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Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Wikiesfera - Combatiendo juntas la brecha de género en Wikipedia/Final Report

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Final Learning Report

Report Status: Accepted

Due date: 2024-02-14T00:00:00Z

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: Wikiesfera Grupo de Usuarixs
  • Title of Proposal: Wikiesfera - Combatiendo juntas la brecha de género en Wikipedia
  • Amount awarded: 48504.11 USD, 44500 EUR
  • Amount spent: 44500 EUR

Part 1 Understanding your work edit

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

The proposed activities and strategies by Wikiesfera in 2023 were implemented through several key approaches, designed to address the gender gap and enhance inclusivity within the Wikimedia universe. Here's a brief overview:

  • Regular Meetings: Wikiesfera held 36 weekly in-person meetings (each lasting 3 hours) at La Fabulosa bookstore in Madrid (247 attendees) and 18 virtual meetings (each lasting 2 hours) twice a month (135 attendees). These gatherings served as a platform for learning, collaboration, and planning of further activities, engaging an average of 7 participants per meeting.
  • Edit-a-thons to Fight Gender Gap: Organizing 13 edit-a-thons targeting underrepresented groups including women in STEM, artists, entrepreneurs, thinkers, and minorities such as the Romani and LGBT communities. These initiatives not only enhanced the representation of these groups on Wikipedia but also directly addressed the gender gap by engaging a considerable number of female editors. With 171 participants, predominantly women (94%), these events resulted in the creation of 161 articles (54 new articles and 107 translations) and involved 62 new female editors.
  • Talks and Collaborations: Wikiesfera delivered 13 talks in collaboration with 12 organizations from the fields of education, culture, and technology. The aim of these activities was to spread the word about Wikipedia, raise awareness about the gender gap in the Wikimedia projects and attract new female editors.
  • Institutional Partnerships: The group collaborated with 36 public and private organizations, including cultural centers, universities, and local governments, to expand its reach and impact.

Media Presence: Wikiesfera's initiatives were featured in 55 media pieces across press, radio, television, and web platforms, highlighting the group's efforts to promote gender inclusivity.

  • Social Media and Communication: The group maintained an active presence on four social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn -these last two, opened in 2023-), growing their follower base to 2,127. A newsletter was launched to inform more than 700 subscribers about upcoming events and achievements, reaching an open rate of 64.73%. We also use a mailing list to distribute articles for review and feedback from other editors. Additionally, a Telegram group has been established to facilitate quicker communication, serving as a platform for sharing activity reminders, soliciting assistance with editing challenges, and more.

Through these activities and strategies, Wikiesfera aimed to correct the androcentric and Eurocentric biases in Wikipedia articles, increase the representation of minority groups, and incorporate content documenting culture and knowledge beyond conventional academic, institutional, or media sources. The successful implementation of these strategies, despite receiving only half the requested funding from the Wikimedia Foundation, demonstrates Wikiesfera's commitment to creating a more feminist, inclusive and diverse Wikipedia.

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

Based on the activities and outcomes described in the 2023 report for Wikiesfera, several strategies and approaches stand out as particularly effective in achieving the group's goals of enhancing inclusivity and diversity within the Wikimedia universe:

  • Regular Meetings and Training Sessions: Holding regular in-person and virtual meetings facilitated continuous learning, skill development, and community building among participants. These gatherings served as a foundation for collaboration and were essential for planning and reflecting on the group's activities and strategies.
  • Edit-a-thons Targeted at Underrepresented Groups: Organizing edit-a-thons with a specific focus on women in STEM, artists, entrepreneurs, thinkers, and minorities such as the Romani and LGBT communities was a powerful approach. These events not only increased the representation of these groups in Wikipedia but also engaged a significant number of new female editors (62), thereby addressing the gender gap directly.
  • Collaborations with Educational and Cultural Institutions: Partnering with universities, cultural centers, and other organizations helped Wikiesfera reach a broader audience, leverage resources, and enhance the credibility and impact of their activities. Such collaborations facilitated the organization of talks and workshops, extending the reach and effectiveness of their educational efforts.
  • Media Engagement: Gaining visibility through media appearances (press, radio, television, and online) was an effective way to raise awareness about the gender and representation gaps in Wikipedia. This strategy not only highlighted the importance of Wikiesfera's mission but also attracted new participants and supporters to the cause.
  • Social Media and Communication Efforts: Maintaining an active presence on social media platforms and launching a newsletter were strategic in engaging the community, promoting events, and keeping the momentum going. The newsletter, in particular, with its high open rate, proved to be an effective communication tool, ensuring that interested parties were well-informed and engaged.

