Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Conference Fund/Wiki Gulf Camp (WGC)
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Applicant details
edit- A. Are you applying as a(n)
Wikimedia Affiliate (chapter, thematic org., or user group)
- B. Full name of organization presenting the proposal.
Wikimedians of United Arab Emirates User Group
- F. Do you have an account on a Wikimedia project?
Yes
- F1. Please provide your main Wikimedia Username.
Serine Ben Brahim
- F2. Please provide the Usernames of people related to this proposal.
روتانا Duaa Khidir Iyhab1994 Reda Kerbouche
- G. Are you legally registered?
No
If you are applying as an individual or your group is not a legally registered nonprofit in your country, we require that you have a fiscal sponsor.
- I. Fiscal organization name.
Emirates Literature Foundation
Objectives and Strategy
edit- 1. Please state the title of your proposal.
Wiki Gulf Camp (WGC)
- 2.1. When will the event begin? Please enter the event start date.
2026-01-07
- 2.2. When is the last day of your event?
2026-01-11
- 3.1. When will you begin preparing for your event?
2025-04-07T00:00:00Z
- 3.2. When will you expect to complete your last event payment?
2026-02-28T00:00:00Z
- 4. In which country will the conference take place?
Regional (more than one country in the same continent or region)
- 4.1. In which city will the conference take place?
Dubai
- 5. Is it a remote or in-person event?
In-person event
- 5.1. What will be the total number of participants at the event? (including scholarship recipients + organizing team + other guests + self funded guests) (required)
112
- 6. Please indicate whether your work will be focused on one country (local), more than one or several countries in your region (regional) or has a cross-regional (global) scope.
Regional
- 6.1. If you have answered regional, please write the country names and any other information that is useful for understanding your proposal.
This event is a collaboration between Wikimedians of the UAE and Wikimedia Kuwait, expecting young participants from all across the Gulf region, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
- 7. If you would like, please share any websites or social media accounts that your group or organization has.
Wikimedia UAE: https://www.instagram.com/wikimedians_uae Wikimedia Kuwait: https://www.instagram.com/wikimediakuwait/
- 8. Do you work with any thematic or regional platforms such as WISCom, CEE, Iberocoop, etc.
No
- 8.1. Please describe what platforms and your work with them.
- 9. Please describe the target participants for this event.
Newcomers: This event is specifically designed to engage and support newcomers from the Gulf region who are interested in contributing to Wikimedia projects. Participants will be selected through a rigorous application process, where factors such as age, educational background, and demonstrated interest in writing and contributing in Arabic language will be considered. We aim to identify individuals with strong potential, particularly those with a solid foundation in writing and a passion for the Arabic language and self-motivation, as these skills are crucial for meaningful contributions.
Experienced Wikimedians: our trainers will be experienced members of the Arabic-speaking Wikimedia community. They will be selected based on their expertise in Wikipedia, Wikidata, and Wikimedia Commons, ensuring they are well-equipped to guide participants. These trainers will not only provide technical knowledge but also mentorship, fostering a deeper understanding of the Wikimedia ecosystem and encouraging active participation.
External partners: This event will also aim to establish collaborations with external partners, including educational institutions, universities, non-profit organizations, and other stakeholders across the Gulf region. These partnerships, supported by the WMF Partnerships team, will play a vital role in helping us reach our target audience effectively and fostering long-term relationships. By working together, we aspire to create a network of support that not only enhances the impact of this event but also lays the foundation for future collaborations and initiatives within the Wikimedia community. We aim to collaborate with the following entities:
University of Sharjah University of Effat University of Jeddah American University in Dubai American University in Kuwait University of Kuwait Dubai Public Libraries Jahzeen Foundation Emirates Literature Foundation Mohammed Bin Rashid Library Al Ghurair Foundation
Community members: We will select volunteers from the Gulf user groups to assist in organizing the event. The volunteers will be responsible for presenting sessions and coordinating the training alongside our expert trainers. Their involvement will help ensure the sessions are well-organized, engaging, and tailored to the needs of the participants, while also fostering a sense of community and collaboration within the region.
- 10. Please provide the link to the event's page if you already have one.
