Wikimedia CEE Hub/Microgrants/report/HERitage Follow-Up Event in the Buffer Zone

Status:    Approved report
HERitage Follow-Up Event in the Buffer Zone
By: SofiaCh

The HERitage Follow-Up Event in the Buffer Zone successfully expanded upon the objectives of our previous initiative. Featuring impactful activities such as a Wikipedia Marathon edit-a-thon, dynamic discussions, and collaborative editing session, we continued our mission to amplify the voices of Cypriot women on Wikipedia. Despite challenges such as weather conditions that were not conducive, particularly due to high temperatures, which affected attendance and subsequently led to minimal growth in article creation, the event cultivated a supportive community where participants exchanged experiences and insights, enriching the representation of Cypriot cultural heritage online. Particularly effective was the collaborative editing session, which facilitated real-time contributions and knowledge exchange. Overall, the event reinforced our commitment to promoting diversity and overcoming gender bias within the Wikimedia community.

full report...
  • 9:30 - 9:45: Welcome by Anna Prodromou, Wikimedia Community User Group Cyprus Leader
  • 9:45 - 10:00: Introduction to Wikipedia principles by ZahHera
  • 10:00 - 10:30: Open discussion moderated by Anna Prodromou
  • 10:30 - 11:00: Presentation on creating new accounts, editing articles, etc. by ToparkM
  • 11:00 - 11:15: Coffee Break
  • 11:15 - 13:00: Collaborative edit-a-thon
  • 13:00 - 13:30: Lunch Break
  • 13:30 - 15:00: Collaborative edit-a-thon and Wrap Up

The event commenced with participant introductions and a welcoming session. Following this, ZahHera delivered a presentation introducing attendees to Wikimedia and its principles, after which Anna Prodromou led an open discussion. Subsequently, ToparkM facilitated activities where new users created accounts and learned to edit articles using the dashboard. Participants also utilized the sandbox to address potential issues before publishing, enabling preliminary work that may not be immediately visible. Additionally, a Telegram group was created to facilitate ongoing collaboration and idea exchange among participants. This group discussed future projects with enthusiasm, such as organizing photographic sessions and meet-ups for both sides of the border. These activities facilitated real-time contributions and immediate feedback, aiming to enhance the inclusive representation of Cypriot cultural heritage online. Overall, the event successfully promoted diversity within the Wikimedia community and contributed to mitigating gender bias.

Main Outcomes

Main outcomes can be depicted in the Heritage Amplified – Reload Dashboard

  • 10 participants, including the 2 organizers
  • 2 Articles Created
  • 6 Articles Edited
  • 15 Total Edits
  • 40 Commons Uploads
Additional part of the report (Lessons learned)
Lessons learned

During the project implementation, we learned valuable lessons that contributed to our growth and effectiveness. One of the challenges we encountered was the impact of external factors, such as unexpected weather conditions, which influenced participant turnout and productivity. Despite this, we adapted by fostering a resilient community spirit that focused on collaboration and shared learning experiences.

Another lesson learned was the importance of clear communication and preparation. Effective planning and communication beforehand helped mitigate potential issues during the event, ensuring smoother coordination and engagement among participants. These experiences underscored the significance of flexibility and proactive problem-solving in organising successful community initiatives.

Overall, everything went well, with the planned activities being successfully executed.

Financial report
Financial report for your project
Type of expense Description Amount (EUR)
Venue Rental (Buffer Zone) UNFICYP (United Nations Peacekeeping Force) provided the hall in the buffer zone for free 0.00
Catering Snacks and Refreshments 305.00
Printing and Promotional Materials Stationery 57.47
TOTAL 362.47
Achieved metrics

Main results in the following table:

Achieved Metrics
Metric Target Result Comments
Number of participants 10 10 We had total 10 participants, 3 of those were new. Additionally, during the event were present two organisers.
Wikipedia articles 20 8 We managed to have 2 new articles and 6 edited.
Wikimedia Commons images 50 40