Dear Wikimedians, We hope this email finds you well. We invite you to join the next episode of WikiAfrica Hour "Organize, Lead, Sustain: The Power of Wikimedia Bodies”
We are very excited to discuss this topic with the episode guests and your joining is very valuable. What can you expect from the episode? Behind every Wikimedia project is a network of passionate individuals—and the structures that help them thrive. In this episode, we explore the types of collaborative groups that power the Wikimedia movement, from User Groups to Thematic Organizations and Chapters. Why are these bodies so essential, and how do they help communities organize themselves around shared goals, whether local or thematic? We’ll unpack the steps to start a group, how to choose the right structure, and why some regions have many groups coexisting. Our guests will share ideas for building capacity, attracting leaders, and evolving from grassroots efforts into stable organizations. We’ll also discuss practical insights on funding—from Wikimedia sources to external partnerships—and how communities sustain themselves financially and strategically. Finally, we dive into the challenges of long-term sustainability and what it takes to keep governance structures healthy, adaptive, and impactful over time. Who are the guest speakers? - Tochi Precious: <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Tochiprecious> Co-founder & Executive Director of Igbo Wikimedia Organization, and Wikimedian in Residence at Wikitongues. She's a member of the Language Committee and a Board Member at Wiki in Africa and African & Proud. - Harriet Bayel <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Mwintirew>: She serves as the Community Lead of the GOI Foundation and is a member of the Affiliations Committee. From 2021 to 2023, she also served as a member of the Regional Grants Committee for Sub-Saharan Africa. - Martin Hipangwa <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Martin_Hipangwa>: He founded Wikimedia Community User Group Namibia, which strives for the advocacy of digital literacy skills and open-access knowledge platforms such as Wikipedia and its sister projects in Namibia. - KOFFI Kangah Donatien: <https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utilisateur:Papischou> Discovering Wikipedia in 2012, he co-founded the Wikimedia Côte d'Ivoire User Group. His commitment extends internationally as a trainer and member of the Wikifranca microgrant committee. He also collaborates with several African communities and organizes the French-speaking Wikiconvention 2023 in Abidjan. Hosting them Delphine Ménard, an active contributor to Wikimedia projects in 2004, and then involvement soon expanded beyond editing to include roles in community governance. Aside from her volunteer engagements over the years, she worked for the Wikimedia Foundation as a Program Officer, supporting grant programs and organizational development of affiliates. In 2022, she went back to being an active Wikimedia volunteer, and was recently appointed to the newly formed Global Resources Distribution Committee (GRDC). In Focus section: Highlights from Wiki Loves Africa 2025 We will listen to *Hilary Ogali* <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Ogalihillary>, WLA facilitator, and *Dappa Solomon*, WLA local organiser who made a big splash in 2025! Hilary will share the biggest highlights and wins from this year’s competition, while Dappa will open up about his first-time experience, the challenges, the triumphs—and tips for anyone ready to join or host next time! When and where will the episode take place? Data: Wednesday 28th May Time of the live episode: 16:00 UTC In focus section starts 16:50 UTC Join us LIVE on Youtube <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCsxAAD_1-o>. You can also register in the event tool here <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Event:WAH_Episode_46_-_Organize,_Lead,_Sustain:_The_Power_of_Wikimedia_Bodies> Looking forward to seeing you! -- *Donia* WikiAfrica Hour Production Coordinator & Wiki In Africa Tools Community Facilitator
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