Annual Report 2024/Story: Applications – Our work has been greatly successful!
In this story, we focus on how our work on project grant applications has been very successful this year and that we continue to build on this work.
The association has many ambitious projects and initiatives underway, all of which require funding to implement. Funding from the Wikimedia Foundation and various project grants is essential for scaling our work, but there is a challenge if the association's finances become too dependent on a small number of funders. Changes in funders' priorities could significantly impact the association if funding can no longer be secured or if a funder's new focus forces the association to prioritize different types of projects to secure project grants. To address this challenge, Wikimedia Sverige has continued working to ensure long-term financial and operational sustainability through a diverse range of funders and revenue streams. See also the story Fundraising – strategic investments for long-term development
This year, particular focus has been placed on developing fundraising and membership recruitment efforts. To create better conditions for effective and long-term fundraising, technical solutions have been implemented, and communication has been strengthened. An important step in this process was the adoption of the new Ideas Program at the 2024 Annual General Meeting, which provides the association with a clearer identity and a framework for explaining its work in a more accessible way.
Another key part of this year's work has been to increase and diversify the income secured through grant applications. The work of identifying and applying for external funding was particularly prioritized during the first half of the year. This included applications to funders we had not previously approached, such as the Swedish Inheritance Fund, as well as preparations for applications to Erasmus+ and SIDA.
The application process was exceptionally successful, resulting in the association securing a total of 23,35 million SEK in funding (including the next WCF grant), with a success rate of 99.74% (of the total amount applied for). Additionally, the association's project partners received 2.1 million SEK for work related to free knowledge.
| Total | granted | 23 354 606 |
| rejected | 60 500 | |
| Percentage (of funds applied for) | granted | 99,74% |
| rejected | 0,26% | |
| Percentage (of number of applications) | granted (n=11) | 90,91 % |
| rejected (n=1) | 9,09 % |
In addition to our own applications, the association was also part of four applications submitted by other organizations. These had a total budget of almost 16 million SEK, of which two applications were approved and provided 11.6 million SEK in grants. By strategically designing project applications together with partner organizations, the association has contributed to more actors being able to prioritize work with free knowledge, which in turn strengthens the long-term development of the area.
We have had initial success in developing applications for large multi-year projects with an international angle. We will therefore continue investing in this area. We plan to further develop our expertise through involvement in e.g. ForumCiv and by engaging new staff and/or contractors to apply for even more grants and to actively develop our network. Hopefully, this will enable our very high success rate to help secure even more funding for our important work.
The fact that almost all the money applied for was secured is of course exceptionally unusual and was not expected. The association's financial situation is therefore good for several years to come. However, securing so much money comes with its own challenges; a controller will join our team in 2025 to strengthen our ability to report to all funders on an ongoing basis. We will also need to look at hiring additional project staff or bringing in contractors to be able to implement all the projects.
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