Global Resource Distribution Committee/Creation of the interim GRDC/Candidates/NANöR
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| Preferred name | NANöR | |
|---|---|---|
| Language capabilities (native or professional / advanced / basic) | I speak 5 languages. Arabic: Native, Armenian: Native, English: Fluent, French: Professional Proficiency, Swedish: Professional Working Proficiency. | |
| Region and country you identify with | MENA/Syria | |
| Interim GRDC seats you are running for and why (regional volunteer/thematic volunteer) | Regional seat for the MENA region | |
| Do you have any topic or area of specialization within the Wikimedia movement? (max 1000 characters) | I focus on community building, knowledge equity, and sustainability in emerging Wikimedia communities by supporting newcomers through mentorship and individual sessions, reviving sister linguistic projects, and strengthening community engagement. I work on leadership development, individual capacity building, and addressing the gender gap by promoting women's participation in editorial and leadership roles. Ensuring community presence in decision-making spaces is a priority, as is leading strategic outreach to support volunteers in project development and grant access. I advocate for fair representation in governance structures, including the Movement Charter. My multilingual and cross-regional experience helps foster collaboration and amplify underrepresented voices across the movement. | |
| Have you ever held any role or position, either current or past, in the Wikimedia movement? (max 1000 characters) | I have held multiple roles in the Wikimedia movement. I am an admin on Arabic Wikisource. I served in the MENA & SSA regional fund committee for more than 3 years and since its inauguration. I was on the Wikimania 2022 Core Organizing Team and led the 2025 Wikisource Conference. I have been part of the SWAN and Movement Strategy working group, actively engaging in advocacy for the movement strategy and its initiatives. As a Wiki Women Advisory Council member, I work on increasing women's representation and involvement, especially as leaders. I have led projects like WikiGap and #SheSaid to bridge the gender gap. Additionally, I co founded and built Wikimedia Libya Community. I have organized and led various workshops, including for Arabic Wikipedia’s 18th anniversary, and contributed to movement-wide discussions on governance, grantmaking, and outreach. | |
| Why are you interested in the interim GRDC and what can you contribute? (max 1000 characters) | My experience in decision-making and grant review began with the Regional Funds Committee, where I witnessed and contributed to the evolution of review processes, including improvements in annual grant evaluations for user groups. This reinforced my belief in the importance of community participation in resource distribution. I have consistently emphasized in Meta discussions and meetings that regional committees are a successful model of inclusive decision-making. I understand that this role involves difficult decisions and have actively engaged in challenging discussions, remaining committed despite obstacles. My presence in the interim GRDC would contribute to equitable decision-making in a critical area that directly impacts individuals and communities. | |
| Please share any volunteering or professional experience relevant for the interim GRDC (role, organization, years) (max 1000 characters) | I have served on the MENA & SSA Regional Fund Committee for annual and community support funds for rapid grant, gaining firsthand experience in grant evaluation and community funding needs. As an administrator on Arabic Wikisource, I have contributed to preserving Arabic literary heritage and supporting underrepresented communities. I played a key role in leading workshops for the 18th anniversary of Arabic Wikipedia, fostering engagement and capacity building. Additionally, I have been instrumental in building and sustaining the Wikimedia Libya Community, focusing on long-term development. I served on the Wikimania 2022 Core Organizing Team and currently lead the 2024 Wikisource Conference + scholarship Committee, ensuring inclusive and impactful event planning. My work in global campaigns like WikiGap and #SheSaid has strengthened my understanding of equitable resource distribution and community needs, making me well-equipped to contribute to the interim GRDC. | |
| Describe your skills and experience relevant to the interim GRDC (max 1500 characters) | I am more than 6 years an active contributor to the Wikimedia movement, my skills and experience relevant to the interim GRDC are:
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| Describe your understanding of the Wikimedia Movement's current resource distribution process. (max 1500 characters) | The Wikimedia Movement's resource distribution process includes rapid grants, annual grants, and conference grants, supporting initiatives ranging from small local projects to large-scale events. Over time, funding mechanisms have evolved to include research grants and the Equity Fund, addressing specific community needs beyond traditional grantmaking. The introduction of multi-year funding has enhanced sustainability, allowing groups to plan long-term with greater stability. The Regional Funds Committee plays a crucial role in evaluating proposals, ensuring alignment with movement priorities and equitable resource allocation. A Global Resource Distribution Committee (GRDC) would complement their work by providing a broader strategic oversight, ensuring consistency across funding mechanisms, and addressing movement-wide challenges in resource distribution. These ongoing improvements reflect a commitment to inclusivity, transparency, and long-term community growth. | |
| How do you think the GRDC could improve the current situation and which priorities do you think it should have? (max 1500 characters) | The interim GRDC is an opportunity to refine and enhance the current resource distribution model by expanding regional representation. As movement hubs transition from Piloting to established entities, having their representatives in a global committee could strengthen equitable decision-making. The GRDC can build on the Regional Funds Committee model with improvements, ensuring continuous community consultation to incorporate feedback on needed changes. Engaging key stakeholders, including the Wikimedia Foundation and affiliates, will be essential to achieving sustainability. The GRDC should focus on equitable distribution of resources based on community needs, ensuring fair and transparent decision-making to achieve high satisfaction across all individuals. Additionally, it should implement data-driven decisions, prioritize building capacity in underrepresented communities, and offer flexible funding mechanisms that adapt to evolving needs. By providing clear communication and incorporating community feedback, the GRDC can help shape sustainable, long-term projects. Recommendations and best practices for building sustainable bridges with communities should be key goals of the committee to ensure its success.
The committee’s priorities should include ensuring fairness in resource allocation based on community and individual needs, maintaining transparency, and fostering a funding structure that maximizes satisfaction and impact across the movement. | |
| 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) | The interim GRDC will operate as a two-year pilot to test and refine resource distribution mechanisms within the movement. By the end of this phase, members will collectively decide on the program’s future, including its structure and objectives based on lessons learned.
The GRDC’s primary focus is to ensure that communities, especially those transitioning from annual to multi-year grants, receive the necessary resources. In coordination with the Regional Funds Committee, Affcom, and the Foundation, it will secure fair allocations aligned with strategic priorities. Success will be measured by:
Regular meetings will address challenges and opportunities, leading to concrete recommendations for more effective and sustainable resource allocation. By the end of the pilot, the GRDC should provide a clearer roadmap for improving resource distribution within the movement. The committee will work on sustainably planning by proposing a long-term funding model that ensures communities remain supported beyond the pilot phase. | |