Hi Maria,

Thanks for linking again to this data-oriented report. I think it would be very interesting to focus this training on best practices, what works and what not - given the vast variety of cultures.

I also hope to go beyond the focus of grants, but it might be a starting point for some of the information to prepare.

 

Going back to the original question, at this point I think the primary questions lie around whether and how such a training can be set up - I think for example that the additional angles from the new countries could proof valuable. 

Best,

Lodewijk

On Fri, Nov 7, 2014 at 4:00 PM, Maria Cruz <mcruz@wikimedia.org> wrote:

(Sorry for the previous email, accidentally clicked sent.)

Hi Lodewijk,

This initiative is very interesting. At the Learning and Evaluation team we always look forward to capture the learning processes that take place within the movement, and share that knowledge as much as possible. I want to offer support in this initiative to anyone who joins this effort: do reach out and tell me how we can best help you. I have now added the project on Commons to my watchlist and will follow up with news there. 

At this point, I also wanted to share in this thread the information we already have about WLM, which includes key lessons learned. The Evaluation Report (beta) [1] was the first outlet produced by our team about the most common Wikimedia programs. You can see the specific report for WLM here: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Evaluation/Evaluation_reports/2013/WLM

This report was possible thanks to the I Round of Data Collection, a period in which program leaders all over the world can join voluntary program reporting and submit their data on Wikimedia programs. Right now, we are going through II Round of Data Collection [2], and obviously, we are looking for data! Anyone can submit their data on WLM 2013 and WLM 2014. Questions or comments can be directed to me. With this second round, we want to improve the first report, expand it and make it better. Hopefully, it will also help inform the training you are looking forward to have. 

Why are we looking for program data? It helps us understand how programs work, how much effort they take, and what results they bring to the movement at large. Most importantly, it gives us leads on potential for further development of programs, ways to innovate, try things that haven't been done before. 

As always, I am here to help. Reach out with questions and comments!

Thanks, 

María Cruz  \\  Community Coordinator, PE&D Team \\ Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.               

mcruz@wikimedia.org  |  :  @marianarra_

Links:

[1] Evaluation Report (beta):

https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Evaluation/Evaluation_reports/2013

[2] II Round of Data Collection:

https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Evaluation/News/Round_II_Announcement  

On Fri, Nov 7, 2014 at 9:08 AM, Zana Strkovska <777.zana@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi Lodewijk,

I signed myself as willing to help, and I wrote a note in "Target group". I have more idea on how to help, but wanted to see how this initial idea will be accepted from the others.

Username: Violetova

Regards,
Zana

2014-11-06 23:20 GMT+01:00 Lodewijk <lodewijk@effeietsanders.org>:

Hi all,

This is a quite early stage idea, so please don't shout me down for not having specifics yet :) 

Looking back at the past few years of Wiki Loves Monuments, Wiki Loves Earth and now also Wiki Loves Africa (all built upon the same philosophy), it stroke me that there is so much being learned in different countries, but that we are not always effectively sharing that among ourselves. Even if we share, it doesn't seem that the best practices make it actually to the implementation - I think there's room for improvement here, and that this could increase the outcomes (in many different ways) and reduce the costs (especially in volunteer organizing time). 

In the first year that we organized the competition on a global scale, we had a very effective meeting (May 2011) with a bunch of people from countries that indicated they wanted to organize WLM later that year. Although much was to be improved, it helped to build an effective network of people helping each other to organize effective competitions - sharing skills, tools and inspiration. The discussions there were in my opinion a major component in the success of the competitions in 2011 and 2012 (in 2012 we also had a shorter meeting in Amsterdam).

At the same time we have seen the many challenges to get together an effective international team. While I want to applaud the wonderful work done by volunteers nationally and internationally, I had the impression that both at Wiki Loves Earth and later at Wiki Loves Monuments, a better international coordination could have helped the competition. 

I would like you to ponder a bit with me, and think whether it would be useful to organize again a training meeting for a variety of organizers around the world, where skills and experiences can be transferred, best practices can be shared, the network of organizers internationally can be strengthened and the international coordination can be given a push in the beginning. 

First of all, please think whether this would be a good idea, and if so what should be the goals, realistic outcomes and what kind of organizers should be joining definitely. After that, we can draft up the budget, the pro's and con's and consider whether this would be a wise investment of our time and money. Don't worry just yet if it is realistic to request the money etc - that is a separate discussion. 

My initial attitude is positive yet somewhat critical (I know it's going to be expensive, but I think if there is enough support, it could be worth it) and I very much look forward to your thoughts. Your input would be highly valued on this page on Wikimedia Commons. 

Looking forward to your very valuable thoughts,

Lodewijk

PS: I am very happy to help organize such a training to help future competitions, but please don't think I will join the international team again :) Just want to be realistic. 

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