Conflict Resolution and Admin Support Project: Lessons from Wikimedia Polska

For Wikimedia Polska, last year was a time of increased focus on supporting groups particularly vulnerable to burnout. Lack of agency, ineffectiveness of their own actions and conflicts within the community left many Wikipedians feeling overwhelmed and hopeless. As a remedy to the emerging crisis we came up with two initiatives: “The Project of Support and Integration for Administrators of the Polish Wikipedia” (June 2022-June 2023) and “The Project of Conflict Prevention in the Polish-language Wikipedia” (February-November 2023). While the first project targeted administrators (approximately 40 people participated in it; there were six online meetings, five follow-up activities and one live meeting), the second one was aimed at wikitrainers, wikimediators, but also others who wanted to gain new skills, since we strongly believe that anyone willing to learn and pass the knowledge on should be welcomed in the Wikimedia movement (the number of participants in this case was about 20; there were three live trainings and one online; the project also included five additional activities). Without further ado – here’s why organizing Wikimedia events is a brilliant idea that will strengthen your community:

1. Building Stronger Connections: Hitting the Road

Bringing people together, lets the magic happen. Both initiatives made it clear that a strong community is the backbone of any successful project. The Admin Camp and Wikitrainers’ workshops were all about fostering a sense of belonging and collaboration. Regular online and offline meetups and cooperative actions were at the heart of these projects. All the people involved got a chance to see each other in real life, spend hours on talking and work together on making Polish Wikipedia a better place suitable for any lost wanderer who’s willing to go on a free and verified knowledge hunting. Wikipedians are ultimately the ones who expand the limits of our world by leaving the treasures for others to discover. Thus, a companionate team’s mutual efforts make many beautiful journeys begin.

2. Skill Development: Broadening the Horizons

Let’s face that (with our golden faces into the sun to stick to the metaphor) it’s not always about editing. The final bosses of Wikipedia mastered it all. What can be offered to them are the new talents they can acquire. From cybersecurity and conflict resolution for admins to visual thinking and collaboration skills for Wikitrainers, there’s always something new to learn. These events are like Hogwarts for Wikipedians – minus the magic wands, but with colored markers and plenty of practical skills that make them more effective and knowledgeable Wikimedians. At the end of the day what matters is a joyful cry of one workshop’s participant, shouting, “I didn’t know I could draw!”

3. Fighting Burnout: When the Sun Goes Down

Although burnout is real, these projects show that meetings and joint effort might be the perfect antidote. The administrators’ project included mindfulness workshops and support meetings to help participants calm down and recharge. Similarly, the conflict prevention project focuses on reducing stress through skill-building and mutual support. Both initiatives recognize hard work and celebrate successes, letting everyone feel valued. Wikipedians love to receive a good pat on the back (or at least a “thank you” notification); thus, both initiatives were planned to let a culture of appreciation flourish. We learned that collaborative events and honest discussions (also the ones concerning more serious topics) create a supportive environment, which attracts other travelers.

As we’re coming to the end of our trip, I’ll leave you with these three aforementioned ideas as if they were road signs letting you to navigate in supporting your own communities. I sincerely believe that – whether you’re looking to strengthen the Wikimedians, who surround you; boost their skills; or just need some fresh ideas to combat stress – there’s plenty to learn from the projects mentioned. Go ahead and give these strategies a try. We definitely want and will do it once again – it’s now official that Wikimedia Polska is launching its second edition of the admin project, so keep your fingers crossed!

And since we’re all heading to the same destination, I’m happy to share our experiences with you and answer any further questions. Don’t hesitate to contact me directly by email: malgorzata.gramatnikowska@wikimedia.pl. See you down the road!