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2025:Program/From Vision to Impact: The Strategy Behind the Million Wiki Project

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Session title: From Vision to Impact: The Strategy Behind the Million Wiki Project

Session type: Panel
Track: Partnerships
Language: en

đŸŽ„ Session recording: https://w.wiki/FFdV đŸŽ„

Discover how the Million Wiki project aims to drive 1M multilingual contributions in 3 years through strategic collaboration and inclusive impact.

Description

This panel discussion spotlights the groundbreaking "Million Wiki" project as a model for driving strategic collaboration and global impact within the Wikimedia ecosystem. Initiated by the Emirates Literature Foundation, this ambitious initiative aims to add 1 million contributions across six Wikimedia projects in the six UN languages within three years. How will this goal be achieved? What challenges lie ahead? Join us to uncover the answers and explore the project's innovative roadmap for success. With support from the Wikimedia UAE User Group, the Million Wiki project exemplifies a collaborative framework that aligns with Wikimedia’s core values of inclusivity, sustainability, and accessibility. Panelists, including project leaders and committee members, will delve into the project’s design—its strategic focus, criteria for participant selection, and plans for scaling contributions. The discussion will also address the complex challenges of fostering multilingual content creation at scale, tackling global grant-making inequities, and understanding how this project complements traditional Wikimedia funding mechanisms. Gain insights into how this initiative is paving the way for a more diverse, multilingual Wikimedia movement while embracing the intricacies of achieving a monumental goal. Whether you’re curious about scaling contributions, fostering strategic partnerships, or addressing global knowledge gaps, this session offers valuable lessons and inspiration for making a lasting impact.

Aim: To explore the strategic design, impact, and future potential of the Million Wiki project, highlighting its role in fostering multilingual content creation, addressing global knowledge gaps, achieving 1 million contributions across six Wikimedia projects in three years, and encouraging participants to engage by submitting grant proposals for their initiatives.

Session Objectives: 1. Showcase the Million Wiki Vision

  • Highlight the project's ambitious goal of adding 1 million contributions across six Wikimedia projects in the six UN languages within three years.
  • Explore the origins of the project and the strategic partnership between the Emirates Literature Foundation and the Wikimedia UAE User Group.

2. Analyze Project Design and Strategy

  • Discuss the rationale behind the project’s focus areas, participant selection criteria, and collaborative framework.
  • Provide insights into the methodologies for scaling multilingual content creation and engaging diverse contributors.

3. Promote Grant Opportunities

  • Inform attendees that the grant application process is open and encourage them to submit proposals to support their own initiatives.
  • Share practical guidance on how to apply for grants and how this process ties into the Million Wiki project’s objectives.

4. Explore Collaborative Impact

  • Discuss how this initiative complements traditional Wikimedia funding mechanisms to expand global knowledge.
How does your session relate to the event theme, Wikimania@20 – Inclusivity. Impact. Sustainability?

This session on the "Million Wiki" project provides a concrete example of how strategic collaboration can drive inclusivity by focusing on language diversity and equitable opportunities, generate significant impact through large-scale content creation and knowledge expansion, and contribute to the long-term sustainability of the Wikimedia movement by fostering partnerships and empowering future initiatives. The session directly aligns with the core themes of Wikimania@20 by showcasing a project that embodies these principles in its design and execution. In details: 1. Inclusivity:

  • Language Diversity: The core focus of the "Million Wiki" project on the six UN languages directly addresses linguistic inclusivity. By aiming to add significant content in these languages across Wikimedia projects, the initiative actively works to bridge knowledge gaps and make information accessible to a wider, more diverse global audience.
  • Global Participation: The project's design and grant opportunities encourage participation from diverse communities and contributors worldwide, fostering a more inclusive contributor base.
  • Addressing Grant-Making Inequities: By examining and addressing global grant-making inequities, the session implicitly promotes a more inclusive system where resources can reach a broader range of initiatives and communities.

2. Impact:

  • Scaling Contributions: The ambitious goal of adding 1 million contributions within three years signifies a significant and measurable impact on the quantity and breadth of knowledge available on Wikimedia projects.
  • Expanding Global Knowledge: By focusing on the UN languages, the project aims to have a substantial impact on making information available to a larger segment of the world's population.
  • Driving Strategic Collaboration: The session itself showcases the impactful collaboration between the Emirates Literature Foundation and the Wikimedia UAE User Group, serving as a model for future strategic partnerships within the movement.
  • Inspiring Action: By highlighting the project's innovative roadmap and promoting grant opportunities, the session aims to inspire attendees to initiate their own impactful projects and contribute to the Wikimedia ecosystem.

2. Sustainability:

  • Supporting a Multilingual Movement: By fostering multilingual content creation, the project contributes to the long-term sustainability of the Wikimedia movement, making it more relevant and accessible to a global audience.
  • Developing Collaborative Frameworks: The session explores a collaborative framework that can be a sustainable model for future large-scale content initiatives within Wikimedia.
  • Complementing Existing Mechanisms: By understanding how the "Million Wiki" project complements traditional Wikimedia funding, the session contributes to a more robust and sustainable funding ecosystem for the movement.
  • Empowering Future Initiatives: By sharing lessons learned and encouraging grant applications, the project aims to empower future initiatives, ensuring the continued growth and sustainability of Wikimedia projects.
What is the experience level needed for the audience for your session?

Average knowledge about Wikimedia projects or activities

Resources

Speakers

  • Reda Kerbush
Reda Kerbush is an active member of the Wikimedia community, known for his leadership in multilingual and regional Wikimedia initiatives. He has been involved with several user groups, including Algeria UG Wikimedians of Tamazight, and the UAE User Group. Reda contributed to the Wikimedia Movement Charter Drafting Committee and is passionate about knowledge equity, language diversity, and visual documentation—especially through his photography on Wikimedia Commons. His work spans across organizing impactful projects like the Million Wiki Project and promoting global participation in the free knowledge movement.
  • aliharith
User: Alli Khalil, Wikimedian from Iraq, Active in organizing wiki activities in my country and whole MENA region.
  • mervat salam
Mervat, an active wikipedian since 2012, a Wikipedian in Residence at WIPO since 2024.
  • adelneh
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