The following questions (11-14) will refer to the Community Engagement Survey which is required in order to submit a proposal. Here is the survey form that you can copy and use (if the link does not work): https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ieEI8EFf2vxjD9wN_h8-srYeRCp4fhSp7_1_wiR2jh8/edit. This survey is required to access a Conference grant.
- 11. How many people did you send the community engagement survey to?
40
- 11.1. When did you conduct the survey, and for how long?
We sent out the survey on the 1st of Feb and will end by 9th of Feb.
- 12. How many people responded to the survey?
0
- 13. What are the main objectives of the event?
-Engaging Newcomers: The event aims to introduce individuals from the Gulf region to the world of Wikimedia projects, including Wikipedia, Wikidata, and Wikimedia Commons. By targeting newcomers with little to no prior experience, we aim to bridge the gap between interested individuals and the broader Wikimedia community. This will involve guiding them through the basics of editing, contributing, and understanding Wikimedia’s mission, ensuring they feel confident and motivated to participate. Through this initiative, we hope to cultivate a new generation of contributors who are passionate about sharing knowledge.
- Collaboration with Partners: Establishing partnerships with educational institutions, universities, and non-profits to reach a broader audience and explore future collaborative opportunities.
- Empowering Volunteers: Involving volunteers from Gulf user groups in session delivery and training coordination to develop leadership and organizational skills within the community.
- 14. Based on survey responses, what are the most important things your community should do at the conference to achieve these objectives?
This conference trains participants to become active Wikimedia contributors, equipping them to engage their Gulf communities and organize programs. Activities include 5 hours of training, hands-on experience with Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons, and Wikisource, a preparatory course for participant selection, collaboration with experienced Arabic Wikimedians, and pre-camp activities by Wikimedia UAE and Kuwait.
Outputs: Trained participants, engaged Gulf community members, training program, documentation, and a network of connections.
Outcomes: Increased Wikimedia contributions from the Gulf, growth of local Wikimedia communities, enhanced Gulf-related content, empowered individuals with digital literacy and community engagement skills, and sustainable capacity building.
- 15. Please state if your proposal aims to work to bridge any of the identified CONTENT knowledge gaps (Knowledge Inequity)? Select up to THREE that most apply to your work.
Geography, Language, Cultural background, ethnicity, religion, racial
- 15.1. In a few sentences, explain how your work is specifically addressing this content gap (or Knowledge inequity) to ensure a greater representation of knowledge. (optional recommended).
This event is designed to bridge the gap for newcomers in the Gulf region by creating opportunities for connection and engagement. As newcomers often face challenges in integrating into a new environment, this initiative will help foster a sense of belonging and support. By bringing people together, we aim to build vibrant, inclusive communities that enable individuals to share experiences, exchange ideas, and form meaningful relationships. This gathering will also serve as a platform to identify common interests and collective goals, laying the foundation for stronger networks and collaborative efforts in the region.
- 16. Please state if your proposal includes any of these areas or THEMATIC focus. Select up to THREE that most apply to your work and explain the rationale for identifying these themes.
Education, Culture, heritage or GLAM
- 17. Will your work focus on involving participants from any underrepresented communities?
Geographic , Digital Access
- 18. Do you intend to invite or engage with non-Wikimedian individuals or organizations? If so – can you explain your intention for this outreach?
Certainly, this event will primarily focus on inviting non-Wikimedians and organizations, encouraging them to join our movement, become part of the Wikimedia community, and contribute to the expansion of our network.
- 19. What will you do to make sure participants continue to engage in your activities after the event?
We will assign students to user groups, organize them into teams, monitor their progress, and grant them memberships.
- 20. In what ways do you think your proposal most contributes to the Movement Strategy 2030 recommendations. Select a maximum of THREE options that most apply.
Ensure Equity in Decision-making, Invest in Skills and Leadership Development
Logistical Aspects
edit- 21. Do you have any proposed venue for the event?
We're considering several venues: Mohammed Bin Rashid Library (MBRL), Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Al Khoory Courtyard Hotel, Amity University, and Youth Hub - Emirates Towers. Logistical details (capacity, A/V, catering) and challenges (availability, cost, accessibility) will be assessed for each during the selection process.