These approaches collectively contributed to Wikiesfera's success in narrowing the gender and diversity gaps on Wikipedia, demonstrating the effectiveness of targeted edit-a-thons, strategic collaborations, media engagement, dedicated communication efforts, and regular community-building activities.

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?

  • Permanent Open Space: Having a permanent open space where everyone is welcome is an advantage in order to deploy a model of adaptive learning. This facilitated the adaptation of strategies based on feedback and evolving needs, which may be more dynamic and responsive than traditional models seen in other initiatives. The fact that our permanent open space is a local bookstore -a non-normative cultural space- allows us also to offer books to participants. Having the funds to pay for the rent and the books -all written by women- allows us to support the social fabric of the barrio in which we operate.
  • Building a Community for Women by Women: We believe that one of the critical components that have led to the success of Wikiesfera has been the unrelenting focus on building a community, and not just building content. This, we believe, has been a paradigm shift from what historically has been the focus of wiki-related activities and events. Our priority is to attract and retain new editors, with the understanding that in the long term this will result in more content created and improved. Activities and events that just focus on content creation, in our experience, are usually geared towards the participation of existing editors and will seldom attract or retain new editors. We prefer to gear our efforts towards new editors, which means specific messaging, assisting them from the first minute, developing and launching an easy-to-use methodology in activities and events, and removing elements that could be perceived as hostile or stress-inducing such as competitive editing. There is a reason our community is composed of a large number of women, or that our activities and events attract mainly women, and we believe it is because of this differentiated, targeted approach.

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

Wikiesfera engaged diverse communities through several approaches:

  • Local and Online Meetings: Regular gatherings at La Fabulosa bookstore in Madrid provided a physical space for collaboration, complemented by virtual meetings for wider online participation.
  • Edit-a-thons for Underrepresented Groups: Wikiesfera organized events focusing on women in STEM, artists, entrepreneurs, thinkers, the Romani community, and LGBT individuals, promoting participation and awareness.
  • Collaborations with Educational and Cultural Institutions: Partnerships with universities, cultural centers, and libraries facilitated outreach through talks and workshops, encouraging involvement from academic and cultural circles.
  • Media Outreach: Wikiesfera’s presence in press, radio, TV, and web platforms informed the public about their efforts to address Wikipedia’s gender and diversity gaps, expanding awareness beyond Wikipedia contributors.
  • Social Media Engagement: Active presence on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn kept diverse online communities informed, facilitated real-time updates, engagement, and event promotion.
  • Engagement within Wikimedia Movement: Wikiesfera actively participated in Meta updates, events like WikiWomenCamp, Iberoconf, and the Wikimedia Summit, fostering collaboration and sharing best practices.
  • Newsletter: The launch of a newsletter provided direct communication on Wikiesfera’s activities, achievements, and opportunities for involvement, maintaining engagement with over 700 subscribers.
  • Mailing List: A structured mailing list facilitated peer review and discussion, accommodating members' schedules and ensuring thoughtful feedback and organized archives.
  • Telegram Group: An efficient platform for rapid communication, the Telegram group facilitated activity reminders, editing support, and immediate communication needs.

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.

