Wikimedia Indonesia and Google Join Forces for Wikipedia Content Enrichment in Indonesia

In an exciting new initiative, Google has partnered with Wikimedia Indonesia to help enrich, expand, and enhance Wikipedia articles in Indonesian (id.wikipedia.org) and Malay (ms.wikipedia.org) languages. Following Google’s recent support in sharing best practices on online information literacy during WikiNusantara 2024 (the annual gathering of Wikimedians in Indonesia), it has now offered financial support to a project by Wikimedia Indonesia that aims to invite local Wikipedia users to create new articles, strengthen these language Wikipedia communities and empower contributors with skills to keep the platform vibrant and relevant. Thus, this project aims to enrich local knowledge’s online presence, foster community growth, and develop content on topics vital to Indonesian society. 

Wikimedia Indonesia will spearhead various targeted activities in collaboration with influential stakeholders, including UN agencies, universities, and diplomatic missions across Indonesia. A central aspect of the initiative is a series of thematic edit-a-thons designed to address essential and underrepresented topics in Indonesian Wikipedia, including:

• Misinformation and disinformation: Expanding information on Wikipedia about these topics. 
• Gender and women’s health: Expanding coverage on gender issues and women’s health resources.
• Environment and sustainability: Highlighting environmental challenges and sustainable practices.
• STEM and education: Promoting education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
• Culture, history, literature, and current events: Enriching content related to Indonesia’s cultural and historical heritage.

These events will allow new and experienced contributors to fill critical knowledge gaps and provide accurate, reliable information in Indonesian and Malay languages.

WikiLatih training sessions will be conducted to cover both basic and advanced Wikipedia editing techniques. These sessions will help ensure high-quality articles by guiding contributors on maintaining standards and effectively organizing information. Additionally, in-person WikiLatih sessions will be held in collaboration with educational institutions to engage younger generations, particularly Gen Z, in contributing to Wikipedia as a learning and knowledge-sharing platform.

At the heart of this initiative is a mission to expand the content available in Indonesian and Malay Wikipedia, with a target of publishing over 1,000 new articles until December 2025. These articles will address key content gaps identified by Wikimedia Indonesia, Google, and other partners, ensuring that readers have access to a broader range of topics in their native languages. This effort will enrich the online representation of Indonesian and Malay languages, covering everything from historical milestones to scientific advancements, making the Internet a more inclusive and diverse space for Indonesian and Malay speakers.

Building a stronger community is not just a goal but a vital priority of this initiative. Wikimedia Indonesia will host meetups with members of the Indonesian Wikipedia communities to foster collaboration, gather feedback, and discuss future content creation and improvement. These gatherings will align on shared goals for the growth and development of Wikipedia in Indonesia and foster a sense of belonging and shared purpose among the community members.

This collaboration is also about empowering a new generation of digital contributors, amplifying underrepresented voices, and ensuring that knowledge is freely accessible to all. By partnering with UN agencies, the project will link global expertise with local necessities, creating a continuing impact.

Through these initiatives, Wikimedia Indonesia aims to cultivate a vibrant and engaged community of Wikipedia editors who will continue to contribute long after the project ends. The content enrichment project is a timely and essential step toward ensuring that Indonesian and Malay speakers have access to relevant, high-quality information on Wikipedia. With a focus on content expansion, community growth, and collaboration with key stakeholders, this endeavor is balanced to close the knowledge gap in Indonesia and create a richer, more inclusive digital landscape.