Newsletter July 2026
🌐 New Wikimedia Belgium Website
At the same time, we have better organized our online presence. This ensures that each website has its own clear role and helps us avoid duplicate information.
Are you looking for information about Wikipedia? Then you've come to the right place at Wikipedia. Would you like to support the Friends of Wikimedia Belgium Fund? You can do so at friendswikimedia.be. And our organizational wiki, with documentation and internal information, remains available at be.wikimedia.org
With this clear structure, we hope you’ll be able to find what you’re looking for more quickly and navigate the Wikimedia ecosystem in Belgium more easily.
💬 Why do you think we aren't being selected?
This was our seventh time participating. Over the years, we tried different approaches, but we never managed to narrow down our selection.
That raises some questions.
Are Wikipedia and Wikimedia perhaps less well-known than we think? Does an organization that primarily advocates for free digital knowledge appeal less to the imagination? Or is it mainly locally based charities or campaigns run by professional advertising agencies that stand out?
We don’t know the answer. That’s why we’d like to hear your thoughts. Why do you think Wikimedia Belgium keeps missing the mark when it comes to selection? Do you have any ideas, feedback, or suggestions for our next participation? Let us know, maybe your insights will help us present a stronger case in the next edition.
Governance in motion: How do we prepare Wikipedia for the future?
During the Governance Conference, more than thirty Wikimedians from various countries came together to discuss the future of decision-making within Wikimedia. The program included presentations on the history of Wikipedia as a self-organizing community, the Dutch-language Arbitration Committee (ArbCom), and an international exchange with representatives from the English, German, and Swedish Wikimedia communities.
In workshops, participants worked on concrete ideas to further strengthen the governance of the Dutch-language Wikipedia. The conference not only provided new insights, but also valuable international contacts and inspiration.
These discussions are part of a broader strategic conversation currently taking place within the Strategic Wikimedia Affiliates Network (SWAN). After all, what will Wikimedia look like in ten or twenty years?
The rise of AI, changing search behavior, and a new generation of internet users raise many questions. How do we keep Wikipedia appealing to both readers and new volunteers? Should we focus more on multimedia or AI-powered search features? Can we make the website and the process of editing articles simpler? And what would a potential decline in readership mean for the Wikimedia movement and its partners?
One thing became clear in Amsterdam: if Wikimedia wants to remain the leading source of free knowledge in the coming decades, we will need to continue not only to update our content, but also to innovate the way we collaborate, make decisions, and engage new generations.
Looking Back on Wikimania Paris 2026: Thinking Together About the Future of Wikimedia
This year, the Wikimedia Foundation brought 1,250 participants together in person in Paris. Belgium was also represented: at least eight Belgian Wikimedians attended, including board member Nyo Dekens. We’re already looking forward to the next edition, which will take place next year in Santiago, Chile.
In addition, participants were also able to join virtually. About 2,000 people followed the conference remotely. With more than 250 sessions and over 450 speakers, the program was exceptionally extensive. Virtual participation did present some technical challenges, such as issues with audio, video, and navigation on the platform. Fortunately, most problems were quickly resolved, and participants were able to find their way to the various sessions.
The theme of Wikimania 2026 was "reedom, Equality, Reliability". These values served as the common thread throughout the conference.
Key Themes
One of the main topics of discussion was the impact of artificial intelligence on Wikimedia projects. How can we use new technologies without losing sight of the reliability and human collaboration that characterize Wikipedia?
The future of Wikipedia was also discussed at length: how do we reach new generations of readers, and how do we attract new volunteers? In addition, the discussion focused on the further development of the Wikimedia platforms and new ways to make knowledge more accessible.
During the hackathon, participants collaborated on technical projects, while the Team Challenges, projects that had been in the works over the past few months, took shape during Wikimania.
Interesting Sessions and Insights
Some of the sessions that drew a lot of interest included:
- Structured data on Wikimedia Commons and new tools such as Depictor;
- Wikidata and the use of Metabase as a community database;
- Tabular data and interactive charts;
- The impact of AI on Wikimedia platforms;
- New features for Wikipedia readers, such as benefits for logged-in users and improvements to the mobile app;
- Addressing conflicts of interest within Wikimedia organizations.
The Wikimedians of the Year 2026 were also honored at Wikimania. Their stories once again demonstrate the passion, knowledge, and commitment that exist within the Wikimedia community worldwide.
All sessions were recorded and are available online afterward. So if you missed certain presentations, you can still check out the program and watch the recordings.
After four days filled with inspiration, conversations, and new ideas, we’re wrapping up Wikimania Paris eager to continue building a free, reliable, and inclusive knowledge community.
Next year: Wikimania Santiago! 🌎
Friends of Wikimedia Belgium Fund: A New Structure for Future Projects
One Application, One Report
Under the new system, separate project applications and interim reporting for each project will be eliminated. Instead, there will be a single final report after two years. Based on that report, the KBS will decide whether a project can continue.
From now on, the application process will be handled through a digital portal. Wikimedia Belgium will designate a single person to submit the biennial application. Board member Geert has indicated that he wishes to continue in this role, with support and advice from the board, former committee members, and potential advisors.