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

Wikiesfera is a group founded and led by women, fostering a safe and non-competitive environment - these efforts have significantly contributed to attracting participants and expanding content, especially for women. By emphasizing a collaborative atmosphere, we've created a welcoming space that encourages them to contribute confidently. Our approach demystifies the editing process, providing support and guidance, which is crucial for newcomers. This nurturing environment not only aids in retaining participants but also inspires them to delve into topics that reflect diverse perspectives, thereby enriching Wikipedia's content. Our large community of engaged women is a rarity in the Wikimedia Movement. Additionally, our targeted workshops and edit-a-thons on specific themes related to women and other underrepresented groups have acted as catalysts, ensuring a more inclusive and comprehensive representation of human knowledge.

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?

During this period, our learning priorities centered around several key questions, and here’s what we discovered:

  • Increasing Women Participation: Through targeted workshops and supportive edit-a-thons, we've empowered more women to contribute confidently to Wikipedia, acknowledging breaking down the barriers they face.
  • Visibility of Underrepresented Communities: By focusing on creating and improving content related to underrepresented communities, such as the LGBT+ and Romani groups, we've made strides in making their stories and contributions more visible.
  • Relationships Between Editors: Organizing mentorship programs and collaborative editing sessions has fostered healthier relationships between experienced editors and new contributors, enhancing the editing experience for everyone involved.
  • Dissemination of Achievements: Improvements in publicizing Wikiesfera's accomplishments through our website and social media channels have raised awareness of our impact and engaged a broader audience in our mission.
  • Economic Stability: Achieving economic stability independent of sporadic support has been challenging, highlighting the need for a sustainable funding model aligned with Wikiesfera's achievements and long-term objectives.

In summary, this period has been a learning journey, revealing the effectiveness of our strategies in increasing participation and visibility while highlighting the ongoing need for strategic planning towards economic sustainability.

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

During the implementation of our activities, we encountered several unexpected and surprising developments. First, we discovered that institutions are often willing to cover travel and meal costs for trainers, a realization that led us to understand such expenses do not need to be included in our budget. This insight significantly impacts our financial planning and allows us to allocate our resources more efficiently towards other aspects of our projects. Additionally, we found that offering a gift, such as a book, to all participants in our edit-a-thons serves as a powerful motivational tool. This approach ensures that our events maintain a non-competitive atmosphere, which not only enhances the overall environment but also helps participants manage their expectations more effectively. The absence of competition fosters a more supportive and collaborative space, encouraging greater participation and contribution, particularly from those who might feel intimidated by a competitive setting. Gifting books written by women also is very aligned with our knowledge dissemination purposes. These elements have contributed to the success and inclusivity of our activities, reinforcing our commitment to creating a welcoming and sustainable community for all participants.

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 plan to strategically use the learnings to refine and expand our future initiatives:

  • Strategic Mapping with Institutions: that cover travel costs, to maximize resources and partnership opportunities, allowing us to allocate our budget more effectively.
  • Focusing on Community-Interest Areas: We aim to deepen our impact and provide more meaningful engagement opportunities.

Incorporating Online Participation Dynamics: According our survey results, we will explore also online participation dynamics to increase participation.

  • Enhanced Communication Strategies: We are committed to keeping our community better informed and engaged, while also attracting a more diverse audience.
  • Expanding Collaboration Networks: We aspire to forge more collaborative networks with other gender-focused groups that share our feminist vision.

By focusing on strategic partnerships, community-interest areas, flexible participation formats, enhanced communication, and expanded collaboration networks, we aim to build on our successes and address the challenges head-on, fostering a welcoming and sustainable community for all participants. The effectiveness of creating a non-competitive, supportive atmosphere has also highlighted the importance of maintaining such an environment in all our activities. We will continue with the book gifts to be a staple in our future events, and we plan to explore additional forms of rewards that align with our mission of knowledge dissemination and community building.

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)?

Wikiesfera's work during this funding period highlighted the creation of a supportive women's community, countering the competitive atmosphere in similar spaces. Emphasizing mutual care, every member feels valued, fostering collective empowerment. This nurturing environment extends beyond Wikipedia contributions, emphasizing collaboration, kindness, and support as core values. This ethos, fostering a caring and cooperative space, underlines Wikiesfera's uniqueness, inspiring pride and demonstrating that united efforts can achieve more than individual actions.

