WikiIndaba conference 2021/Scholarships


Wiki Indaba 2021 (05 - 07 November 2021) will be the 5th in a series of annual African conferences which provide a unique opportunity for the Wikimedia community in Africa and the diaspora to come together. Since its conception, the aim of WikiIndaba has been to build capacity for African Wikimedians, to foster the growth of the coverage and involvement of Africa in Wikimedia projects, and to connect African Wikimedians both within the continent and in the diaspora.

WIKI INDABA
2021
Program Attend Fringe Events Logistics
Contact
Documentation

Online Activations Conference Platform Guide

Ensuring the growth of the Wiki Indaba community requires upholding its diversity and representation both within  Africa and in the diaspora. This is achieved by involving a wide range of participation from the Africa regions with consideration of gender identities, and perspectives.

Transitioning Wiki Indaba online this year offers an unparalleled opportunity to expand representation but it also requires participants, speakers, and session organizers to have access to a quality internet connection to meaningfully and actively engage and contribute.

The Scholarship Connectivity fund

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For Wiki Indaba  2021, the first virtual edition of Wiki Indaba, we are launching a Scholarship Connectivity Fund to provide direct financial support to connect and engage.

Session organizers, speakers, and participants can apply for 3 levels of funding support ($50 USD, or $75, or  $100 USD), which they can use for:

  • Direct connecting: Purchasing internet data or contributing to the cost of internet access and use;
  • Support connecting: Travel to internet cafes to access computers and internet points;
  • Secure connecting: Purchasing privacy screens or VPNs;
  • Other support: Cost of childcare or other services that enable active participation.

How it works

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The Scholarship Connectivity Fund is application-based and, as always, we will make funding decisions with a focus on amplifying the participation of underrepresented communities in Africa. In recognition that there is no one-size-fits-all model for supporting participation and in an effort to support as many participants as possible, we’ll ask those applying to identify the areas of support they need and the level of funding they require. Selected recipients will receive an update and request further information to support the delivery of funds.

Beyond the Scholarship Connectivity Fund, we are taking a number of steps to ensure Wiki Indaba Online is accessible, including scheduling across time zones, providing lower bandwidth options for engagement, and uploading pre-recorded content that allows for flexible and asynchronous participation.

We recognize that our efforts to provide scholarship connectivity funds will not serve everyone. There are many both within  Africa and in the diaspora who live in areas where proper infrastructure is limited or nonexistent. These barriers are systemic and part of a larger reality that makes it nearly impossible for certain communities to fully participate in promoting open and free knowledge.

Apply Now
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Apply

Apply for the scholarship by October 07 at 11:59pm EAT. This is the first time a fund of this nature will be offered. We deem it necessary as we transition from the familiarity of in-person conferences of yesteryear to the possibilities we are about to explore at the virtual  Wiki Indaba 2021. We welcome your questions and feedback. You can reach out to our team by email at [[1]].

Scholarships Connectivity Fund/Criteria

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Scholarships applications will be evaluated based on 3 main criteria:

  1. Offline contributions.
  2. Online contributions.
  3. Value added by the applicant for previous Wiki Indaba participants.

Eligibility to apply

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Any active contributor (from Africa, Africans in the Diaspora, and non-Africans) to Wikimedia projects as a volunteer is eligible to apply for a scholarship connectivity fund. Individuals whose participation is tied to paid work are not eligible to apply for a scholarship fund, including paid or contract staff of any Wikimedia organization. Interns, part-time staff, and working students are not excluded from this rule except they can show proof of their contributions in their volunteer capacity.

Selection will be based on contributions within the Wikimedia movement while also maximizing the diversity of the conference as a whole, including gender, language, and representation of various communities. Contributions to other non-Wikimedia-related open movements and initiatives are a plus but not a requirement for selection. Scholarship applications submissions after the deadline (7th October 2021) will not be reviewed.

Selection process

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This process will be in 3 phases:

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Phase 1 - eligibility assessment: applicants must pass basic eligibility criteria before they move further into the scholarship fund process.

Phase 2 - scholarship grading system based on the 3 main areas listed above (online/on-wiki contribution such as edits on wikis, patches made into MediaWiki and related software, etc.; offline contributions such as event planning and organization, recruiting of new wikimedians etc.; value added by the applicant from previous Wiki Indabas and expected value-added after Wiki Indaba 2019). Priority will be given to Wikimedia affiliate members (e.g. board members of chapters and user groups.)

Phase 3 - Final review and approval of scholarships and connecting with other committees and WMF for further recommendations. After that, successful applicants will be informed via email and a list will be published on the Wiki Indaba Meta-Wiki page.

