Projects

With a focus on advancing open knowledge in Rwanda through various projects. Below is a detailed overview of their key initiatives:

1. Article Creation and Improvement on Wikimedia Platforms:
   • We work to create and enhance articles on Wikimedia Foundation project websites, including Wikipedia, Wikiquote, Wikidata, and Wikimedia Commons. Content is developed in Kinyarwanda, English, French, and Swahili, with a strong emphasis on promoting Kinyarwanda Wikipedia to preserve and share local knowledge. For example, in 2022, over 500 articles were added to Kinyarwanda Wikipedia.
2. Wiki Loves Africa:
3. Wiki Loves Women – SheSaid Campaign:
   • This initiative focuses on reducing the gender gap in Wikimedia projects by creating and editing Wikiquote entries about notable Rwandan women in English and French. In 2023, the campaign resulted in 576 new articles created and 826 edited on Wikiquote, celebrating female leaders and their contributions.
4. WikiGap:
   • Aimed at increasing women’s representation on Wikipedia, the fourth edition of the WikiGap challenge focused on enhancing articles about remarkable Rwandan women. This project addresses the gender gap in content creation and encourages women’s participation in Wikimedia projects.
5. Reading Wikipedia in the Classroom:
   • This pilot project, initiated in two secondary schools in Rwanda’s Eastern Province (GS Gishari and GS Ruhunda), integrates Wikipedia into the school curriculum to advance information literacy and critical thinking. It aims to provide students with access to diverse information beyond traditional textbooks and enhance their 21st-century skills.
6. Digital Accessibility and Inclusion for People with Disabilities:
   • Led by Alice Mukeshimana, Byiringiro Cedric, and Niyigena Jack, this initiative promotes digital inclusivity by training individuals with disabilities to contribute to Wikimedia projects, particularly Kinyarwanda Wikipedia. It addresses the underrepresentation of people with disabilities and enriches content relevant to them. The project includes awareness campaigns and skill-building workshops.
7. Wiki Loves Monuments:
   • This photographic contest documents Rwanda’s cultural and historical monuments. The contest encourages participants to upload photos to Wikimedia Commons and create related articles.
8. Wiki Loves Folklore:
   • An international writing and photographic competition held in February and March, focusing on documenting Rwandan folk culture and women in folklore. It aims to celebrate cultural diversity and contribute articles and media to Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons.
9. Mois de la Contribution Francophone:
   • A month-long workshop focused on training new contributors to document Rwandan women’s contributions to environmental and climate change actions on French Wikipedia, Wikidata, and Wikimedia Commons. The project resulted in 87 articles created, 304 edited, and over 100 photos uploaded, with 70% of the content created by women.
10. Community Engagement and Training:
    • We organize conventions, conferences, workshops, and edit-a-thons across Kigali and other cities to train and recruit new contributors. These events promote digital literacy, reduce the internet gender gap, and encourage youth participation in knowledge-sharing.
11. Movement Strategy and Regional collaboration :
    • To align with the Wikimedia 2030 Movement Strategy, focusing on community building, skill development, and leadership. We are collaborating with the Wikimedia community in Burundi and DRC under the GreatLakes initiative .
12. Wiki Clubs Initiative :
    • These are school-driven groups that encourage students and teachers  participation in Wikimedia projects, fostering a culture of collaboration and knowledge-sharing among Rwandan youth and other community members.

These projects reflect Wikimedia Rwanda’s commitment to promoting open knowledge, cultural preservation, and inclusivity while addressing local and global knowledge gaps.