Wikimania 2024

Gap years that challenges force the user groups to experience them. (A panel with cases and discussions)
08-08, 14:00–14:55 (Poland), Tbilisi (7)
Language: English

Not all user groups always succeed in sustaining their progression. And that may be because of inner or outer challenges that hinder the group activity. In this session I will try to collect many examples of UGs that experienced some years of lagging in activities because I have experienced mine and I know how it takes UG volunteers time and efforts to overcome all these challenges and activate again.


The wikimedia movement has many bodies in governance, one of these bodies is the user group which is a simple and flexible affiliate.
Currently, we have 146 usergroups which differ in their regions, areas of interest and off course activities. We do not always succeed in sustainability during all years of activity. More often, we find that the activity of the user groups differ from one year to another. This may be because of members capacity, time availability, internal restrictions and limitations. Internal restrictions and limitations affect the UG activity and may take much time to overcome. Egyptian Wikimedian UG is an example of a UG who suffered from these restrictions for a few years. Although they continue to volunteer, the way of their voluntary work and the type of activities changed a lot, especially their physical activity till they found solutions.
In this session, I will host a panel and invite colleagues from different UGs to join us on site, if they are attending the conference, or online and give them pre-prepared questions to speak about their experience in gap years in their UG to gather similar experiences so that we can analyse how we can be prepared for these challenges before coming.

The main points that will be covered:
Defining the UGs and how they are important for the building capacity of the Wikimedia movement
Introducing cases of UGs and challenges they have faced, internally and externally.
Suggesting projects that can be organised and methods that can be used despite lacking resources.
Defining the important items for sustainability of the UG so that they can overcome challenges that may trap them.

Session reccording: https://youtu.be/FtaTgx73oZo?t=16469


How does your session relate to the event themes: Collaboration of the Open?*

This session shed the light on ways that UGs may adapt to guarantee sustainability and progression despite obstacles, from those is doing partnerships and seeking help with the foundation’s committees who are allocated to facilitate such issues.

What is the experience level needed for the audience for your session?*

Everyone can participate in this session

How do you plan to deliver this session?*

Hybrid with some participants in Katowice and others dialing in remotely

What other themes or topics does your session fit into? Please choose from the list of tags below.

Collaboration, Affiliates, Capacity building, Storytelling

I am a board member of Egypt Wikimedians User Group and I am the connection and relations officer.
I am Movement Charter Ambassador to the MENA region and a former member of Leadership Development Working Group (LDWG) for one-year-commitment.
I have been an active contributor on Arabic Wikipedia, Wikidata and Wikimedia Commons since 2019.
I have led and organized numerous workshops and events and contests in the Egyptian community and the whole Arabic community.
I am the founder of Wikipedian Editor Project, a project that teaches volunteers to contribute on Wikipedia and the other sister projects.
I have been working for Wiki In Africa as a WIA facilitator since April 2024.

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Martin Hipangwa is a visionary founder of Wikimedia Community User Group Namibia. He is a librarian by profession and currently works as a research librarian. His interest lies in advocating equitable access to quality information, digital literacy, and incorporating Wikipedia in teaching and learning.

I am Ali (in Arabic: علي) from Iraq, Baghdad.
I have a B.S. in Information Engineering and work in the project management & development field.
I'm a Wikimedian since 2020 and belong to a Wikimedian family where my mother, brother and I are contributing to Wiki projects to enrich the free knowledge on the internet.

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