Selection criteria

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Phase 1 - Applications will fail Phase 1 if any of the following criteria apply;

If the applicant’s application is incomplete or didn’t address any vital questions in the application form or failed to make reasonable efforts to address the questions in the application form. If the applicant is an inactive contributor to Wikimedia projects or has failed to show any significant Wikimedia contributions or activities which may merit the awarding of a scholarship connectivity fund such as;

  1. Active contributor to a Wikimedia project (e.g. Wikipedia, Commons, MediaWiki, Wikidata, etc), with at least 300 contributions (global edit count)
  2. Active MediaWiki code contributor, gadget, or other tool-builder for Wikimedia projects.
  3. Involvement in some form of Wikimedia affiliate organization (chapter, thematic organization, or user group).
  4. For applicants who have attended previous Wiki Indaba, further contributions and post-conference impact (to the community) after their previous Wiki Indaba.
  5. On-wiki leadership roles, e.g. Wikimedia CheckUser, Admin, Bureaucrat, Steward, or OTRS volunteer (current or former).
  6. Wikimedia Researcher.
  7. Participant in a Wikimedia program (e.g. GLAM partnership or education program).
  8. Participant in Wikimedia organized events (e.g. photographer contributing to Wiki Loves Monuments (WLM), workshop attendee).
  9. Organizer of Wikimedia events (e.g. WLM, edit-a-thons).

Wikimedia Uganda LOC reserves the right to remove people due to their conduct on or off-wiki (phase 3) Applications for which no failing criteria apply will pass into Phase 2 for further evaluation. Impact after previous Wiki Indaba (2014, 2017, 2018, 2019) will be considered.

Phase 2 - In this phase, applicants will be evaluated in depth according to the points listed in phase 1, considering the three main areas/dimensions listed above. Based on this evaluation, the committee members will propose a list of applicants to enter phase 3. These criteria are put in place to get the most exceptional Wikimedians together to maximize the experiences, learnings, and skills to be brought back home to enrich their communities.

Selection criteria

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Phase 1 - Applications will fail Phase 1 if any of the following criteria apply;

If the applicant’s application is incomplete or didn’t address any vital questions in the application form or failed to make reasonable efforts to address the questions in the application form. If the applicant is an inactive contributor to Wikimedia projects or has failed to show any significant Wikimedia contributions or activities which may merit the awarding of a scholarship connectivity fund such as;

  1. Active contributor to a Wikimedia project (e.g. Wikipedia, Commons, MediaWiki, Wikidata, etc), with at least 300 contributions (global edit count)
  2. Active MediaWiki code contributor, gadget, or other tool-builder for Wikimedia projects.
  3. Involvement in some form of Wikimedia affiliate organization (chapter, thematic organization, or user group).
  4. For applicants who have attended previous Wiki Indaba, further contributions and post-conference impact (to the community) after their previous Wiki Indaba.
  5. On-wiki leadership roles, e.g. Wikimedia CheckUser, Admin, Bureaucrat, Steward, or OTRS volunteer (current or former).
  6. Wikimedia Researcher.
  7. Participant in a Wikimedia program (e.g. GLAM partnership or education program).
  8. Participant in Wikimedia organized events (e.g. photographer contributing to Wiki Loves Monuments (WLM), workshop attendee).
  9. Organizer of Wikimedia events (e.g. WLM, edit-a-thons).

Wikimedia Uganda LOC reserves the right to remove people due to their conduct on or off-wiki (phase 3) Applications for which no failing criteria apply will pass into Phase 2 for further evaluation. Impact after previous Wiki Indaba (2014, 2017, 2018, 2019) will be considered.

Phase 2 - In this phase, applicants will be evaluated in depth according to the points listed in phase 1, considering the three main areas/dimensions listed above. Based on this evaluation, the committee members will propose a list of applicants to enter phase 3. These criteria are put in place to get the most exceptional Wikimedians together to maximize the experiences, learnings, and skills to be brought back home to enrich their communities.

Sandra Aceng gives further explanations about the scholarship process during WikiAfrica Hour episode 6

Reporting

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Like other scholarships, Wiki Indaba scholars are asked to share something that results from their participation at the conference with the Wikimedia movement after the conference has ended. This brief report is typically due on January 10, 2022, after the end of the conference, and includes the following:

  1. Sessions attended: Which sessions did you attend?
  2. New Networks made: What are the new contacts and networks that you have made during Wiki Indaba?
  3. Learning pattern: What is one useful learning pattern you can share with the Wikimedia movement?
  4. Outcome (Plan for post-conference impact (to the community) after Wiki Indaba). What was one useful outcome of the event for the Wikimedia movement and African Wikimedians?