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.

Part 3: Metrics edit

13a. Open and additional metrics data

Open Metrics
Open Metrics Description Target Results Comments Methodology
Número de editoras Llevando un registro pormenorizado de las personas asistentes a los eventos de Wikiesfera, tanto editatonas (15) como reuniones del grupo de trabajo (presenciales -40- y virtuales -20-). N/A 554 In 2023 we had 554 editors. 100% of those who participated in face-to-face/online meetings were women, and up to 94% of those who participated in our activities were women. 62 were new editors. This demonstrates the strength and stability of our community of female editors (worth noting in the Wikimedia Movement) and the interest generated by our activities outside of our community. Keeping a detailed record of the attendees at Wikiesfera events, including edit-a-thons (13)* as well as working group meetings (in-person -36- and online -18-).

[*In 2023, Wikiesfera planned to organize 15 edit-a-thons. However, due to receiving only half of our requested budget, we were constrained financially and managed to conduct only 13. This reduction in funding directly impacted our ability to fully execute our planned activities, demonstrating the challenges of operating with limited resources.]

Diversidad Organizando actividades con proyectos de comunidades minoritarias o invisibilidades para integrar a sus miembros. 5 2 This metric refers to diversity, not gender (which is inherent to all our activities), specifically organizing activities with projects from minority communities or marginalized groups to integrate their members. The drastic reduction in our budget made it challenging for us to reach an even more diverse audience, although we did manage to carry out some activities specifically aimed at these types of audiences (specifically, Roma women and LGBT people). Number of activities
Brechas de conocimiento Organizando maratones de edición con perspectiva de género. 15 13 In 2023, Wikiesfera planned to organize 15 edit-a-thons. However, due to receiving only half of our requested budget, we were constrained financially and managed to conduct only 13. This reduction in funding directly impacted our ability to fully execute our planned activities, demonstrating the challenges of operating with limited resources. Number of activities
Editoras jóvenes Incluyendo en el formulario de la convocatoria un campo de rango de edad y haciendo encuestas de satisfacción después de los eventos. N/A 1 By the end of 2023, we conducted a survey among participants of all editing marathon activities ( including those funded by WMF grant). We aimed to understand the age demographics of our editor community, incorporating an age range question in our registration forms and sending a satisfaction survey to participants. The results indicated our community predominantly consists of women aged between 35 and 55 years. This trend, confirmed by social media metrics, highlights our current challenge in engaging a younger audience, underscoring the need for strategies to diversify our community in the future. Registration form for activities, satisfaction survey, social media monitoring tools.
Divulgación Diseñando un plan de comunicación para la divulgación de actividades y logros de Wikiesfera. N/A 1 In 2023, Wikiesfera designed a communication plan to better publicize our activities and achievements. This plan focused on reorganizing our communication channels and professionalizing our social media presence. A key part of this reorganization was the launch of a monthly newsletter, which significantly improved the dissemination of our activities. The newsletter's high open rate of around 65%, far exceeding the average of 20%, indicated considerable interest within our community. This strategic communication approach aimed to enhance engagement and awareness of Wikiesfera's efforts. Communication plan.
Additional Metrics
Additional Metrics Description Target Results Comments Methodology
Number of editors that continue to participate/retained after activities N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Number of organizers that continue to participate/retained after activities N/A N/A 3 Regarding the retention of organizers who continue to participate after activities, all three individuals who organize activities for our group have continued their involvement without interruption. This consistency in leadership has contributed significantly to the continuity and stability of our initiatives, ensuring ongoing engagement and development of our projects. Personal contact.
Number of strategic partnerships that contribute to longer term growth, diversity and sustainability N/A N/A 3 Our strategic partnerships with public institutions like Medialab Matadero or Circo Price in Madrid and Laaab Gobierno de Aragón in Zaragoza have been instrumental in our long-term growth, diversity, and sustainability. These enduring relationships have enabled us to organize activities regularly, contributing significantly to our mission's reach and impact. Through these collaborations, we've established a stable foundation that supports our objectives, ensuring continued engagement and the development of initiatives that align with our goals. Personal contact.
Feedback from participants on effective strategies for attracting and retaining contributors N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Diversity of participants brought in by grantees N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Number of people reached through social media publications N/A N/A 2127 Through our social media presence on four different platforms: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, Wikiesfera has reached a total of 2,127 followers. This diverse social media footprint allows us to engage with a broad audience, disseminating information about our activities, achievements, and engaging with the community on multiple fronts. Dashboards for each social network
Number of activities developed N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Number of volunteer hours N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

