Movement roles project/Thematic Organizations


Please help improve these draft parameters through edits or suggestions on the talk page.

  • Name: Wikimedia Thematic Organization
  • Mission: To support and promote the Wikimedia projects in general with regards to a specified thematic field or focus area. They aim to empower and engage people around the world to collect and develop educational content under a free license or in the public domain, and to disseminate it effectively and globally.
  • Territorial range: Variable; national, sub-national, across nations, global
  • Incorporation: Legally registered. Can be registered where they see fit if operating in more than one country.
  • Minimum rights:
  1. WM trademark use for most purposes within focus, including fundraising and publicity.
  2. Recognition as representatives of the movement within area of focus.
  3. A voice in the selection of two Foundation trustees every two years
  • Minimum duties:
  1. Active work
  2. Publishing an annual report as per Reporting Requirements
  3. Fulfilling movement-wide accountability standards
  4. Focus on our global mission
  5. Development of a sustainable, independent regional non-profit
  6. Within their focus area: support of community projects, fundraising coordination, grant and partnership development[1], oversight of PR and media; representing the Wikimedia movement and its interests at public events and in government discussions
  • Trademark use: For most purposes within thematic area of focus, including fundraising and publicity, via agreement with the WMF
  • Origin of funds: Multiple. Independent fundraising (outside Wikimedia); fundraising agreements with chapters (chapters could provide an option to mark donations for a them); WMF grants; chapter grants; member fees
  • Relationship with overlapping entities: Entities in a country are not in a hierarchy, but need to agree how to co-exist in a geography to streamline their communication and avoid duplicate work.
  • Board and membership: Elected board with individuals willing to publicly disclose identity, a majority of whom are wikimedians. Open membership.
  • Transparency and communication:Full info about organizers and supporters; see reporting requirements
  • Capacity to sign agreements with third parties: Yes, overseen by WMF if on global level
  • Recognition from: WMF Board of Trustees, with recommendations from the Affiliations Committee
  • Minimum requirements for recognition:
  1. Viability
    • A critical mass of active participants - at least 20 people
    • Members originating from the Wikimedia community (not all of them, but at least the majority), and accepted by the relevant thematic community
  2. Trustworthiness:
    • A non-profit, with a mission supporting all WMF projects (possibly as part of a general support for free knowledge or free culture as the stated aim) in all languages. (If there is a very good reason, an exception might be made).
    • A history of good work within the movement
  3. Openness (see Board and membership, above)
  • Recognition document: WMF Board resolution (interim), supplanted by an agreement with the WMF
  • Mentoring and support: Affiliations Committee until recognition
  • Change of status possible: Yes
  • Withdrawal of recognition: WMF Board of Trustees, if necessary
  • Examples: Amical, WM Esperanto
  • Other considerations:
Optional right: Eligibility for longer-term infrastructure grants; tied to size, capacity and activity.
Optional right: Receiving in-kind support to build capacity and develop skills; tied to activity and need.