Wikimania 2025

Nina Leseberg

Nina has been Head of Communities & Engagement at WMDE since January 2024. Before that, she worked for 20 years in organisations that support volunteering and civil society organisations, e.g. at the German Foundation for Engagement and Volunteering, the Association of German Foundations and the Berlin Senate Chancellery.


Session

08-06
14:00
85min
Shrinking civic spaces: Challenges and Strategies for the Wikimedia Communitys
Nina Leseberg, maiken.hagemeister@wikimedia.de

In many regions of the world governmental and non-governmental actors are increasingly restricting the space for civil society engagement. The term ‘shrinking spaces’ describes this phenomenon and has significant implications on volunteering. This workshop will begin with an overview of global trends in civic spaces, highlighting the latest developments. We explore the concept of shrinking civic spaces and take a look at the current developments shown by the civicus monitor tracking civic spaces all over the world. Participants will then engage in small group discussions to explore the impact of social and political shifts on the Wikimedia Movement. Key questions include the extent to which restrictions affect their engagement, the strategies they have developed to navigate challenges, and what others can learn from their experiences. By leveraging the collective expertise of the global Wikimedia community, we aim to develop approaches to solutions, options for actions and mutual support.

Community Health
ELDORET (Clubhouse)