13b. Additional core metrics data.

Core Metrics Summary
Core metrics Description Target Results Comments Methodology
Number of participants Personas que asisten a las reuniones presenciales (semanales) y virtuales (2 al mes). 400 382 Despite receiving only half of the requested grant, Wikiesfera has maintained an impressive level of activity since January 2023. We held weekly meetings at La Fabulosa bookstore in Madrid, engaging 247 people across 36 sessions, averaging seven attendees per session. Additionally, our adaptation to include the broader community through 18 virtual meetings (two per month) allowed participation from 135 individuals, also averaging seven attendees per session. This demonstrates our commitment to fostering community and knowledge sharing, efficiently utilizing limited resources to sustain our engagement levels. Internal document.
Number of editors Personas que asisten a las editatonas presenciales (10) y virtuales (5) 200 171 Despite budget cuts, Wikiesfera successfully organized 13 edit-a-thons in 2023, with 11 in-person and 2 virtual events, including 4 outside Madrid (Canarias, Málaga, Valencia, Murcia) and 7 in Madrid. Participation was strong, with 171 attendees, 94% women, and 62 new editors. The events featured 4 expert speakers and distributed 82 books as gifts. This demonstrates effective resource use, maintaining high participation and engagement levels, and expanding geographical reach, all while navigating financial constraints. Dashboard:

https://outreachdashboard.wmflabs.org/campaigns/wikiesfera__editatonas_2023/programs

Chrónicles:

Number of organizers Responsables de Wikiesfera que organizan las actividades (2) y la persona que las divulga (1) 3 2 Due to budget cuts, Wikiesfera's activities in 2023 were coordinated and executed by a single person, despite initial plans for two coordinators. Another individual managed promotions with significantly reduced funding. This situation underscores the team's adaptability and commitment to sustaining the program's reach and impact under financial constraints, highlighting the challenges of executing wide-ranging initiatives with limited resources.
Number of new content contributions per Wikimedia project
Wikimedia Project Description Target Results Comments Methodology
Wikipedia Artículos de creación desde cero o que se realizan mediante traducciones en Wikipedia en español 175 161 Through the edit-a-thons organized by Wikiesfera, 161 Wikipedia articles were published, including 54 new creations and 107 translations, on women in STEM, female creators, entrepreneurs, and thinkers, including those from underrepresented minorities such as the Romani community and LGBT individuals. This effort not only expanded Wikipedia's content but also diversified its representation of knowledge, emphasizing Wikiesfera's commitment to inclusivity and the broadening of the platform's scope to encompass a wider array of subjects and perspectives. Dashboard:

https://outreachdashboard.wmflabs.org/campaigns/wikiesfera__editatonas_2023/programs

Chrónicles:

Wikimedia Commons Fotos de mujeres biografiadas y fotos de monumentos/placas de mujeres biografiadas. 20 13 N/A https://outreachdashboard.wmflabs.org/campaigns/wikiesfera__editatonas_2023/programs
Wikidata Comprobación de ítems existentes (revisión de campos) y creación de ítems vinculados a los nuevos artículos. 175 26 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

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.

