or region) Beirut, Lebanon Cairo, Egypt
- 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 primary change we aim to achieve is the revitalization and increased presence of the Western Armenian language on digital platforms, specifically on Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons. By empowering the Western Armenian-speaking communities in Lebanon and Egypt to contribute to these platforms, we seek to preserve and promote the Western Armenian language and culture in the digital age. This involves cultivating a new generation of skilled Wikipedia editors and Wikimedia contributors who are fluent in Western Armenian.
Main Challenges or Problems
1. Language Preservation: Western Armenian is classified as an endangered language. There is a critical need to preserve it by increasing its use and visibility online.
2. Lack of Awareness and Skills: Many Western Armenian speakers may not be aware of how they can contribute to Wikipedia or Wikimedia Commons, or they might lack the necessary editing and digital literacy skills.
3. Community Engagement: Mobilizing a dispersed community and maintaining sustained engagement can be challenging, particularly in countries where there may be socio-political and economic difficulties. Bringing them together with something like open-source knowledge through Wiki projects would be ideal.
4. Resource Accessibility: Ensuring that participants have access to the necessary resources, as in information in their tongue first and foremost.
5. Cultural Inclusion: Navigating the cultural nuances and ensuring that content creation includes Armenians from all walks of life, ensuring the diverse and inclusive reflection in their Wiki contributions, whether that be gender gaps or beyond.
Approaches to Achieve the Change
1. Training Workshops: Conduct comprehensive workshops on Wikipedia editing and Wikimedia Commons use and uploading. These workshops will cover basics to advanced topics, ensuring participants gain a thorough understanding and hands-on experience.
- Initial Training: Introduce participants to the Wikimedia ecosystem, focusing on the importance of their contributions to language preservation and the mission of open source knowledge at large. - Advanced Sessions: If deemed necessary while in Lebanon and/or Egypt, offer deeper insights into ethical content creation, verification of information, and the nuances of Wikimedia policies.
2. Community Building: Foster a strong sense of community among participants through meetups. Upon the end of our trip, we want to follow it up with online meetups and collaborative projects, including all participants who might be interested.
- Mentorship Programs: Pair experienced editors with new contributors to provide guidance and support upon the completion of our trip, based on interest and/or qualifications. - Networking Events: Organize public events to connect participants with other Wikimedia communities in the region (if possible), promoting a sense of belonging and purpose.
3. Awareness Campaigns: Launch campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of Western Armenian contributions to Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons.
- Outreach Programs: Collaborate with local schools, universities, and community centers to reach potential participants. - Social Media Promotion: Use social media platforms to highlight success stories, share updates, and encourage participation.
4. Resource Provision: Ensure that all participants have access to necessary resources.
- Digital Access: Ensure internet access or partner with our logistical partners for solutions. - Educational Materials: Create and distribute guides, video tutorials, and other educational resources in Western Armenian and their use on Wiki projects.
5. Feedback and Adaptation: Establish mechanisms for continuous feedback and improvement of the training programs.
- Surveys and Feedback Forms: Regularly collect feedback from participants to understand their needs and challenges. - Program Adjustments: Adapt and refine training programs based on feedback to better serve the community.
By implementing these approaches, we aim to create a sustainable ecosystem of Western Armenian Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons contributors, thereby ensuring the language’s digital presence and fostering a vibrant, engaged community.
- 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.
Main Activities
1. Wikipedia Editing Training Workshops:
- Youth Centers and Federations: Conduct workshops tailored for youth centers and federations to teach the fundamentals of Wikipedia editing in Western Armenian. - Student Associations and School Clubs: Organize sessions within student associations and school clubs to engage students in Wikipedia editing. - Scouts Organizations: Host interactive training for scouts organizations, integrating Wikipedia editing into their educational activities. - Armenian Studies University Programs: Collaborate with universities offering Armenian Studies programs to integrate Wikipedia editing into their curriculum. - Public Events: Arrange public events to raise awareness and encourage public participation.
2. Partnership Development:
- Local Schools and Universities: Partner with local schools and universities to facilitate regular training sessions and integrate Wikipedia editing into their extracurricular activities. We’ve previously succeeded at this by creating Wiki Clubs in different Armenian schools in Lebanon, but due to the Lebanese economic crisis followed by the pandemic, maintaining physical collaboration became extremely difficult; we want to revive that spirit. - Community Organizations: Collaborate with community organizations to reach a wider audience and provide ongoing support for new contributors. - Cultural and Heritage Institutions: Work with cultural and heritage institutions to ensure accurate representation of Western Armenian history and culture on Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons.
