2025:Program/Fund for impact: How to write successful Applications for Public Policy Advocacy in the general support fund

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Session title: Fund for impact: How to write successful Applications for Public Policy Advocacy in the general support fund

Session type: Workshop - 85 minutes

Track: Community Engagement

Language: en

🎥 Session Recording: https://w.wiki/FDhG 🎥

In this workshop, attendees will learn how to craft compelling applications for the public policy advocacy portion of the WMF General Support Fund. The session will cover examples of successful applications and a breakdown of why these were approved. Participants will then have a chance to workshop their own proposals while receiving support from representatives from both the Community Resources and Global Advocacy teams.

Description

This interactive workshop will guide attendees through the process of applying for Public Policy Advocacy grants within the General Support Fund. Participants will learn how to craft compelling applications, with a focus on aligning advocacy goals with Wikimedia’s policy priorities. The session will include real-world examples of successful applications and provide practical tips for navigating the application process effectively. Participants will have a chance to ask clarifying questions and work on their own proposals while receiving real-time support from the teams that process and review grant applications. Aim: To equip participants with the knowledge and tools needed to write clear, impactful grant applications for public policy initiatives.

Objectives: The workshop will provide a space for networking, idea exchange, and collaboration, encouraging attendees to refine their proposals with peer and facilitator feedback.

By the end of the session, participants will have a solid understanding of how to submit a competitive application, increasing the chances of securing funding for their advocacy projects.

How does your session relate to the event theme, Wikimania@20 – Inclusivity. Impact. Sustainability?

This workshop contributes to the event themes because funding is essential to drive more public policy work from the ground-up to protect and promote the sustainability of the free knowledge movement. Without funding, our advocacy can be limited and in some cases lead to having no impact. Without impact, our movement will exist in regulatory environments that cut down on civil society activity, freedom of expression, and open licenses.

The simple act of sharing knowledge freely online is radical in many contexts. The ability to do so can be threatened by weak or hostile policy environments. This is why the Foundation and broader community engage in policy advocacy work to positively influence the regulatory ecosystem so that it is one in which free knowledge can thrive, and why supporting advocacy is essential to the sustainability of our movement. Our advocacy efforts cannot be successful without the participation of Wikimedians around the world, because policy change is most successful when informed by those who are directly impacted and best understand their local context. Funding is a key ingredient to drive impact - whether to cover travel costs to policy discussions, organize trainings and collaborative efforts with policy makers, participation fees in conferences, or staff preparation time. This workshop will help drive inclusivity by ensuring that all Wikimedians, especially those in countries where fewer funding is available for policy advocacy and civil society groups, can access WMF funds.

What is the experience level needed for the audience for your session?

Some experience will be needed

Speakers

• fputz

Ziski Putz is the Senior Movement Advocacy Manager at the Wikimedia Foundation. In this role she helps Wikimedians shape public policy discussions so that our projects, people, and values remain supported in regulatory environments. At Wikimanias she has organized multiple day zero events, creating spaces for Wikimedians to connect on pressing policy issues. She also co-organizes main-conference sessions with movement partners that allow them to showcase their work to the rest of the movement. Her commitment to strengthening the movement’s advocacy network continues at other Wikimedia gatherings, including regional policy forums. Through her work, Ziski continues to bridge the gap between Wikimedia communities and global policy discussions, ensuring that the movement’s voice is heard where it matters most.

• vthamaini

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