We've encountered difficulties with the dashboard not accurately capturing references added to articles and the inability to measure the quality of created articles. This makes the dashboard less helpful for us than manual data collection. We recommend exploring alternative or supplementary tools for data collection that can accurately track both quantitative and qualitative contributions. Additionally, developing clearer metrics for article quality and working closely with us to improve tracking functionalities could enhance the evaluation of contributions. Collaborating on tool enhancement or customization might also help.

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.

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 capacity has grown but it should be further developed
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 capacity has grown but it should be further developed
E. Strategic planning This capacity has grown but it should be further developed
F. Program design, implementation, and management This has grown over the last year, the capacity is high
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 capacity has grown but it should be further developed
J. Governance This capacity has grown but it should be further developed
K. Communications, marketing, and social media This capacity is low, and we should prioritise developing it
L. Staffing - hiring, monitoring, supporting in the areas needed for program implementation and sustainability This capacity is low, and we should prioritise developing it
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 has grown over the last year, the capacity is high
P. Communicating and sharing what we learn with our peers and other stakeholders This has grown over the last year, the capacity is high
Community building focused on women
N/A

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

Peer to peer learning with other community members in conferences/events, Peer to peer learning with other community members (but that is not continuous or structured), Using capacity building/training resources onlinee from sources OUTSIDE the Wikimedia Movement

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

Lack of staff time to participate in capacity building/training, Lack of financial resources, 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?

This year, Wikiesfera's organizational capacity has seen significant growth, especially in governance. We've clarified our vision to create a feminist community that addresses systemic biases. Our new Strategic and Organizational Plans set clear, achievable goals, guiding us towards focused growth. Decision-making is collaborative, with our Consejo de Sabias ensuring transparency and accountability. We're also developing governance policies, like our Friendly Space Policy, and continue to be in compliance with the Movement and Spanish laws. However, to further our impact, we require more resources than our current part-time support allows, highlighting the need for additional assistance and financial support for key activities and event participation.

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 Strongly agree
C. The partnerships we built with other institutions or groups helped to build out more content on underrepresented topics/groups Strongly agree

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

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 institutional support from the Wikimedia Foundation, Lack of staff to conduct outreach to new strategic partners, Lack of knowledge or capacities to reach out to strategic partners

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

In 2023, Wikiesfera built partnerships focusing on Wikipedia's gender gap and knowledge disparities, working closely with universities and cultural institutions. Key strategies were aligning goals, open communication, leveraging mutual benefits, and personal relationships. Several institutions were willing to cover logistical expenses, which was a good surprise. This interest in Wikipedia's educational potential drove our collaborations, enhancing our strategic approach and fostering a more inclusive platform. Each partnership offered lessons that informed our approach to future collaborations. Particularly, working with educational and cultural institutions underscored the importance of tailored educational materials and support to engage diverse audiences effectively.

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?

Women's involvement in the Wikimedia Movement remains minimal due to structural barriers and inadequate resource allocation. There is a constant feeling of being othered, of systems, arrangements and processes built without taking us and our experiences into account, from editing to basic safety. Despite the Movement's professed commitment to addressing the gender gap, financial support remains scarce and hard to access, leading to over-reliance on female volunteers who often experience burnout. Wikiesfera challenges the perception of Wikimedia projects as neutral, exposing systemic biases that perpetuate the exclusion of critical knowledge about women. Despite facing backlash when shedding light on these issues, the organization remains resilient, advocating for a supportive Movement that prioritizes collaboration, allocates resources effectively, and actively combats biases and toxic people to create a more inclusive environment for all participants.

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?

Somewhat increased

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

Being funded has made us feel seen. Our past work and efforts have been recognised as important and necessary in the Wikimedia ecosystem, and we have received for the first time an important grant to continue carrying out our activities and to continue developing our novel approach to community-building that centers women. It encourages us to continue in this path so our impact can grow. However, it has also made it clear to us that we don’t want to be unnecessarily resilient, nor do we want our community and the people in our affiliate to burn out. The need for full time staff has become even more clear, and the path towards professionalization is a necessary one for us in order to be an impactful organisation in a sustainable way.