3. Awareness Campaigns and Outreach:
- Social Media Campaigns: Launch social media campaigns to promote the importance of Western Armenian contributions and highlight training opportunities. - Workshops and Webinars: Host online workshops and webinars to reach individuals who cannot attend in-person events after the trip is over. - Promotional Materials: Distribute flyers, posters, and other promotional materials in schools, universities, and community centers.
4. Resource Creation and Distribution:
- Educational Guides: Develop comprehensive guides and tutorials on Wikipedia editing and Wikimedia Commons in Western Armenian. - Video Tutorials: Produce video tutorials that can be accessed online, covering various aspects of Wikipedia editing. - Support Materials: Provide participants with support materials, including access to online resources and troubleshooting guides.
Planned Partnerships
- Local Educational Institutions: Schools, universities, and educational programs focused on Armenian studies and/or have a sizable Western Armenian-speaking community to integrate training into their existing curriculum.
- Community Organizations: Armenian cultural centers, youth organizations, and federations to expand reach and provide localized support.
- Cultural Heritage Organizations: Institutions dedicated to preserving Armenian culture and heritage, ensuring content accuracy and cultural sensitivity, and providing open-source and public domain information that might be otherwise hard to find online.
- 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.
Team Details
Our team is comprised of dedicated individuals who are passionate about preserving and promoting the Western Armenian language through Wikimedia projects. Below are the details of our team members, their roles, and their involvement in the project:
Azniv Stepanian (User:Azniv Stepanian)
- Role: Trainer, Project Coordinator
- Responsibilities: Azniv will be traveling to Lebanon and Egypt to conduct Wikipedia editing training sessions. She will also coordinate with local partners, manage logistics, and oversee the implementation of the training programs.
- Experience: Azniv is an admin on Western Armenian Wikipedia and a community leader within the Wikimedians of Western Armenian Language User Group. She has taken part in multiple global Wiki projects, including Wikimania, WikiArabia, and beyond.
Shahen Araboghlian (User:ShahenWasHere)
- Role: Trainer, Outreach Manager
- Responsibilities: Shahen will travel alongside Azniv to Lebanon to facilitate the training sessions. He will handle outreach activities, including partnerships with local organizations and promotional efforts to maximize participation.
- Experience: Shahen has served as an admin on Western Armenian Wikipedia for years and a community leader in the Wikimedians of Western Armenian Language User Group. He’s taken part in multiple global Wiki projects, including the Wiki Summit, Wikimania, and more.
Sevan Tanielian-Meguerian (User: Սեւան Դանիէլեան Մկրեան)
- Role: Trainer, Local Coordinator (Lebanon)
- Responsibilities: Based in Lebanon, Sevan will manage the on-ground coordination for training sessions in Lebanon. She will also assist in organizing events, maintaining participant engagement, and providing ongoing support to new contributors.
- Experience: Sevan has been an admin on Western Armenian Wikipedia and plays a significant role as a community leader in the Wikimedians of Western Armenian Language User Group. She’s helped organize Wiki Camps in Armenia, Portugal, France, and more.
Additional Partners
To support the core team, we will collaborate with additional volunteers and consultants as needed. These roles include:
Local Volunteers
- Role: Event Assistants, Technical Support
- Responsibilities: Local volunteers who are current editors and a part of our community will assist us during training sessions by providing technical support, helping with event setup, and ensuring the smooth operation of activities.
Organizational Structure
All team members involved in this project are part of the Wikimedians of Western Armenian Language User Group. Our collaborative approach ensures that each team member is well-informed and actively involved in the project, contributing their expertise to achieve our goals.
Transparency and Coordination
- Communication: Regular meetings and updates will be held to ensure coordination and alignment among all team members.
- Involvement: Each team member is fully aware of their roles and responsibilities within the project and is committed to its success.
- Transparency: As with all our previous activities, all User Group members and community supporters will be aware of all actions to be carried out, and often partake in decision-making processes where possible. By leveraging the diverse skills and dedication of our team, we aim to effectively deliver impactful training sessions and promote the Western Armenian language within Wikimedia projects.
- 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)
Target Participants and Community
Target Participants
- Youth Centers and Federations: Young individuals who are members of various youth centers and federations.
- Student Associations and School Clubs: Students involved in associations and clubs at schools and universities.
- Scouts Organizations: Members of scouts organizations who are engaged in educational and community activities.
- Armenian Studies University Programs: Students and faculty members from university programs focused on Armenian studies.
- General Public: Any Western Armenian speakers interested in contributing to Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons.
Community
- The primary focus is on the Western Armenian-speaking communities in Lebanon and Egypt. These countries have the largest Western Armenian-speaking populations, providing a rich pool of potential participants who are deeply connected to their cultural heritage. Additionally, both communities have rich libraries that can serve as sources to future Wiki information.