- 22. Is the event venue and hotel accessible for people with physical disabilities?
Yes
- 23. How many scholarships would you like to offer?
We will offer:
40 scholarships for newcomers, 5 for trainers
8 for Gulf volunteers 5 for organizers outside UAE
Partial Scholarships: 40 newcomers from the UAE 5 organizers from UAE
- 24. What expenses will the scholarship cover?
Travel Expense Accommodation Lunch and Dinner Transportation
- 25. How will scholarship recipients be selected?
We will carefully select newcomers based on the following criteria to ensure alignment with the goals of our initiative:
Age: Participants should be between 18 and 35 years old, as this age range represents a dynamic group with the potential for long-term engagement and contributions.
Geography: Applicants must be citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, ensuring that our efforts are regionally focused and reflective of the unique cultural and social contexts of the Gulf.
Background: Candidates should demonstrate proficiency in reading and writing Arabic, as this is essential for contributing effectively to our projects. Additionally, they should have a genuine passion and motivation for writing and storytelling, which will help them excel in creating meaningful content and enriching the community.
- 26. In which ways can Wikimedia Foundation staff support your event onsite?
We will host an informative session dedicated to introducing the Wikimedia Foundation and its global impact. As part of this session, we will invite staff members from the Wikimedia Foundation to share their expertise and experiences. They will provide a comprehensive overview of the foundation’s mission, vision, and core projects, emphasizing its role in empowering individuals and communities to create and share knowledge freely.
The session will also focus on practical ways newcomers can get involved, such as contributing to Wikimedia projects, joining specific initiatives, or supporting the movement through advocacy and outreach. This interactive platform will allow participants to ask questions, gain clarity on their potential roles, and feel inspired to actively contribute to the Wikimedia community. By connecting newcomers directly with foundation staff, we aim to foster a deeper understanding of the movement and motivate participants to play an active role in its growth and success
- 26.2. Do you intend to invite any WMF staff members to your event? (please note that all WMF staff travel and accommodation costs will be covered by the foundation). Please indicate what is the limit number of WMF staff members you would like to welcome at your event.
Yes, we need at least 2 staff members from the Wikimedia Foundation.
- 27. Please outline the roles and responsibilities of the organizing team for the conference.
Duaa: Communication and Marketing Lead Marketing & PR (Media relations, press releases, social media) External Communications (Scholarship recipients, partners) Branding & Design (Marketing materials, event branding) On-site Communications (Announcements, information dissemination)
Iyhab: Logistics and Operations Lead
Responsibilities:
Venue Management (Liaison with venue ops, on-site logistics)
AV & Technical Support (Coordination with AV team, equipment setup)
Logistics Management (Materials, catering, transportation)
Rotana: Program and Community Lead: Responsibilities: Program Development & Management (Trainer liaison, agenda creation) Community Engagement (Internal Communication, volunteer management) Participant Management (Registrations, surveys, feedback collection) Trainers coordination (Meeting scheduling, minutes, action items)
Serine: Partnerships and Finance Lead Responsibilities: Sponsorship Acquisition (Stakeholder outreach, proposal development) Budget Management (Tracking expenses and reporting) Scholarship Management (Selection, communication, disbursement)
- 28. Do you have plans to co-organize the event with other Wikimedia communities, groups or affiliates?
Yes
- 28.1. If yes, can you please explain how you are going to co-organize the event and what responsibilities each partner will have.
We will co-organize with Wikimedia Kuwait and the roles and responsibilities are outlined in the previous question.
- 29. What kind of risks do you anticipate and how would you mitigate these?
- 30. Friendly space policy - Please add the link to the friendly space policy that your community will be using for this event.
https://foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/Policy:Universal_Code_of_Conduct
Learning, Sharing, and Evaluation
edit- 31. What do you hope to learn from your work organising this conference?
We hope to learn several key things from organizing this Wiki Gulf Summer Camp, framed as learning questions to guide our evaluation:
Newcomer Engagement: How effectively did the camp introduce newcomers to Wikimedia projects and motivate them to become active contributors? Data points: Number of new accounts created, contributions made by participants post-camp, survey feedback on confidence and motivation levels.