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.

Having paid staff makes all the difference. Volunteers doing things in their spare time can only carry you so far, and this is even more true when we talk about women and their very reduced leisure time and their family obligations. If you want more women in the Movement, you have to invest in them.

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.

We are inspired by the feminist movement, advocating for gender equality on Wikipedia. We also focus on historical memory, documenting marginalized narratives, aligning with transitional justice movements. We’re also influenced by the LGBT+ rights movement, ensuring representation of LGBT+ stories on Wikipedia. Other influences include social justice and equity, and amplifying marginalized voices. Digital inclusion and open access principles guide us to make information accessible to all. We are also driven by the overarching principles of the human rights movement.

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 have actively shared the results and learnings from this particular grant with Wikimedia affiliates and community members in several meaningful ways. We regularly document our activities and participation in community events through detailed chronicles published on our web and disseminated via our social media platforms and newsletter. In 2023, we published in total 22 chronicles documenting our event, outcomes and results, of which 13 pertained to events funded by this grant. This ensures that both our immediate community and a wider audience are kept informed about our progress and achievements.

In addition to our online presence, we engage our community directly through regular face-to-face and virtual meetings. Face to face meetings happen every week, and virtual meetings twice per month. These gatherings serve as a platform for discussing our activities, outcomes, and lessons learned, fostering an open dialogue and exchange of ideas within our community.

Most notably, the final results of our report were formally shared during the Consejo de Sabias meeting on January 30th. The Consejo, equivalent to a Board, unanimously approved the results and the financial statement, endorsing the work we have accomplished under this grant. Furthermore, we have held additional meetings with the Consejo throughout the year to ensure ongoing communication and reflection on our strategies and impact.

We would love to be able to share more in new ways and targeting different audiences, and to prioritise Communications in a more professional manner. This is something the Wikimedia Movement has done very poorly up to date, and we believe there are many opportunities here.

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

We do this regularly (at least once a month)

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

Our organization primarily shares mutual learning through presentations and discussions at events, alongside our chronicles and social media engagement. Additionally, we publish reports on Meta and host comprehensive information on our website. Despite challenges like language barriers and financial constraints, we prioritize engagement with groups focused on addressing the gender gap, participating actively in various community events throughout 2023, such as Iberoconf, Wikimania, and Wikiwomen Camp. The best opportunities for us to share our experiences are in-person events, with virtual events a distant second. Being able to meet and discuss in person has no substitute, and has made us realise how critical it is for a group like ours to be able to be present in events.

Part 6: Financial reporting and compliance edit

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

44500

31. Local currency type

EUR

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://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Gku7c4XqiAUmmVOaVpNdlkgO85waVBCY/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=114482525502209336753&rtpof=true&sd=true

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.

In 2023, Wikiesfera faced significant adjustments in our budget due to receiving only half of the funding we initially requested. This reduction in financial support necessitated a thorough review and reallocation of our budgetary allocations to align with the available resources. Consequently, we had to strategically revise our original proposal's financial plan, focusing on the most impactful areas while ensuring the sustainability of our activities. These were discussed with the Program Officer. Despite the sacrifices required and the strain on our community, we kept to the approved budget.

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.

Receiving only half of our requested funding led to adjustments in our operational plan for 2023, impacting the scale and scope of our activities.The need to resort to unpaid volunteer work to compensate for the funding gap highlighted the precarious financial environment in which organizations, particularly those with a majority of women members, often operate. Moving into 2024, the situation has shown improvement. Although the funding received from WMF still does not meet our full request, and the cuts continue to be due to macro situations in the Movement and thus not related to our proposal, the amount allocated is significantly increased compared to the previous year, allowing us to approach our projects with greater stability. Moving forward, we advocate for sustainable support models to avoid volunteer exploitation and ensure that all grantee organizations have the resources needed to professionalize and effectively contribute to enhancing and diversifying Wikimedia projects.

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