🏆 Wikipedia Writing Contest: A Tradition Since 2004 — and You Can Join!

Every year, from September to November, a beloved tradition returns to the Dutch-language Wikipedia: the Wikipedia Schrijfwedstrijd (Writing Contest). Launched in 2004 as the first writing competition ever held on Wikipedia, it has since grown into a recurring event that celebrates quality, depth, and community spirit.

And yes — you can take part too!

✍️ What is it?

The concept is simple:
Write a high-quality new article or significantly improve an existing one. An independent jury will evaluate the entries based on:

• Content quality
• Structure and clarity
• Use of reliable sources
• Writing style
• Completeness

Only edits made during the contest period count, and you must explicitly register your article to be eligible for the prizes.

👥 Who judges the entries?

A team of five to six experienced Wikipedians serves as the jury. They work independently but coordinate their criteria and approach in advance. Evaluation begins on November 1st.

🗓️ Important dates

• August 1 – Registration opens
• September 1 to November 1 – Writing period
• Only edits during this period will be considered
• January 2026 – Award ceremony at Wikimedia Nederland’s New Year’s gathering

🙌 Why participate?

You don’t have to be an expert to join — anyone can participate, and you’re welcome to switch topics or jump in even after the writing period has started.

This is your chance to:

✅ Sharpen your writing skills
✅ Improve Wikipedia’s quality
✅ Learn something new
✅ Join a vibrant community
✅ …and maybe even win a prize!

Whether you’re a seasoned contributor or just starting out, the contest is a great opportunity to leave your mark on Wikipedia — one well-written article at a time.

🔗 Ready to join?

👉 Visit the contest page for all the details, rules, and FAQs (in Dutch).
👉 Registration is open now — and we can’t wait to see what you’ll create!