TL;DR: The Learning and Evaluation team at Wikimedia Foundation has released the first Programs Reports for Wiki Loves Monuments [1] and Other Photo Events [2]. Learn more about how these programs deliver against the set goals and comment on what next steps should be! Join the event on Wed May 6 [3]

Hi all,

The Learning and Evaluation team at Wikimedia Foundation is happy to launch the first two Wikimedia programs reports 2015: Wiki Loves Monuments [1] and Other Photo Events [2]. As many of you know, the reports are the result of a collaborative effort that brings together program leaders across the movement and the L&E team, to better understand the impact Wikimedia programs have online and offline.

Highlights of the first reports include that media uploaded to Wikimedia Commons as part of the Wiki Loves Monuments and other photo events (from September 2013 to September 2014) represent 14% of the media uploaded to Commons and media uploaded are used in articles at five times the rate of other media uploaded during the same time period. Read the reports to understand how many new users are introduced to wiki projects through these programs, to learn about user retention, and to see how effective photo events are at expanding and improving content on Wikimedia projects. Unlike the beta reports, these new deliveries includes a new section: «How this info can apply to program planning», in the section «Key Findings», to help program leaders make the most of these reports.

In addition to these two reports, we've published an overview report on the state of program evaluation and reporting. Specifically, the section Evaluation Initiative [4] will give readers a snapshot on the state of learning and evaluation in the movement.

We have come a long way, and we want to thank everyone who has been involved in different parts of this initiative and especially those who shared data with us! We still have a lot of work to approach together. We need program leaders ideas and views to explore possible next steps. Some potential areas for further investigation of Other Photo Events and Wiki Loves Monuments are:

• Do different types of photo events attract different types of users?

• How can we apply the successes of low-cost, low-scale events to other contexts?

Join the conversation on the Talk Page of both reports. Additionally, we will host an event to present the reports and discuss them on Wednesday, May 6, at 1500 UTC. We have heard back from some program leaders that will not be able to make it, but as many of you know, it is hard to find a time that works across the movement. We are unable to move this virtual event, but it will be recorded and available for the public and commenting afterwards. Join the event here:

https://plus.google.com/events/cvc3orpmngdoac8019dvei1tcu8

Watch for the next Wikimedia Programs Reports, including:

• On-wiki Writing Contest

• GLAM Content donations

• Editathons

• Editing Workshops

• Wikipedia Education Program

• Conferences

• Hackathons

• Wikipedians in Residence

We look forward to your questions, comments and suggestions. See you on the Talk Page!