Grants talk:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Rapid Fund/Wiki Loves Bangla 2023 (ID: 22298128)

Funded

Hello RockyMasum, thanks for submitting this Rapid Fund request. We are excited about your plan to organize the Wiki Loves Bangla contest to preserve and celebrate Bengali heritage and culture. We are glad to inform you that we made a decision to fund your Rapid Fund request in the amount of 5692.68 CAD (4222.4 USD). We have one recommendation about the prizes. When possible, please avoid giving cash prizes and replace them with vouchers, gift cards or other incentives. Thanks again and good luck with the Wiki Loves Bangla! On behalf of the South Asia regional funds review team. DSaroyan (WMF) (talk) 12:57, 13 October 2023 (UTC)

Hi DSaroyan (WMF), thanks to you and the regional funds review team for the positive response! We understand your suggestion about avoiding cash prizes, and we completely agree. We're actively exploring other options instead of cash. Hope we can make the event awesome.--Rocky Masum (talk) 15:53, 16 October 2023 (UTC)

Budget Reallocation - Approved

Hello @DSaroyan (WMF): we had allocated $455 for arranging a pre-press conference. However, given the current political situation in Bangladesh, we are hesitant to proceed with the in person event. Consequently, we are considering redirecting the budget to fund prizes for an annual article contest that has been consistently organized since 2017. The latest report for the contest can be found here, and we are seeking advice on this matter.- Rocky Masum (talk) 17:23, 19 December 2023 (UTC)

Hi @JChen (WMF): Could you please help with the above request? We do not have much time on our hands. The contest will start at the beginning of next month, and we are very close to it.--Rocky Masum (talk) 16:23, 19 January 2024 (UTC)

Hello @RockyMasum,

Thank you for reaching out and really sorry to hear that you are not able to proceed with an in-person event. Hope everyone is safe and well.

The reallocation of USD 455 to the Amar Ekushey Article Contest that you hold annually is possible. A point of clarification, would you be applying for a separate rapid fund grant for that event or would the reallocation be sufficient? Thank you.

Regards,

Jacqueline JChen (WMF) (talk) 07:13, 23 January 2024 (UTC)

Thanks for confirming. The budget allocated solely for prizes is sufficient for this year. We plan to integrate the prize-giving ceremony with the Wiki Loves Bangla, eliminating the need for any additional costs for this purpose.-- Rocky Masum (talk) 16:23, 24 January 2024 (UTC)