Frequently Asked Questions

re·shape – A Wikimedia Program to support knowledge equity  is a program initiated and funded by Wikimedia Deutschland. It is implemented in collaboration with neue deutsche organisationen – das postmigrantische netzwerk e.V. as program partner, and LAMSA e.V., Migrationsrat Berlin e.V., MOSAIQ e.V., Multikulturelles Forum e.V., RomaniPhen e.V., and SUPERRR Lab as network partners.

Free licenses (also known as open licenses) are licenses that allow you to use, distribute and modify copyrighted works without individual permission, as long as the license conditions are complied with. Where “all rights reserved” is the norm in copyright law, with free licenses this condition changes to “some rights reserved”. Depending on the license used, everyone is entitled to use the work in many different ways, such as editing or distribution without the need to first enter into more detailed, individual agreements with the copyright holders – as long as they comply with the conditions of the relevant license. Creative Commons licenses are the most commonly used free licenses, but there are many more out there. Each of these licenses permits different types of use and modification. Working with free licenses therefore also involves weighing up the pros and cons that broad-scale accessibility entails. Free licenses can help marginalized knowledge gain greater reach – for example, by enabling easier use in formal and informal education or contributing to more equitable media representation of marginalized communities.

Within the program, we use the Creative Commons licenses CC0, CC BY, and CC BY-SA, because other license modules such as “NC” (NonCommercial) or “ND” (NoDerivatives) overly restrict reusibility.

• CC BY (Creative Commons Attribution): Content under this license can be used, modified, and redistributed freely – even commercially. The only requirement is attribution of the original author.
• CC BY-SA (Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike): This license works similarly to CC BY, but with the additional requirement that derivative works must be shared under the same license (the “ShareAlike” principle)
• CC0 (Creative Commons Zero): This license waives all copyright, allowing content to be used, modified, and redistributed without any restrictions.

re·shape – A Wikimedia Program to support knowledge equity is a program where communities who experience racism engage with the potential and possibilities of Free Knowledge for sharing and spreading marginalized knowledge. The goal is to gain more visibility and reach for knowledge from marginalized communities within the scope of participants’ projects. Projects receive funding of up to €5,000, plus non-material, needs-based support. The program also offers workshops as well as space for exchange and networking opportunities.

neue deutsche organisationen – das postmigrantische netzwerk e.V. is program partner and takes on an advisory and co-designing role within the program.

LAMSA e.V., Migrationsrat Berlin e.V., MOSAIQ e.V., Multikulturelles Forum e.V., RomaniPhen e.V., neue Deutsche Medienmacher*innen, DaMigra and SUPERRR Lab are network partners. They support the outreach and promotion of the re·shape call for applications and, to varying degrees, provide guidance and advice to the projects.

The program name re·shape refers to processes of reshaping and reimagining. The program aims to support participants in co-shaping, transforming, and redefining what we as a society know, consider worth knowing, and take into account in political and societal decisions. To contribute to a more just society and informed public discourse, we aim to raise visibility and accessibility of marginalized knowledge from communities who experience racism through free licenses.

Information about re·shape and the funded projects is shared via the social media channels and newsletters of the program and network partners, as well as Wikimedia Deutschland. Whether you wish to be named as a participant is up to you.

The kick-off and closing events take place in Berlin, the mid-term event will take place in Brandenburg – the exact locations will be announced closer to date. Two shorter online sessions will take place online (via Zoom).

The main language of the program is German, with some sessions (e.g. workshops or input talks) in English. Translations to and from English can be provided. In the application, you’ll be asked which language you primarily use for communication and how comfortable you are with the other.

The funding phase begins with a kick-off event on November 21–22, 2025, and ends with a closing event on June 27–28, 2026.

The program offers space for engagement with Free Knowledge through workshops, networking and consultation from a pool of experts. The focus is on how Free Knowledge and free licenses can help increase the visibility of marginalized knowledge. Both workshop content and expert advice will be tailored to the needs of the participants and their projects. If your project is selected, you will be involved in shaping what is learned.

A total of ten projects will be supported. Each project can be implemented by 1 to 3 people. Thus, between 10 and 30 individuals will take part in the program.

We limit group size to three people to ensure everyone can fully engage in the program and network with other participants. Larger groups may apply, but only three people per project can directly participate in the program.

• We expect interest in Free Knowledge and a willingness to publish your project content under a free license. Prior experience or expertise in Free Knowledge is not required.
• Attendance at the kick-off, mid-term, and final events is mandatory. Participation in tow online sessions (approx. 90 mins) between the events is also mandatory. If attendance at one of the events isn’t possible or if you have questions about accessibility, contact us early and we’ll find an individual solution.
• Conversational-level language skills in either German or English are required for participation in the program.
• Additionally, a postal address in Germany and a bank account are required.
• At the end of the funding period, each project submits a final report. Non-profit organizations must also provide proof of their charitable status, their bylaws, and a certificate of registration at the start of the program, as well as a financial report at the end.

Each project will receive up to €5,000 in financial support. The program will further provide opportunities to explore practical work with free licenses in workshops and through exchange with others. Support and advice from a pool of experts is also offered.

