The first Wikimedia supported Community Learning Hub in the Philippines.

On May 2023, the WMF Community Resources Team approved a General Community Fund for the Wiki Advocates Philippines User Group. This jumpstarted the User Group to deepen their commitment to expand knowledge and provide access to Wikimedia projects and other open-access educational resources. Volunteers decided to start building a network and serve their very own community, the Municipality of Pasacao. Through the General Community Fund, books and equipment donations from the User Group’s supporters and the service of their editing community, the Wiki Advocates Philippines User Group established the first Wikimedia supported community learning hub at the center of Pasacao, Camarines Sur, Philippines.

History

For years, it has been a challenge for the volunteers of the Wiki Advocates Philippines User Group to meet, convene and even collaborate regularly because of the unavailability of accessible learning and coworking spaces within the area where the volunteers reside. Poor internet connection also adds on the struggle of a volunteer to actively participate in virtual activities. Whenever there is an offline meet-up, volunteers and organizers need to travel for almost a couple of hours to the city to be able to have a comfortable learning and sharing environment.

On May 2023, the WMF Community Resources Team approved a General Community Fund for the Wiki Advocates Philippines User Group. This jumpstarted the User Group to deepen their commitment to expand knowledge and provide access to Wikimedia projects and other open-access educational resources. Volunteers decided to start building a network and serve their very own community, the Municipality of Pasacao. Through the General Community Fund, books and equipment donations from the User Group’s supporters and the service of their editing community, the Wiki Advocates Philippines User Group established their first Wikimedia supported community learning hub at the center of Pasacao, Camarines Sur, Philippines.

This learning space has a small library, medium-sized conference room and individual study area equipped with fiber internet connection. All equipment and resources are open to all residents of this area and Wikimedia enthusiasts. This also serves as the primary office of the User Group where they will conduct their planning of activities, monthly members meeting and training for any person willing to be an active Wikimedian.

On July 8, 2023, the User Group officially launched this learning space to the public and started accepting new volunteers and editors. As part of their launching, they also conducted their second monthly members meeting for this year to renew membership status and to update everyone of the User Group’s upcoming activities and campaigns.

According to most of the members and active volunteers, having this kind of facility will greatly help in their contribution as a Wikimedian and will bring greater impact to the learning experiences of the community. The user group has clear goals set on their upcoming Wikimedia-related activities and community outreach to further embrace their mission of empowering communities , especially women, preserving language, promoting free and equal access to information, and broadening their scope of educating communities on environmental awareness and sustainability.

Support from the Community

Capacity Building for Volunteers

2026 Update

The current ESEAP Regional Funds Committee recommended the removal of the office budget of the user group for the current fiscal year. This also means the possible closure of the WAP Community Learning Hub, and the absence of support for volunteers to properly convene for their campaigns and edit-a-thons. The reason for this decision was not yet publicly disclosed to any public Wikimedia pages or channels, or even at least to the User Group.