Global Resource Distribution Committee/Creation of the interim GRDC/Candidates/Iwuala Lucy

Iwuala Lucy (Iwuala Lucy)

Preferred name	Iwuala Lucy
Language capabilities (native or professional / advanced / basic)	English -Professional, Igbo - Native
Region and country you identify with	Sub-Saharan Africa/ Nigeria
Interim GRDC seats you are running for and why (regional volunteer/thematic volunteer)	Sub-Saharan Africa
Do you have any topic or area of specialization within the Wikimedia movement? (max 1000 characters)	I am a dedicated and experienced Wikimedian with a strong focus on promoting and preserving Indigenous languages, particularly the Igbo language and documenting African cultural heritage on Wikimedia projects. My area of specialization in the Wikimedia space aims to promote a more defined understanding of African cultures and challenge dominant narratives that often marginalize or erase African perspectives. I have been actively involved in various Wiki Loves initiatives, including Wiki Loves Africa, Wiki Loves Folklore, and Wiki Loves Earth, which aim to promote African culture and heritage on Wikimedia Commons. Furthermore, I have conducted several workshops and training sessions, empowering community members with the skills and knowledge needed to create and edit content on Wikipedia, thereby promoting the growth and development of Wikimedia communities in Africa, particularly in Nigeria.
Have you ever held any role or position, either current or past, in the Wikimedia movement? (max 1000 characters)	Yes, I have held roles within the Wikimedia movement, including being a Core Organising team member for Wiki Loves Monuments since 2022, playing a key role in organising & promoting the annual photography contest, leveraging my expertise to increase participation and engagement from the African communities. As a Regional Grant Committee Member for Sub-Saharan Africa, I have been instrumental in reviewing and recommending grants to support Wikimedia-related projects & initiatives across the region, fostering growth and development of Wikimedia communities. Serve as a member of the Communication Committee of the WMF, contributing to the development of communication strategies & initiatives that promote Wikimedia's mission and values globally. As a core team member of the Afrika Baraza Working Group, I have worked collaboratively to promote & support Wikimedia initiatives across Africa, facilitating sessions & spotlighting African Wikimedia communities and members.
Why are you interested in the interim GRDC and what can you contribute? (max 1000 characters)	My interest to join the interim GRDC role is one that stems from my passion for fostering inclusive and equitable grantmaking processes that empower underrepresented communities. With my experience as a Regional Grant Committee Member for Sub-Saharan Africa, I can contribute my expertise in reviewing and recommending grants, as well as my understanding of the complexities and nuances of grantmaking in diverse cultural contexts. Additionally, my involvement in the Afrika Baraza Working Group has provided me with a unique opportunity to engage with not only just the Wikimedia community in my country but also across Africa, gaining a deeper understanding of the diverse needs and challenges faced by African Wikimedia communities and their leaders. This experience has equipped me with valuable insights and perspectives that I can bring to the interim GRDC, helping to ensure that grantmaking processes are responsive to the needs of African communities.
Please share any volunteering or professional experience relevant for the interim GRDC (role, organization, years) (max 1000 characters)	I have experience in grant writing, community engagement, and leadership development. These, I believe make me an ideal candidate for the interim GRDC for SSA region. As a Regional Grant Committee Member for SSA, I've gained valuable experience in reviewing and recommending grants. Additionally, my experience in community engagement and leadership development within African Wikimedia communities as a core team member of the Afrika Baraza Working Group has equipped me with strong relationship-building and facilitation skills. I served as a Grant Reviewer (twice) for the Wikimedia User Group Nigeria Micro Support Grant, where I reviewed and evaluated grant proposals, providing consolidated feedback and recommendations to grantees.
Describe your skills and experience relevant to the interim GRDC (max 1500 characters)	I believe I bring a unique combination of skills and experience to the interim GRDC, with my strong background in grantmaking, community engagement, and leadership development. As a Regional Grant Committee Member for Sub-Saharan Africa and a former Grant Reviewer for the Wikimedia User Group Nigeria Micro Grant Support, I have developed expertise in reviewing and recommending grants, as well as providing guidance and support to applicants. My experience as a Core Organising team member for Wiki Loves Monuments has also honed my project management, community outreach (globally), and engagement skills. Furthermore, my involvement in the Afrika Baraza Working Group has given me a deep understanding of the needs and challenges faced by African Wikimedia communities, making me well-suited to support and empower underrepresented groups through the interim GRDC.
Describe your understanding of the Wikimedia Movement's current resource distribution process. (max 1500 characters)	Having read through the proposed contents of the GRDC, I have a clear understanding of the Wikimedia Movement's current resource distribution process, which my being part of the Regional Grant Committee Member for Sub-Saharan Africa helped gave me more clarity. I recognize the complexities and challenges inherent in allocating resources to diverse communities, and I am familiar with the existing grant decision making processes and structures. I also understands the need for more equitable and inclusive resource distribution, particularly in supporting underrepresented communities, and I look forward to a committed opportunity to help address some of these issues.
How do you think the GRDC could improve the current situation and which priorities do you think it should have? (max 1500 characters)	I think that the GRDC can improve the current situation by fostering more inclusive and equitable grant decision making processes that empower underrepresented communities. To achieve this, I suggest that the GRDC should prioritize grantmaking processes that are responsive to the needs of diverse communities, particularly in Africa. This involves understanding the complexities of grant in diverse cultural contexts and providing guidance and support to applicants. Additionally, to also emphasize the importance of addressing the needs and challenges faced by African Wikimedia communities, which can be achieved through community engagement and leadership development initiatives. By focusing on these priorities, the GRDC can promote growth and development of Wikimedia communities in Africa and ensure that grantmaking processes are equitable and inclusive across other regions.
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)	I think that by the end of the 2-year pilot, the GRDC should have established a robust and inclusive grant decision making process, supported high-quality grants, built a diverse community of reviewers, and developed a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework. Success should be measured through indicators such as the number of grants awarded to diverse communities, grant satisfaction rates, quality and impact of funded projects, diversity and engagement of the reviewer community, and effectiveness of the monitoring and evaluation framework.