Training Effectiveness: Did the training sessions equip participants with the necessary skills to contribute meaningfully to Wikipedia, Wikidata, and Wikimedia Commons? Data points: Assessment of participant skills during the camp, tracking of contributions related to training topics after the camp, feedback from trainers and participants.
Community Building: Did the camp foster a sense of community and encourage collaboration among participants from different Gulf countries? Data points: Level of interaction and networking observed during the camp, formation of collaborative projects post-camp, survey feedback on sense of belonging and connection with other participants.
Partnership Impact: How effective were partnerships with educational institutions and other organizations in reaching target participants and creating opportunities for future collaboration? Data points: Number of participants reached through partnerships, feedback from partners on the value of the collaboration, development of new collaborative initiatives post-camp.
Volunteer Development: Did the involvement of Gulf user group volunteers in organizing and training provide them with valuable leadership and organizational skills? Data points: Feedback from volunteers on their experience, observation of their performance during the camp, involvement of volunteers in future Wikimedia activities.
Logistics and Operations: How efficiently and effectively were the logistical aspects of the camp managed? Data points: Feedback from participants and organizers on venue, catering, and other logistical arrangements, analysis of budget expenditures and resource utilization.
Impact on Content Gaps: Did the camp contribute to addressing content gaps related to the Gulf region on Wikimedia projects? Data points: Analysis of new content created by participants, focusing on representation of Gulf-related topics, languages, and perspectives.
- 32. Main open metrics
| Main Open Metrics | Description | Target |
|---|---|---|
| Wikipedia | How many Wikipedia articles created during the camp. | 400 |
| Wikidata | How many Wikidata items created during the camp. | 800 |
| Wikimedia Commons | How many photos uploaded to Wikimedia Commons. | 800 |
| Newcomers | Newcomers to the movement - participants who will be creating a user name during the camp | 60 |
| Active users | encourage participants who already have a wikimedia user account but was not contributing for a long time to become active. | 20 |
Financial Proposal
edit- 33. What is the amount you are requesting from Wikimedia Foundation? Please provide this amount in your local currency.
282387
- 34. Select your local currency.
AED
- Requested amount in USD
- 76882.68 USD [note 1]
- ↑ a b The following amount in US dollars was calculated by Wikimedia Foundation staff using the fixed currency rates. This amount is approximate and may not reflect the actual currency exchange rates on the day of submission or distribution. If the application is funded, the funding will be sent in the recipient’s local currency.
- 35. Please upload your budget for this proposal or indicate the link to it.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1u5LnDPBgC22SpRmecnAelPdt6wSyIc99Hzc7inLQ63o/edit?usp=sharing
- 36. Do you expect to receive funding for this conference from other organizations to support your work?
No
- 36.1. If yes, what kind of resources are you expecting to get?
- We/I have read the Application Privacy Statement, WMF Friendly Space Policy and Universal Code of Conduct.
Yes
- Please use this optional space to upload any documents that you feel are important for further understanding your proposal.
- Other public document(s):
Endorsements and Feedback
editPlease add endorsements and feedback to the grant discussion page only. Endorsements added here will be removed automatically.
Community members are invited to share meaningful feedback on the proposal and include reasons why they endorse the proposal. Consider the following:
- Stating why the proposal is important for the communities involved and why they think the strategies chosen will achieve the results that are expected.
- Highlighting any aspects they think are particularly well developed: for instance, the strategies and activities proposed, the levels of community engagement, outreach to underrepresented groups, addressing knowledge gaps, partnerships, the overall budget and learning and evaluation section of the proposal, etc.
- Highlighting if the proposal focuses on any interesting research, learning or innovation, etc. Also if it builds on learning from past proposals developed by the individual or organization, or other Wikimedia communities.
- Analyzing if the proposal is going to contribute in any way to important developments around specific Wikimedia projects or Movement Strategy.
- Analysing if the proposal is coherent in terms of the objectives, strategies, budget, and expected results (metrics).