Call for applications: Wikipedian-in-Residence (WiR) Fellowships to Advance Gender Equity, LGBTQ+ Rights, and Climate Awareness in Southern Africa

by | Mar 24, 2025 | Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Call for Applications, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Fellowship, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Remote, Rwanda, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Fellows will promote gender equity, LGBTQ+ rights, and climate awareness by countering misinformation and enhancing the visibility of these topics on Wikimedia. 

Code for Africa (CfA) is offering stipend‐based fellowships to four (4)  African Wikipedians-in-Residence to strengthen ecosystem defense by addressing gender disparities, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, and promoting climate awareness, ensuring a more inclusive and informed digital space in Southern Africa and its neighboring countries.

These fellowships are part of a joint initiative between CfA and Norwegian Embassy of Foreign Affairs, under its African Wikipedian Alliance (AWA) initiative, to address content gaps, organise edit-a-thons, facilitate technical training, and establish partnerships with organisations dedicated to strengthening ecosystem defense in the fellowship’s thematic focus in Southern Africa and neighboring countries—South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Seychelles—on Wikimedia projects. Fellows will enhance the visibility of critical topics such as gender equity, LGBTQ+ rights, climate change awareness, and environmental justice, among others.

Fellowship Details:
• Number of awards: Up to 4 Fellows
• Duration: 6 months
• Award amount: Each Fellow receives a stipend of USD 300 per month
• Additional support: Hands-on fact-checking and technical training, incentive for contributors, one-on-one mentorship, and ongoing support from CfA’s Communities and Academy Team.

Applicants must:

  1. Be a registered Wikimedian with at least two (2) years of experience as an editor and belong to the event organiser user group.
  2. Ideally be based in Southern Africa (SADC region) and neighbouring countries (exceptional applicants from elsewhere in Africa may be considered).
  3. Be fluent in English (Bilingual is a plus).
  4. Have experience organising edit-a-thons and other Wikimedia events.
  5. Have experience building topic lists and facilitating technical training.
  6. Have experience fact-checking content on Wikipedia or be willing to learn.
  7. Have experience in community mobilisation.
  8. Possess an interest in the fellowship’s thematic (Gender equity, LGBTQ+ rights, or climate issues) focus. 
  9. Be an active contributor to Wikipedia and/or Wikidata / WikiCommons with a verifiable portfolio.
  10. Have no history of blocks or sanctions on Wikimedia projects.
  11. Demonstrate the ability to track contributions and submit reports efficiently.
  12. Be willing to participate in mentorship, training, and outreach activities.
  13. Comply with AWA’s and the Wikimedia policies on attribution, privacy, and friendly space guidelines.

Complete this form to apply for the fellowship.  

Deadline for submission: 28th March 2025.

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