2025:Program/How Ukraine’s “Wikipedia for 55+” program helps increase editor diversity
Session title: How Ukraine’s “Wikipedia for 55+” program helps increase editor diversity
- Session type: Lecture
- Track: Diversity & Inclusion
- Language: en
🎥 Session recording: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:WIKIMANIA_Day_3_Nyeri_-_How_Ukraine%27s_Wikipedia_for_55%2B_program_helps_increase_editor_diversity.webm 🎥
Since 2024, Wikimedia Ukraine has developed a program engaging seniors with Wikipedia. We launched offline courses in Poltava and partnered with a national charity in Kyiv to teach seniors Wikipedia editing through 5-6 lessons – from account creation to article development. Nearly 30 participants have graduated, with some becoming enthusiastic contributors beyond the curriculum.
Despite challenges including limited computer literacy and wartime logistics, students have shown remarkable dedication. This session will showcase how including seniors enhances editor diversity, present our program results, and share practical insights for communities interested in implementing similar initiatives.
Description
How does one transition from a Wikipedia reader to a Wikipedia contributor? Since 2024, Wikimedia Ukraine has been developing “Wikipedia for 55+”, a program for engaging senior citizens with Wikipedia, inspired by similar projects in the Czech Republic and other countries.
In late 2024 we supported a pilot offline course in Poltava, a city in central Ukraine. In early 2025 we partnered with “Let’s help”, a national charity dedicated to senior citizens that runs a University of the Third Age, to hold a series of offline courses in the capital city of Kyiv.
The courses consist of 5-6 offline lessons that guide participants on the journey from signing up on Wikipedia to creating their own article. So far close to 30 people graduated offline courses, and we have more instalments in plans.
We’ve been really inspired by our students’ curiosity and eagerness to learn. Some participants have gone on to become active Wikipedia contributors far outside the course’s curriculum. At the same time, we’ve had to overcome multiple challenges – from the students’ limited computer literacy to logistical challenges of organizing offline instruction in a country at war.
In this session, we’ll share our learnings with the international community.
Objectives of this session:
- Present how the engagement of senior citizens to Wikipedia helps inclusion and editor diversity
- Present Wikimedia Ukraine’s “Wikipedia for 55+” program and its key results
- Share learnings for other communities and affiliates who might be interested in organizing similar programs
- How does your session relate to the event theme, Wikimania@20 – Inclusivity. Impact. Sustainability?
Our “Wikipedia for 55+” program directly addresses inclusivity by engaging an often-overlooked demographic in knowledge creation. By welcoming seniors – many with rich expertise but limited digital experience – we're diversifying Wikipedia's contributor base beyond the typical demographic profile. The program breaks down both technological and psychological barriers, creating tailored pathways for older adults to participate in digital knowledge spaces. This cross-generational inclusion not only enriches Wikipedia with diverse perspectives but also combats digital exclusion experienced by many seniors, demonstrating that Wikipedia truly can be edited by everyone, regardless of age.
- What is the experience level needed for the audience for your session?
Everyone can participate in this session
Resources
Speakers
- Anton Protsiuk
- I've been a Wikipedia volunteer since 2012. In my volunteer capacity, I'm an administrator & bureaucrat on Ukrainian Wikipedia, typically devoting my time to admin and patrolling maintenance tasks, as well as to writing occasional articles on American politics and whatever fascinates me at the moment.
- I'm also Programs Coordinator at Wikimedia Ukraine. In this role, I lead a team of five staff members / contractors and oversee the organization’s programmatic work, such as content campaigns, diversity and editor recruitment initiatives, community events, and communications outreach.
- I'm also a member of the advisory group for the Wikimedia CEE Hub, which supports community growth and development in Central and Eastern Europe, and former member of the Hub's Steering Committee.
- Mariana Senkiv
- My name is Mariana Senkiv (User:MarianaSenkiv). I started editing in 2017, and I edit mostly the Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar editions of Wikipedia, Wikivoyage, Wikiquotes, and also Wikimedia Commons, Wikidata and other wikiprojects. An important part of my Wikimedia work is coaching and mentoring, and I conduct webinars and workshops for interested groups of people, including educators, librarians, and community activists. Since September 2024 I am on the Board of Wikimedia Ukraine, and one of the priority areas of my work is to involve underrepresented groups of users (women, youth, older people, people with disabilities, and others) in editing Wikipedia and wikiprojects. I am also actively involved in organising different editing campaigns. I am an associate professor at the Department of Tourism of the Lviv Polytechnic National University in Lviv, Ukraine, where I implement the Wikipedia educational program for students. Since 2025, I have been a member of the Wiki Women* Task Force.