Global Resource Distribution Committee/Creation of the interim GRDC/Candidates/Bharathesha Alasandemajalu

Bharathesha Alasandemajalu (Bharathesha Alasandemajalu)

Preferred name	Bharathesha Alasandemajalu
Language capabilities (native or professional / advanced / basic)	Tulu, Kannada, Arebhashe(Native) English, Hindi(Professional), Malayalam( Basic)
Region and country you identify with	South Asia , India
Interim GRDC seats you are running for and why (regional volunteer/thematic volunteer)	I am applying as a regional volunteer for the South Asia region. My extensive involvement in Wikimedia projects focused on the languages and culture of this region positions me well to contribute effectively. I have been actively contributing to Wikimedia since 2014 and played a key role in the establishment and growth of Tulu Wikipedia, Tulu Wiktionary, and the Karavali Wikimedians User Group.
Do you have any topic or area of specialization within the Wikimedia movement? (max 1000 characters)	I specialize in the promotion and development of underrepresented languages and cultures through Wikimedia projects. I was instrumental in launching Tulu Wikipedia and Tulu Wiktionary and am a founder executive member of the Karavali Wikimedians User Group. My focus lies in language preservation, community engagement, and ensuring that regional projects gain global visibility.
Have you ever held any role or position, either current or past, in the Wikimedia movement? (max 1000 characters)	I have held couple of roles and positions within the Wikimedia movement. I am a executive member of the Karavali Wikimedians User Group, where I actively contribute to promoting underrepresented languages and cultures. Additionally, I serve as a sysop for Tulu Wikipedia and Tulu Wiktionary, playing a key role in their development and community engagement. I engage monthly meeting of the community, started new WikiConnect monthly discussion hours. I have also served as an organizer and jury member for events such as Wiki Loves Folklore and the Wikimania Local Event. Beyond this, organized numerous edit-a-thons, photowalks, and workshops to foster community participation and skill development. As the report maker for our user group, I ensure that our activities are well-documented and aligned with Wikimedia’s objectives. These diverse roles have equipped me with valuable leadership, organizational, and communication skills that contribute meaningfully to the Wikimedia movement.
Why are you interested in the interim GRDC and what can you contribute? (max 1000 characters)	I am committed to the Wikimedia 2030 Movement Strategy, focusing on equity and inclusivity within the ecosystem. As a Wiki Summit 2024 participant and Movement Charter community ambassador, I understand the importance of transparent and effective resource distribution. I aim to contribute to a fair allocation process prioritizing impactful projects and underserved communities. My expertise as a banker and leadership roles in Wikimedia equip me to support this vision. With extensive financial governance experience, I have managed grants like Rapid Grant and General Support Grant projects. I have organized workshops, events, and educational programs advancing Wikimedia initiatives, particularly in preserving underrepresented languages and cultures. As an author and Karnataka Arebhashe Sahitya Academy member, I’ve contributed to regional linguistic and cultural preservation. I look forward to leveraging my skills to promote equitable resource distribution within the Wikimedia Movement..
Please share any volunteering or professional experience relevant for the interim GRDC (role, organization, years) (max 1000 characters)	As a banker, I bring a strong understanding of fund allocation, resource distribution, and evaluating outputs effectively. My professional experience allows me to assess resource utilization and ensure financial transparency. Additionally, as a recipient of two Wikimedia grants, including Rapid and General Support Grants, I have firsthand knowledge of the grant process and the challenges faced by beneficiaries. This experience gives me valuable insight into how the GRDC can improve its processes to better serve communities and projects.
Describe your skills and experience relevant to the interim GRDC (max 1500 characters)	In my role as a Project Manager for a Wikimedia grants, I successfully handled key responsibilities, including organizing events, coordinating teams, and managing resources. This required strong planning, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills to ensure that activities were completed on time and aligned with organizational goals. Additionally, my professional experience as a banker has provided me with expertise in budgeting, fund allocation, financial planning, and risk management. These skills allowed me to ensure efficient resource utilization and maintain accountability in all projects I managed. I also focused on fostering collaboration among team members and stakeholders to achieve impactful outcomes. My combined experience in banking and project management equips me to contribute meaningfully to the responsibilities of the interim GRDC.
Describe your understanding of the Wikimedia Movement's current resource distribution process. (max 1500 characters)	The Wikimedia Movement is changing how it distributes resources to make the process fairer and more inclusive. Previously, the Wikimedia Foundation managed grants directly, but now the process is being decentralized. The interim Global Resource Distribution Committee (GRDC) will run a two-year pilot to oversee funding, set rules, and collaborate with Regional Fund Committees (RFCs) to review grant applications. This change aims to create a transparent, community-focused system that prioritizes support for underrepresented communities, languages, and cultures, with a stronger focus on documentation and repository work rather than conference funding.
How do you think the GRDC could improve the current situation and which priorities do you think it should have? (max 1500 characters)	The GRDC can improve the current situation by fostering transparency and ensuring grants are awarded based on genuine effort, dedication, and fairness, free from favoritism or nepotism. It should prioritize breaking down language barriers and supporting underrepresented communities, languages, and cultures. Positive monitoring and oversight during projects, acting as a "watchdog," can help ensure funds are utilized effectively and align with project goals. The focus should shift toward funding initiatives that emphasize documentation and repository work, which provide lasting value, rather than prioritizing conference funding. Additionally, the GRDC should address local financial challenges, simplify fund accessibility, and collaborate with local governments to maximize the impact of Wikimedia Foundation funds.
By the end of the pilot in two years, what should the GRDC have accomplished and how should we measure its success? (max 1500 characters)	By the end of the two-year pilot, the GRDC should have established a transparent and equitable resource distribution system that prioritizes underrepresented communities, languages, and cultures. It should address local financial challenges, simplify fund access, and ensure real-life impacts through partnerships and effective monitoring. Success should focus on tangible outcomes like cultural preservation, increased participation, and meaningful community empowerment. The GRDC should also implement clear policies, transparent reporting, and accessible funding guidelines to improve equity and inclusivity. By fostering decentralized decision-making and greater participation from underrepresented groups, it would align resource distribution with the strategic goals of the Wikimedia movement.