Wikimedia Brasil Becomes the Newest Wikimedia Chapter

In a quiet corner of the internet, over a decade ago, a group of six passionate Brazilian Wikimedians began building something remarkable. Despite being physically distant in cities such as São Luis, Salvador, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, they were driven by the belief that knowledge should be free, accessible, and collaborative. What started as informal gatherings of editors and small-scale projects has now grown into something much greater.

Earlier this year, Wiki Movimento Brasil – now to be known as Wikimedia Brasil – was officially recognized as a Wikimedia chapter, a milestone that cements its role in the global free and open knowledge movement. This occasion marks its evolution from a voluntary informal User Group to a formal, registered nonprofit organization, significantly enhancing its ability to champion free knowledge throughout Brazil.

What does it mean to be a chapter?

Wikimedia chapters are independent, nonprofit organizations dedicated to supporting Wikipedia and its Wikimedia sister projects as well as their mission in their respective regions. They work to promote free knowledge, organize local initiatives, and strengthen community participation in the movement, outreaching the greatness of contributing to such an important cause.

As a chapter, Wikimedia Brasil now has the resources and structure to amplify its impact and ensure the long-term growth of free knowledge in Portuguese. With its headquarters in São Paulo, Wikimedia Brasil joins 37 other recognized Wikimedia chapters worldwide, becoming the most recent addition to this global network. The last country to be recognized as a chapter was Colombia, back in 2019.

Winning photos from Wiki Loves Monuments Brazil.

Valério Melo, president of Wikimedia Brasil, sees this recognition as both an honor and a big responsibility.

“In addition to our volunteer work as wiki editors, we chose to become Wikimedia Brasil to represent our country’s Wikimedia community while respecting and collaborating with other user groups and projects,” he explains. 

More than just a title, this new status is a commitment to a sustainable and independent growth.

“We understand the responsibility that comes with this role,” he adds, “ And our goal is to support initiatives that strengthen equity, reliability, and the security of the open internet’s sociotechnical infrastructure.” 

Wikipedia has long played a vital role in Brazil, with millions of people relying on it every day for information. Portuguese Wikipedia now hosts over 1.1 million articles, being one of the most visited sites in their continental-sized country.  

Given the community’s presence in a country of vast continental dimensions, encompassing diverse contexts, cultures, and experiences best understood by those directly engaged with their local communities, governance is naturally decentralized. This territorial approach is integral to the group’s organizational culture, aiming to empower diverse voices and strengthen the sense of community while amplifying underrepresented knowledge. To achieve this, the community remains committed to engaging new editors in regions that have yet to participate, with a particular focus on promoting gender equity within Portuguese Wikipedia.

For years, this work was driven by an informal network of volunteers. In 2013, a small but determined group launched Wiki Movimento Brasil, an effort to connect editors and promote Wikimedia projects locally. By 2024, with 43 associate members and a growing contributor base, it became clear that the movement had outgrown its early structure. In response, the community adopted a highly participatory governance model with subcommittees, ensuring alignment with a collaboratively designed strategic plan based on a theory of change. Transitioning into a chapter was not about gaining a new title but about achieving greater stability, providing more support for volunteers, and building stronger partnerships.

Winning photos from Wiki Loves Cultura Popular 2024 Brazil

Wikimedia Brasil’s voluntary work over the years has shown they are well-prepared for this new role. The chapter emerges from the strength of its community. Whether through the thousands of edits made by these individuals—each bringing their own expertise and thematic interests—or through the excellent projects conceived and implemented by them and their groups, Wikimedia Brasil chapter is built by genuinely committed people.

Their commitment to diversity is evident in GLAM outreach efforts, educational programs, and community support across Brazil that engage both urban and rural areas. Strong partnerships with organizations like Coalizão Direitos na Rede and the Creative Commons Global Network highlight their leadership in open-knowledge advocacy and civil society engagement. With transparent governance, elected leadership, and a proven track record of initiatives like WikiCon Brasil and GLAM-Wiki projects, Wikimedia Brasil has the structure and dedication to make a lasting impact.

What’s next for Wikimedia Brasil?

Wikimedia Brasil is already organizing the second edition of “WikiCon Brasil 2025: Strengthening Digital Public Goods” with the goal of showcasing how their practices as Wikimedians differ from those established by major digital platforms and raising awareness about the fact that public-interest projects, like those within Wikimedia, enable the creation of a more horizontal, collaborative, responsible, and healthy online environment.

The new chapter values human interaction and grassroots collaboration, that’s why they chose to participate in the project of a global platform for exchanging knowledge, skills, and services with peers. The Capacity Exchange (CapX) was developed to enhance peer-to-peer learning and build capacity in the movement in accessible ways. It is meant to support the Wikimedia ecosystem by connecting movement organizers to strengthen affiliate and movement governance and help to coordinate affiliate activities to have lasting positive impact on Wikimedia projects. At the same time, Wikimedia Brasil recognizes the importance of connecting and strengthening the Portuguese Wikimedia community, the group expanded its leadership development initiative, which is now Calilu, and is supporting the organization of the Portuguese Wikimedia Party.

As Wikimedia Brasil moves forward, it builds on the dedication of its founding team and the community that has grown around it. Now, as a recognized chapter, expanding its reach, strengthening collaborations, and creating a real world impact. More than a reflection of their beginnings, this milestone highlights how far they have come and what is possible next.