Wikimedia Europa
Context
The Free Knowledge Advocacy Group EU (FKAGEU) works on behalf of European Wikimedia Chapters, Thematic Organizations and User Groups, presenting a unified and clear position on major legislative and policy changes affecting the vision, mission and values of the Wikimedia movement. The FKAGEU has no legal structure. Currently, the administration lies with Wikimedia Deutschland which receives funds from 9 other Wikimedia Chapters. Two FTE work for the FKAGEU.
In order to strengthen the existing capacities and plan for a greater support to the Movement in Europe we now aim to found a European legal entity formed as a hub according to Wikimedia 2030. “Wikimedia Europe” will be an association of organizations, not of individuals. The nucleus of Wikimedia Europe is the EU advocacy work which we have been doing for nearly 10 years. Two additional functions of Wikimedia Europe could be, for example, fundraising and knowledge exchange. The fundraising function focuses on institutional fundraising from the EU bodies and fundraising support for affiliates.
Project objectives
As an organized civil society organization we want to play an even stronger role than before in shaping European regulation in terms of free knowledge, access to information and freedom of expression.
The shortcomings of the current informal structure do not allow for a strong appearance to policymakers, journalists, and stakeholders. The brand "FKAGEU" is in great need of explanation, and is not recognizable as a Wikimedia operation despite serving our Movement for many years. Also, it does not have capacity to ensure institutional fundraising for itself as well as for the chapters.
In the global landscape where technology underpins access to information and knowledge exchange at an unprecedented scale, Europe is seen as a regulatory environment uniquely fitted to deal with challenges that the platform economy brings. There is a lack of a distinct institutionally credible voice that explains the need of a democratic discourse based on exchange of true information. One that exemplifies that the internet can still be a sphere of hope, openness and collaboration.
The impact of establishing this entity is that people will have more free knowledge, more access to information and are not afraid to speak their mind, so that an informed democratic discourse is possible in Europe and knowledge becomes accessible to all. As an outcome, free knowledge, access to information and freedom of expression are taken into account within the legislative and regulatory framework of the European institutions. We understand our conversations, statements, position papers, press releases and online campaigns to be outputs.
As a result, a unique European player can be created that actively participates in the policy discourse. The Wikimedia projects are the largest non-commercial platforms in the world. Wikimedia is one of the largest civil society organizations that is both supported by a vibrant, engaged and diverse community and developed a unique open technological ecosystem. There is no other civil society organization in Europe with this set of technological know-how. This uniqueness in the discussion about platforms, combined with its technical expertise, makes Wikimedia a focus point in the European policy discourse.
Project description
An association will be set up in the first half of 2022 with as many European chapters as possible. The current favorite but not definitive institutional option is an "association internationale sans but lucratif (ASBL) / internationale vereniging zonder winstoogmerk (VZW)" under Belgian law. A later enlargement through accession of more chapters is possible and aspired. This new organization shall be named "Wikimedia Europe". For this purpose, an agreement with the Wikimedia Foundation to use the trademark "Wikimedia" has to be made.
The founding of Wikimedia Europe will be made public through press and media work, a public event, and direct outreach to policy makers and partners in Europe. Subsequently, the already existing advocacy formats will be continued. The usual close coordination and cooperation with the Wikimedia Foundation will be pursued.
Schedule
In the first half of 2022 the discussion of the statutes and the institutional creation should be carried out. In the second half of 2022, the institutional fundraising will be scaled up so that, if possible, additional funds will be available for Wikimedia Europe and/or the chapters from 2023 onward.
For this purpose, an additional third staff position will be created in the second half of 2022, with a focus on institutional fundraising. The role is intended to achieve the following goals: a.) Secure funding for the position beyond 2024; b.) Continue to build and expand Wikimedia Europe; c.) Support the chapters in institutional fundraising contributing to their sustainable growth.
Working Group
Members of the working group to discuss and establish Wikimedia Europe:
Anna Mazgal, Camelia Boban, Catrin Vimercati, Christian Humborg, Claudia Garad, Daria Cybulska, Dimi Dimitrov, Francesc Fort, Goncalo Themudo, Jan-Bart de Vreede, Jenny Ebermann, John Andersson, Klara Joklova, Lucy Crompton-Reid, Mehman Ibragimov, Rémy Gerbet, Sandra Rientjes, Željko Blaće, Maciej Nadzikiewicz (User:Nadzik)
Questions, interest in joining the group: Please write on the talk page or contact Nicole Ebber (nicole.ebber@wikimedia.de)
What's going on
- WEAC meeting, 24 March 2022, to present the results of the workshop to more affiliates
- Second Wikimedia Europe Workshop, 25 March 2022. Until then:
- Location: The team will create a spreadsheet and assess each ___location according to the criteria we agreed upon.
- Governance and Scope: The 2 teams will create a merged and updated version along what has been discussed and agreed upon in the workshop and what then can become the basis for the statutes.
- Meeting in Brussels between WMF and representatives of Affiliates, on 12 May 2022, to discuss ways to coordinate public policy work in Europe.
Previous Meetings
- 18 February 2022: A workshop to discuss and agree upon the key parameters for three topics. If your affiliate is interested in participating, please write on the talk page.