NOW CLOSED. Apply for funding to engage Australian audiences with one or more Wikimedia platforms and collections

24 October 2023.

Wikimedia Australia is looking to support Australian organisations to contribute to Wikimedia projects that contribute to our strategic priorities of equity, inclusion and capacity building. In this funding round we invite organisations or individuals that have the capacity and expertise to propose a project that will engage with one or more Wikimedia platforms including Wikipedia, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons or others. Organisations or participants with experience and expertise in Wikimedia projects are highly encouraged.

Funding: Funding for projects is available with up to $10,000 per project (minimum $5,000). Co-contributions as cash or in kind are welcome.

Deadline for Submissions: Monday 20 November 2023 23:59 in your timezone. NOW CLOSED.

Timeline: Project funding is expected to be confirmed by Dec 2023. Projects must be completed by May 2024.

Selection criteria: Projects should align with the 2022-2025 Wikimedia Strategic plan and in particular address one or more of our three priority areas identified under equity and inclusion.

Promote equity and inclusion across the Wikimedia platforms and programs in Australia:

• grow self-determined opportunities with First Nations peoples in Australia
• expand participation and representation across Australia’s regions
• improve demographic diversity to ensure a sustainable movement

Ways you could use this funding: This funding is flexible and we are open to new ideas. Popular approaches to promote and support engagement in current Wikimedia projects include:

• establishing an internship or Wikipedian-in-Residence (WiR) opportunity within your organisation/s
• promoting and facilitate training for communities or interest groups to contribute to Wikimedia platforms;
• developing new tools or data integrations with Wikidata and other projects.

Possible outcomes include: content from collections that relate to the priority areas, capacity building (training) of staff and/or volunteers, policy development, engagement and outreach relating to any or multiple Wikimedia platforms (Wikipedia, Wikidata, Commons, WikiSource, WikiVoyage etc.).

How it works:

• Define your project by working through the Best Practice Guide
• We encourage you to contact WMAU to discuss questions about your project.
• You can apply for multiple projects but an organisation may only receive one grant per round.
• Funding for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities projects must be led by or involve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• Fill in the EOI form and submit by the due date of 20 November. A preview of the questions on the EOI form is also available.

If shortlisted, you will be contacted to discuss your proposal. Projects are expected to be finalised by the end of May 2024. Funding will be transferred following a signed agreement. Projects should be underway by February 2024 and completed by May 2024. A final report will be required within 2 months of the end of the project. Reporting will be via a blog post, plus an online or in-person presentation.

Note

• All projects must comply with Wikimedia Foundation policies such as providing Safe Spaces for activities.
• Any content contributed to Wikimedia will be licensed under Wikimedia’s copyright policies for that platform - usually CC-BY-SA or Public domain.
• Content quality, citations and metadata need to meet the expectations of the relevant Wikimedia platform.

Further information about Wikimedia Australia

Wikimedia Australia is the Australian chapter of the international Wikimedia Foundation (WMF). As an independent, not-for-profit organisation and registered charity, we support our members, the broader community and partner organisations to contribute to Wikipedia, and other Wikimedia platforms through events, training and partnerships. See: Wikimedia Australia's Strategic Plan 2022-2025.

Contacts

Contact us at contact@wikimedia.org.au if you have further questions, or would like to discuss your project at all before applying.

FAQ’s

What is a Wikimedian in Residence?

• Information about being a Wikimedian in Residence.
• See also other examples of International Wikimedian Residencies here.

Why undertake a Wikimedia project in your organisation?

Wikipedia is one of the top 10 most popular websites in Australia. When you search something online Wikipedia is often one of the top results. By adding content from your organisation’s collection or area of expertise onto Wikipedia you are improving access to one of the world's most important sources of knowledge and information.

Wikipedia can drive traffic back to your collections and improve your visibility with an international audience.

See examples and read more about Wikimedia Australia’s Wikimedian-in-Residence program.