Hi all,
As part of the Wikimedia Foundation’s Annual Plan goal around supporting
knowledge equity
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_Foundation_Annual_Plan/2023-2024/Goals/Equity#Equity_Fund>
by supporting regional and thematic strategies, and helping close knowledge
gaps, I wanted to share an update on the Knowledge Equity Fund. Earlier
this year, the Foundation shared learnings from the first year
<https://diff.wikimedia.org/2023/04/12/what-weve-learned-from-the-equity-funds-first-round/>
of the Knowledge Equity Fund pilot, as well as reports from our first year
grantees. These learnings include how we can increase visibility into the
work of the grantees, and also connect the grantees with Wikimedians and
local communities to enable greater understanding and more ties to the work
of free knowledge on the Wikimedia projects.
With these learnings in mind, today we are announcing the second round of
grantees
<https://diff.wikimedia.org/2023/08/03/announcing-the-second-round-of-grantees-from-the-wikimedia-foundation-knowledge-equity-fund/>
from the Knowledge Equity Fund. This second round includes seven grantees
that span five regions, including the Fund’s first-ever grantees in Asia.
This diverse group of grantees was chosen from an initial pool of 42
nominations, which were received from across the Wikimedia movement through
an open survey in 2022 and 2023. Each grantee aligns with one of Fund’s five
focus areas
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Knowledge_Equity_Fund#Criteria_for_grantees>,
identified to address persistent structural barriers experienced by
communities of color that prevent equitable access and participation in
open knowledge. They are also recognized nonprofits with a proven track
record of impact in their region. The grantees include:
Aliansi Masyarakat Adat Nusantara, Indonesia: The Aliansi Masyarakat Adat
Nusantara <https://aman.or.id/>, or the Alliance of the Indigenous Peoples
of the Archipelago (AMAN for short), is a non-profit organization based in
Indonesia that works on human rights, journalism, and advocacy issues for
indigenous people.
Black Cultural Archives, United Kingdom: Black Cultural Archives
<https://blackculturalarchives.org/> is a Black-led archive and heritage
center that preserves and gives access to the histories of African and
Caribbean people in the UK.
Create Caribbean Research Institute, Commonwealth of Dominica: Create
Caribbean Research Institute <https://createcaribbean.org/create/>is the
first digital humanities center in the Caribbean.
Criola, Brazil: Criola <https://criola.org.br/> is a civil society
organization, based in Rio de Janeiro, dedicated to advocating for the
rights of Black women in Brazilian society.
Data for Black Lives, United States: Data for Black Lives
<https://d4bl.org/> is a movement of activists, organizers, and scientists
committed to the mission of using data to create concrete and measurable
change in the lives of Black people.
Filipino American National Historical Society, United States: The Filipino
American National Historical Society <http://fanhs-national.org/filam/> has
a mission to gather, document and share Filipino American history through
its 42 community based chapters.
Project Multatuli, Indonesia: Project Multatuli
<https://projectmultatuli.org/en/>is an organization dedicated to
non-profit journalism, especially for underreported topics, ranging from
indigenous people to marginalized issues.
The Equity Fund Committee, made up of five Wikimedia community members and
five Wikimedia Foundation staff, have also connected each of these grantees
with regional and relevant partners in the Wikimedia movement, including
local and established movement affiliates who can support knowledge equity
work and help grantees learn about how to connect back to the work of free
knowledge on the Wikimedia projects. We continue to look for ways to
increase these connections and welcome your input.
This second round of grants was administered by the Wikimedia Foundation,
after all remaining funds for the Equity Fund were transferred back from
Tides Advocacy to the Foundation earlier this year.
We welcome thoughts and questions about the Equity fund and the second
round of grantees on Meta
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Knowledge_Equity_Fund>.
Thank you,
Nadee Gunasena
On behalf of the Equity Fund Committee
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Knowledge_Equity_Fund#The_Knowledge_Equity_Fund_Committee>
Biyanto Rebin, Emna Mizouni, Gala Mayi Miranda, Kelly Foster, Maari
Zwick-Maitreyi, Aeryn Palmer, Jorge Vargas, Kassia Echavarri-Queen, Nadee
Gunasena, Sandister Tei
--
*Nadee Gunasena*
Chief of Staff
Wikimedia Foundation <https://wikimediafoundation.org/>