Engagement Strategies
Before the Activities
1. Awareness Campaigns:
- Social Media: Utilize social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) to raise awareness about the training sessions, highlighting their importance and benefits. - Community Announcements: Email our partners in the region and inform our community members in our WhatsApp group chats.
2. Partnerships:
- Educational Institutions: Collaborate with schools, universities, and youth organizations to promote the sessions and encourage participation. - Cultural and Heritage Organizations: Partner with local Armenian cultural centers and heritage organizations to reach a wider audience.
3. Information Sessions:
- Webinars and Info Sessions: Host pre- and post-event webinars and information sessions to explain the goals of the training and answer any questions potential participants might have.
4. Online Registration:
- Sign-up Forms: Create online registration forms to collect contact information and gauge interest. Follow up with registered participants via email.
During the Activities
1. Interactive Workshops:
- Hands-on Training: Provide interactive and practical training sessions where participants can learn by doing, with real-time support from trainers. - Group Activities: Encourage group activities and collaborative projects to foster a sense of community and shared purpose.
2. Mentorship Programs:
- Experienced Editors: Pair new participants with experienced Wikipedia editors who can guide them through the process and provide ongoing support after meeting up with potential interested individuals during the trips.
3. Resource Distribution:
- Educational Materials: Distribute guides, tutorials, and other educational materials in Western Armenian to support participants during and after the sessions.
After the Activities
1. Follow-up Communication:
- Regular Check-ins: Conduct regular follow-up emails and calls to check on participants' progress, address any challenges, and offer additional support. - Feedback Collection: Gather feedback through surveys and feedback forms to understand participants' experiences and improve future sessions.
2. Online Community Building:
- Forums and Groups: Create online forums and social media groups where participants can continue to interact, share their work, and support each other. - Monthly Meetups: Organize virtual or in-person meetups to maintain engagement and encourage continued contributions.
3. Continuous Support:
- Mentorship Continuation: Ensure that the mentorship relationships established during the training continue to provide guidance and support. - Advanced Workshops: Offer advanced training workshops and specialized sessions to help participants further develop their skills.
4. Recognition and Incentives:
- Certificates and Awards: Provide certificates of participation and recognize the contributions of active participants through awards and public acknowledgments. - Highlight Success Stories: Share success stories and contributions of participants on social media and community newsletters to inspire others.
By implementing these strategies, we aim to effectively engage the Western Armenian-speaking community in Lebanon and Egypt, fostering a vibrant and sustainable group of Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons contributors.
- 10. Does your project involve work with children or youth? (required)
Yes
- 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.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Vqs-LvLuClGj9sQBNqVwZYa2ewksLVkNL2Fplq8SU2Y/edit?usp=sharing
- 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.
Steps Taken to Discuss the Project with the Community
1. Initial Outreach:
- Dissemination of Information: We began by sharing information about the project proposal through various channels. - Invitations to Discuss: We extended invitations to community members to participate in virtual meetings and discussions to learn more about the interest in these trips and their involvement in the projects. Their feedback was extremely positive and welcoming.
2. Virtual Meetings and Discussions:
- Google Meet Sessions: Hosted Google Meet sessions where community members could join and discuss the project. These sessions were announced in advance to ensure maximum participation. - WhatsApp Texting and Calls: Used WhatsApp for continuous and accessible communication, allowing members to share their thoughts and feedback in a more informal and convenient manner.
3. Gathering Feedback:
- Open Dialogue: Created a platform for open dialogue and collaboration, where community members could express their enthusiasm, readiness, and dedication towards the initiative. - Addressing Concerns: Listened to and addressed any concerns or questions raised by the community members, ensuring their views were considered in the planning process.
4. Involvement in Planning:
- Shaping the Proposal: Actively involved community members in shaping the proposal, ensuring that it aligns with their needs and interests. - Encouraging Participation: Encouraged participation from diverse stakeholders, including experienced Wikimedians, educators, students, and representatives from cultural centers.
5. Alignment with Other Projects:
- Collaborative Planning: Ensured that our activities were aligned with other projects within the Wikimedia projects scope. This included coordination with local cultural events and educational initiatives to maximize impact and collaboration within the Armenian community in general and for the benefit of the Wiki projects at large.
Community Engagement Outcome
By fostering a sense of ownership and involvement among community members, we cultivated a collaborative atmosphere that facilitated the development of a comprehensive and inclusive project proposal. Our engagement efforts were focused on direct communication channels to ensure maximum participation and feedback from the community.