Ready to create your report? Use the input box below to name your page and click the button to get started.



Scholarship Recipients

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No Username Country Report
1 en:User:A.rahman252   Report
2 en:User:Abubakari Khadijah   Report
3 en:User:African Scientists   Report
4 en:User:AfricanLibrarian   Report
5 en:User:Akjose   Report
6 en:User:Alhaj Darajaati   Report
7 en:User:Alvinategyeka   Report
8 en:User:Amuzujoe   Report
9 en:User:Anasskoko   Report
10 en:User:Ange Dusabe   Report
11 en:User:Arsene+256   Report
12 en:User:BalukuBrian   Report
13 en:User:Beatrice_Kaseke   Report
14 en:User:Benjaminokeyoh1   Report
15 en:User:Bile_rene   Report
16 en:User:Bilijin   Report
17 en:User:Bintu utuje   Report
18 en:User:Bukky658   Report
19 en:User:CaliBen   Report
20 en:User:Ceslause   Report
21 en:User:Cnyirahabihirwe123   Report
22 en:User:Czeus25 Masele   Report
23 en:User:Dammy Kaka   Report
24 en:User:Danford Danford   Report
25 en:User:DaSupremo   Report
26 en:User:Din-nani1   Report
27 en:User:Dnshitobu   Report
28 en:User:Edriiic   Report
29 en:User:Em-mustapha   Report
30 en:User:Emmanuel Obiajulu   Report
31 en:User:Erasmus_Kamugisha   Report
32 en:User:FaithMwanyolo   Report
33 en:User:Germain92   Report
34 en:User:Gladys_Gibbs   Report
35 en:User:Gwanki   Report
36 en:User:Hussein_mmbaga   Report
37 en:User:Idd_ninga   Report
38 en:User:James_Moore200   Report
39 en:User:James_Rhoda   Report
40 en:User:Jemima2019   Report
41 en:User:Johnjoy12   Report
42 en:User:Joris_Darlington_Quarshie   Report
43 en:User:JosefAnthony   Report
44 en:User:josh   Report
45 en:User:Joy_Agyepong   Report
46 en:User:Justwiki   Report
47 en:User:Kaizenify   Report
48 en:User:kellyk55   Report
49 en:User:Kipala   Report
50 en:User:Kwameghana   Report
51 en:User:Linason_Blessing   Report
52 en:User:lneruba   Report
53 en:User:Lordgentual   Report
54 en:User:Major_Lyte   Report
55 en:User:marjory   Report
56 en:User:Martin_Hipangwa   Report
57 en:User:Melkyy   Report
58 en:User:Micheal_Kaluba   Report
59 en:User:Mohamed_mfuu   Report
60 en:User:Nambogo_Catharine   Report
61 en:User:NanaYawBotar   Report
62 en:User:Ngangaesther   Report
63 en:User:Ngostary2k   Report
64 en:User:Nimot123   Report
65 en:User:Nkatorogo   Report
66 en:User:Nsheila   Report
67 en:User:Ogboinba   Report
68 en:User:Oladipupo193   Report
69 en:User:Olaniyan_Olushola   Report
70 en:User:Olugold   Report
71 en:User:Omolarabasirat   Report
72 en:User:Omorodion1   Report
73 en:User:Owula_kpakpo   Report
74 en:User:Paulboht   Report
75 en:User:pine12k   Report
76 en:User:Princess_of_Ara   Report
77 en:User:Prithee_P   Report
78 en:User:Proyezu   Report
79 en:User:Ptinphusmia   Report
80 en:User:Ridzaina   Report
81 en:User:Ross.Patrick   Report
82 en:User:Rwebogora   Report
83 en:User:Sachoz   Report
84 en:User:SAgbley   Report
85 en:User:Selorm18   Report
86 en:User:Shahadusadik   Report
87 en:User:Shoodho   Report
88 en:User:Ssenkungu_Ivan   Report
89 en:User:Sunkanmi12   Report
90 en:User:SuperSwift   Report
91 en:User:T_Cells   Report
92 en:User:Timmylegend   Report
93 en:User:Titus_Smiles   Report
94 en:User:Tochiprecious   Report
95 en:User:Tukumeyo   Report
96 en:User:Uprising_Man   Report
97 en:User:VALENTIN_NVJ   Report
98 en:User:WINEUR   Report
99 en:User:xibitgh   Report
100 en:User:Zeemahgan   Report
101 en:User:Zend2020   Report
102 en:User:Jadnapac   Report