A New Way of Collaborating
One important change is that a nonprofit organization supported through the Friends Fund is no longer allowed to pass on grants to other nonprofits. This means that the current practice, in which partners were supported through contributions or payment requests, must change. In the future, Wikimedia Belgium will likely cover the costs itself and collaborate with partners through methods such as invoicing.
This also opens up new possibilities: in addition to collaborating with external partners, for example, Wikimedia Belgium could explore in the future whether it can recruit Wikimedians in Residence on its own.
What Will Be Retained?
The basic principles of the fund will remain largely the same. The QR code and structured message for donations will be retained. The initial contribution of 1,000 euros will not be required again, and there will no longer be a minimum annual budget. Furthermore, any remaining funds from the current system can be transferred to the new fund.
Outlook
Over the coming months, the practical details of the application process will be further developed. Wikimedia Belgium will draw up a new multi-year plan that clearly outlines the projects we intend to carry out in the coming years and the budget required to do so.
The reform presents a number of challenges, such as accurately estimating the available budget and organizing project implementation with partners. At the same time, the new system offers opportunities to further professionalize our operations and expand Wikimedia projects in a sustainable manner.
Handy New Tools for Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons
No more bot notifications on your talk page?
Would you prefer not to receive automatic messages from bots on your personal talk page? If so, you can easily change this setting. Add the following code at the top of your talk page: {{bots|allow=none}}
This works in both the text editor and the visual editor.
A Single Global User Page for All Wikimedia Projects
With a global user page, you no longer need to create a profile on each Wikimedia platform separately. Through Meta-Wiki, you can create a single page that will automatically appear on all Wikimedia platforms where you do not yet have a local user page.
CropTool Updated Thanks to Vera de Kok
Vera de Kok has improved the CropTool and made it more user-friendly. With this tool, you can easily crop existing photos on Wikimedia Commons.
Even without CropTool, you can still make minor edits on your smartphone before uploading an image to Wikimedia Commons. A good crop or a small correction can make a big difference in the quality of an image right away.
More information: Making CropTool better for everyone
Micro-Task Generator: Small Tasks, Big Improvements
The Wikipedia Micro-task Generator helps volunteers make targeted improvements to Wikipedia articles. The tool works based on a list of pages or a category and breaks down larger improvement projects into smaller, manageable tasks.
This makes it easier to continue improving the quality of Wikipedia step by step.
More information: Micro-task Generator on Wikimedia Meta-Wiki
With these new and improved tools, contributing to Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons is once again a little more accessible. Whether you're an experienced Wikipedian or just getting started, there's always a tool that can help you.
Industrial Museum Celebrates 50 Years of Industrial Heritage with a Podcast and Festival
For the podcast, the museum collaborated with De Zieke Steur, known for works such as Nordkapp Stories, Geisha and Stoffelijk. Podcast creator Wederik De Backer spoke with museum staff and creators, bringing their knowledge and passion to life. The episodes are narrated by Studio Brussel host Marie Neefs.
In the first episode, you’ll dive into the world of steam engines. Robin Debo from the ETWIE expertise center explains how important steam has been—and still is—in our daily lives. In the second episode, you’ll take a walk with Oktay Sançak, former coordinator of the textile machines, past the museum’s impressive spinning machines and discover the story behind his favorite: the Mule Jenny.
In the upcoming episodes, listeners will be taken on a journey into the world of dye plants, weaving, textile dyeing, and lettering, among other topics. With *Fabrieksgefluister*, the Industriemuseum aims to make industrial heritage accessible to a broad audience and to show how technology and history remain relevant today.
The anniversary year will come to a festive close during the free Industry Festival, from Friday, September 25, through Sunday, September 27. Visitors can enjoy exhibits, guided tours, walking tours, workshops, and an extensive program of entertainment for all ages. In addition, the museum building will gain a new eye-catcher: an impressive mural next to the iconic factory building.
A great opportunity to discover, experience, and reexamine industrial heritage through a contemporary lens.
You can read all about it here.
Agenda
Looking for Facilitators for Writing Sessions
Scheduled writing sessions:
- August 20 – Literair Gent, STAM (9:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.)
- October 10 – Berlare
- October 14 – Hamme
- October 6 or 15 – Zele
To ensure that this and future writing sessions run smoothly, we are looking for enthusiastic volunteers who would like to help participants write and edit Wikipedia articles. Experience as a mentor is not required: a good knowledge of Wikipedia and a desire to help others get started are all that’s needed.
Would you like to help lead a writing session from time to time? If so, please send us your contact information via email. This will help us build a pool of facilitators we can contact for future activities, without requiring you to commit to a specific session right away.
👉 Interested in becoming a writing session facilitator? Sign up via email and help welcome new Wikipedians!
Wiki Loves Monuments 2026
Would you like to participate? Mark the contest on your calendar and get your best heritage photos ready!
Open Monument Day 2026
Check out what’s available in your area soon and start planning a day filled with heritage sites—from castles and historic homes to archaeological sites and other unique locations.
Contact us
Wikimedia Belgium NPO (WMBE)
Antwerpselaan 40 Boulevard d'Anvers B-1000 Brussel/Bruxelles
+32 471 82 20 26 (voice/sms/Signal/Telegram/WhatsApp)
Enterprise 0563.775.480 – RPR Brussel
www.wikimedia.be •
info@wikimedia.be