- 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)
Language
- 13. Does your proposal include any of these areas or thematic focus? Select one option that most applies to your work. (required)
Education
- 14. Will your work focus on involving participants from any underrepresented communities? Select one option that most apply to your work. (required)
Linguistic / Language
- 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
edit- 17. What do you hope to learn from your work in this project or proposal? (required)
Learning Questions for the Project
Our project aims to foster a spirit of participation in Wikimedia projects among Western Armenian-speaking communities in Lebanon and Egypt. By doing so, we hope to contribute to the longevity and prosperity of the Western Armenian language in a meaningful, open-source manner on Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons. Here are the main learning questions we aim to explore through this initiative:
1. Engagement and Participation
How effective are our outreach methods in attracting new contributors to Wikimedia projects?
We will measure the number of new participants registered for the training sessions and their subsequent activity on Wikipedia.
What motivates individuals to start and continue contributing to Wikimedia projects?**
- Surveys and interviews will be conducted with participants to understand their motivations and barriers to ongoing involvement.
2. Skill Development and Knowledge Transfer
- How well do the training sessions improve participants' skills in Wikipedia editing and Wikimedia Commons contributions?
- Pre- and post-training assessments will be used to evaluate the improvement in participants' editing skills and understanding of Wikimedia policies.
- What specific aspects of the training are most and least effective?
- Feedback forms and direct observations during training sessions will help identify which training components are most beneficial and which need improvement.
3. Community Building and Sustainability
- How successful are we in building a supportive community of Western Armenian Wikimedia contributors?
- The establishment of mentorship programs, online forums, and regular meetups will be evaluated based on participation rates and community engagement metrics.
- What challenges do participants face in maintaining their involvement post-training, and how can these be mitigated?
- Follow-up surveys and discussions with participants will provide insights into the challenges they face and potential solutions for sustained engagement.
4. Impact on Western Armenian Language and Culture
- What is the impact of increased Wikimedia contributions on the digital presence of the Western Armenian language?
- The quantity and quality of Western Armenian content added to Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons will be tracked and analyzed.
- How do these contributions help in preserving and promoting Western Armenian culture and history?
- Content analysis will be conducted to evaluate the cultural and historical significance of the contributions made by participants.
5. Youth Engagement and Safety
- How effective is our youth safety policy in ensuring a safe and positive experience for young participants?
- Incident reports, participant feedback, and compliance checks will be used to assess the effectiveness of the youth safety measures.
- What are the best practices for engaging youth in Wikimedia projects while ensuring their safety and compliance with local laws?
- Lessons learned from the implementation of our safety policies will be documented and shared for future reference.
By collecting and analyzing data related to these questions, we hope to gain valuable insights into the most effective strategies for engaging Western Armenian-speaking communities in Wikimedia projects. These insights will not only help improve our current initiatives but also guide future efforts in promoting the Western Armenian language and culture through open-source, collaborative platforms like Wikipedia.
- 18. What are your Wikimedia project targets in numbers (metrics)? (required)
| Other Metrics | Target | Optional description |
|---|---|---|
| Number of participants | 250 | |
| Number of editors | 50 | |
| Number of organizers | 7 | This includes community volunteers. |
| Wikimedia project | Number of content created or improved |
|---|---|
| Wikipedia | 50 |
| Wikimedia Commons | 100 |
| Wikidata | |
| Wiktionary | |
| Wikisource | |
| Wikimedia Incubator | |
| Translatewiki | |
| MediaWiki | |
| Wikiquote | |
| Wikivoyage | |
| Wikibooks | |
| Wikiversity | |
| Wikinews | |
| Wikispecies | |
| Wikifunctions or Abstract Wikipedia |
- Optional description for content contributions.
N/A
- 19. Do you have any other project targets in numbers (metrics)? (optional)
Yes
| Main Open Metrics | Description | Target |
|---|---|---|
| Article Contributions | We aim to reach 200+ article contributions. This is the number of contributions made during and after the trainings have been conducted, by the users who learned about the Wiki projects during the trainings. | 200 |
| Wikimedia Commons Uploaded Images | We aim to strictly increase the number of Wikimedia Commons image uploads during and after the training sessions. | 100 |
| 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)
We will be keeping ourselves up to date with the contributions made by our users on Wikimedia Commons and Wikipedia by tracking their edits on the platform.
Financial proposal
edit- 21. Please upload your budget for this proposal or indicate the link to it. (required)
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZJBu-9q38Xb_wjoziYTkZrHz2A_xJ3kGcUrluGuUZuA/edit?usp=sharing
- 22. and 22.1. What is the amount you are requesting for this proposal? Please provide the amount in your local currency. (required)
1845340 AMD
- 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.
5000 USD
- We/I have read the Application Privacy Statement, WMF Friendly Space Policy and Universal Code of Conduct.
Yes
Endorsements and Feedback
editPlease 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).