Hello everyone, 👋 On behalf of the proposed WikiConference India 2026 organizing team, I would like to share a brief update about the early progress on the *WikiConference India 2026* proposal submitted to the Wikimedia Foundation.
Over the past few months, we, along with support and encouragement from community members, have initiated preliminary discussions to explore hosting WikiConference India in 2026. A draft Meta-wiki page titled *WikiConference India 2026: Initial conversations <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/WikiConference_India_2026/Initial_conversations>* [1] has been created for community feedback, ideas, and expressions of interest from Wikimedians across India and neighbouring countries, including Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. The *proposal* <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Programs/Wikimedia_Community_Fund/Conference_Fund/WikiConference_India_2026> [2] was submitted in September 2025 to WMF by the organizing team and is *currently under review by the Conference Fund team.* The Meta-wiki page now includes a participation section, *the volunteer sign-up area <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/WikiConference_India_2026/Initial_conversations#Sign_up_to_volunteer_for_the_organizational_tasks>* [3] for those interested in contributing to organisational tasks. Additional community calls and consultations will continue as planning evolves. *Our early focus at this point includes:* - Gathering community input on possible *formats, and focus areas* for WCI 2026. - Gauging interest from volunteers and affiliates who want to support *organisational and programmatic roles*. - Starting conversations around *partnerships, resource needs, logistics,* and general feasibility. - Once the grant is reviewed, making a community-supported implementation plan for next steps. At this stage, we welcome *community feedback on the Initial Conversations and your endorsements on the proposal*. Your perspectives as volunteer community members play a crucial role in the review process. They help show community interest, relevance, and alignment with regional priorities. *We warmly encourage community members to:* - Go through the proposal and share your endorsements. - Add yourselves as interested participants, including your areas of interest, skills, and expertise on the Meta page here <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/WikiConference_India_2026/Initial_conversations> .[3] - Share this message and invite others from your local communities to participate in these discussions. We are exploring the formation of a *small advisory / steering committee for Wiki Conference India* as per the suggestions received from WMF <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants_talk:Programs/Wikimedia_Community_Fund/Conference_Fund/WikiConference_India_2026#Feedback_on_your_proposal>.[4] This committee will guide future iterations of Wiki Conference India but also strengthen the long-term, sustainable impact of community events across the India/South Asia region. This committee would support strategic planning, continuity, documentation, and community alignment throughout the conference cycle. This is a very early-stage, collaborative effort, and we truly hope to build it together with the community. Your ideas, involvement, and enthusiasm will help shape what WikiConference India 2026 can become. Thank you, and we look forward to continued conversations with all of you. :) Warm Regards, Jinoy on behalf of the Organizing Team of WCI 2026 [1] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/WikiConference_India_2026/Initial_conversations [2] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Programs/Wikimedia_Community_Fund/Conference_Fund/WikiConference_India_2026 [3] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/WikiConference_India_2026/Initial_conversations#Sign_up_to_volunteer_for_the_organizational_tasks [4] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants_talk:Programs/Wikimedia_Community_Fund/Conference_Fund/WikiConference_India_2026#Feedback_on_your_proposal *Please don’t print this e-mail unless you really need to.Every 3000 sheets consume a tree. Conserve Trees for a better tomorrow!*
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