The online sessions will be held via Zoom. In that case, a stable internet connection is required. If other digital tools are used, we will provide advance instructions. The necessary technical conditions for implementing your project must also be met; hardware can be borrowed in some cases.

The rights to the project and its content will remain with you, as the copyright holder, under the conditions of the license you have chosen. Your project results will be published on a platform of your choice and linked on the re·shape website.

No, participation is free of charge. Projects are supported with up to €5,000. In addition, we cover travel and accommodation costs for program events and offer childcare if needed.

Yes, but please contact us in advance if you already know you can’t attend certain events – we’ll work with you to find a solution. In general, at least one person from your project team should attend each in-person event.

We aim to make re·shape as accessible as our resources allow. We try to reduce and transparently communicate barriers.

Communication & Language: Most communication in the program will be digital via email or spoken language at events. Within the program, we communicate in German and English, with translations between the two languages available. We are aware that events and networking mostly center on spoken language. While German and English are the communication languages, you are free to choose any project language, as long as the project outcomes are translated into German or English.

Working Pace: We are interested in the questions around and exploration of Free Knowledge as well as the answers you find for your project. At the end of the program, we expect a short project report and the publication of content under a free license. How you get there – your working pace – is up to you and should be guided by your own project logic.

Event Locations: The exact locations in Berlin and Brandenburg as well as details on accessibility will be announced closer to date.

Technology: For digital events such as the info session on July 22 (6:30–7:30 p.m.), we use Zoom.

If you participate in the program as an individual or as part of an informal group, you will receive a personal scholarship. The funding amount of up to €5,000 is granted per project—if you’re participating as an informal group, you can divide the amount among yourselves as you wish. Non-profit organizations receive the funding through grant agreements, whereby the amount depends on the financial plan submitted with the application.

Payouts will be arranged in two installments via bank transfer—one at the beginning and one around the middle of the program period.

We generally assume a funding amount of €5,000 per project. However, in some cases, a lower amount may be more appropriate—for example, if an organization can only provide documentation for a smaller sum, or if an individual is only allowed to earn a limited additional income. We only reduce the amount if explicitly requested.

Our only requirement is that the money is used for implementing your project. This can happenin various ways —for example, purchasing consumable materials or booking services. Covering part of your living expenses or costs for childcare is also possible.

The requirements differ depending on whether you’re participating as an individual, as part of an informal group, or as a non-profit organization:

• Individuals and informal groups: Submitting individual receipts is not necessary. All we need is a brief report of how the money was spent to support the project.
  
• Non-profit organizations: By the end of the funding period, you must submit a one-page case report, a one-page financial report, and receipts for your expenses.

The regulations differ depending on whether you are participating as an individual, as part of an informal group, or as a charitable organization:

• Individuals and informal groups: Scholarships are tax-free under certain conditions according to § 3 No. 44 of the German Income Tax Act. Recipients are responsible for properly declaring the scholarship, maintaining any insurance coverage, and obtaining necessary third-party consent, if required. Wikimedia Deutschland does not guarantee the tax exemption of the scholarship. If the scholarship is taxable, the stated amounts are gross amounts.
• Non-profit organizations: Charitable organizations are generally tax-exempt, so they typically do not have to pay taxes on the funding.

As a non-profit organization, Wikimedia Deutschland is tax-exempt—just like the non-profit organizations we aim to support through re·shape – A Wikimedia program to support knowledge equity. We require the requested documents as proof that donations have been used according to our charter.

The project funding for individuals is tied to individuals personally. If you want to apply as an informal group, you can do so. The €5,000 per project will be split among you as you wish. Up to three people per group can take part in the program and its events. Larger groups can also apply, but only three people can actively participate in the program.

Applications can be submitted from Monday, July 7, 2025, until Sunday, August 17, 2025 (11:59 p.m.). More information about the application process can be found here.

The program is aimed at individuals and communities who experience racism and have an interest in engaging with Free Knowledge. Both individuals aged 18 and older as well as groups, charitable initiatives, and organizations (e.g. associations, archives, networks) based in Germany can apply. Prior experience with free licenses and platforms of Free Knowledge is not required.

Projects from communities experiencing racism that aim to create more space and improve visibility for marginalized knowledge are eligible for funding if they aim to publish their results under a free license. A community connection is required, allowing knowledge to be shared autonomously. The format and focus of the project can be freely chosen. The selection of applications is based on the funding criteria.

We’ve kept the form as short as possible. The actual time will vary depending on your individual situation, but as a general guideline, you should plan for about 45–90 minutes. The form doesn’t have to be completed in one session—you can save your progress and return to it later. Correct grammar and spelling are not required for a successful application.

Wikimedia Deutschland offers a wide range of support opportunities for community engagement related to Wikipedia. These include literature grants, technical equipment loans, help organizing events, and reimbursement for travel to community meet-ups. Detailed information can be found on the Community Portal under Funding [link: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Wikimedia_Deutschland/Community-Portal/F%C3%B6rderung].

Feel free to email us your questions at: reshape@wikimedia.de. If needed, we can arrange a one-on-one phone consultation.

We are also offering a one-hour online information session via Zoom during the application period:
Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at 6:30 p.m.
To register, simply email us at reshape@wikimedia.de with the subject line “Info Session”.