Movement Strategy

Our future in the ecosystem of free knowledge

Wikipedia started in 2001 as an invitation to share the sum of all knowledge. Today, Wikimedia offers the world's largest encyclopedia and many more wiki projects such as Wikimedia Commons, Wikidata, and others.

Even with this success, Wikimedians encounter many challenges. The gender gap and the obstacles to participation for underrepresented groups persist. Our Movement's power, resources, and opportunities are not evenly distributed. Censorship, surveillance, and the increased commercialization of knowledge endanger Wikimedia's existence. Due to the advancement of technology and social trends, our work may become obsolete. Nevertheless, these challenges and the ever-changing world also offer opportunities.

Creating a strategy amongst diverse groups while working on all the regular Wikimedia activities was messy and complex. Eventually, the collective knowledge and perspectives were gathered to form a shared vision. The success of this process proves that the strength of Wikimedia is the talent, dedication, and integrity of its contributors.

What brings us together is not what we do; it is why we do it.

Understanding the Movement Strategy

Let's begin with our strategic direction:

By 2030, Wikimedia will become the essential infrastructure of the ecosystem of free knowledge, and anyone who shares our vision will be able to join us.
— The strategic direction: Knowledge Service and Equity

We believe in the power of listening, learning, and testing. It is only through open dialogue that we can create a world of free knowledge that works for all. The Movement Strategy helps everyone coordinate around a shared path forward. This process has to be radically open, participatory, and multilingual. We invite everyone to contribute to this strategy while sharing common principles.

The strategic direction unites and inspires the Wikimedia Movement on our way to 2030. Two goals guide this direction:

Knowledge as a Service – Become a platform that serves knowledge in many formats and builds tools for allies.
Knowledge Equity – Focus on the knowledge and communities that structures of power and privilege have left out.

These goals are inter-connected. One cannot be achieved without the other.

The strategic direction inspires ten recommendations about different areas of work. Each recommendation defines concrete initiatives. Each initiative may consist of many activities and projects.

The Movement Strategy recommendations are all connected and support each other. Like the goals, it is not possible to pursue them in isolation.

Join us

You are vital to the Movement Strategy's success. There are many ways to get involved:

Check the list of Movement Strategy projects; many are looking for volunteers.
Create or connect your project to Movement Strategy initiatives and apply for funds.
Visit the Movement Strategy Forum and introduce yourself in your language.
Promote the Movement Strategy in your community.

If you have other ideas, we would love to hear them. Let's talk.