Main Projects / Activities

Wikimedia Israel is the only organization in Israel certified to operate on behalf of the Wikimedia Foundation, which hosts Wikipedia and its affiliated content-sharing platforms. The organization works in partnership with schools, leading universities, and national institutions, enabling broad access to its programs among diverse populations, including high school students, university students, pensioners, and individuals on the autism spectrum.

Its programs empower participants to become active content creators rather than passive consumers, contributing to the creation and expansion of Wikipedia encyclopedia entries across a wide range of subjects and reaching millions of Hebrew- and Arabic-speaking users. Participants also develop 21st-Century research, reading and writing skills, alongside linguistic and digital literacies, in a learning process that generates change. In addition, the programs create opportunities for shared dialogue and more equitable participation in knowledge creation, amplifying diverse voices beyond the boundaries of formal systems.

School Students Writing for Wikipedia - In partnership with dozens of Jewish and Arab junior high and high schools across the country, Wikimedia Israel has developed a comprehensive program in which students create or improve high-quality encyclopedia entries for Wikipedia. The program includes dedicated teacher training (particularly for Arabic-speaking educators), as well as ongoing guidance and support throughout implementation. Through this process, students engage in meaningful, hands-on learning while developing research, reading, and writing skills alongside key 21st-Century competencies, including critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication, and digital literacy.
For many participants, this is often their first experience with a rigorous research and content-creation process, empowering them to become active contributors to public knowledge.

Promoting High-Quality Academic Content - Is implemented in partnership with universities across Israel, including the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, University of Haifa, and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. Students create or improve encyclopedia entries as part of mandatory academic assignments across a wide range of disciplines. The program develops key skills in research, critical thinking, and writing, enabling students to translate academic knowledge into accessible content for the general public. Through a structured process of drafting, feedback, and revision, participants become active contributors to public knowledge. Final entries are published on Wikipedia, expanding access to high-quality, reliable information.

Promoting Intercultural Dialogue among Jewish and Arab University Students through Wikipedia - Launched in 2023, this program brings Jewish and Arab university students together through collaborative academic work, building on Wikimedia Israel’s established university program. Students work in mixed teams as part of mandatory coursework to create or improve encyclopedia entries on Wikipedia in Hebrew and/or Arabic.
The program is informed by aChord research, which shows that collaboration on shared academic tasks is a strong predictor of developing shared identity and positive intergroup relations. Through a structured process of research, writing, and peer collaboration, participants develop key academic skills while fostering openness, mutual understanding, and meaningful intercultural connections.
In light of the program’s success, both in terms of its academic contribution and its impact in fostering connections and friendships among Jewish and Arab student participants, Wikimedia Israel is working to scale the program by increasing its annual scope, expanding partnerships with additional academic institutions, engaging underrepresented groups such as Druze and Bedouin students, building a network of committed educators, and sharing the program’s model and impact in international forums.

Wikimedia Israel Writing Courses - This series of specialized writing courses for diverse populations enables participants to create and edit high-quality content for Wikipedia. Through a structured course of 12 lessons (six synchronous and six asynchronous), participants learn how to research, write, and publish encyclopedia entries while developing linguistic, digital, and critical thinking skills.
The courses are tailored to specific groups, including pensioners and individuals on the autism spectrum, with adaptations to meet their unique needs. Participants receive ongoing support from experienced editors and are encouraged to join the Wikipedia community.
The program promotes active knowledge creation, social engagement, and lifelong learning, with many participants continuing to contribute independently, enhancing both their personal development and public access to reliable information.

Wikimedia Israel has also designed a series of critical thinking workshops for 7-12-grade students, equipping them with practical tools and skills to navigate the digital and AI-driven world. The workshops aim to foster independent, analytical thinking and strengthen students’ ability to evaluate information sources, identify AI-generated content, distinguish between facts and opinions, and form well-informed perspectives.

The WikiGLAM program aims to increase the visibility and accessibility of high-quality cultural content from Israeli GLAM institutions (galleries, libraries, archives, and museums) by integrating it into Wikipedia and other Wikimedia platforms. Despite holding extensive cultural assets, many institutions lack the tools and capacity to share their content openly and effectively online.
To address this, Wikimedia Israel developed the WikiGLAM Dashboard, a digital tool that enables institutions to track and analyze how their content is used and accessed. Alongside the tool, the program provides training, guidance on copyright and open-access practices, and ongoing professional support to build institutional capacity.
Through this combined approach, the program enhances public access to cultural heritage, increases institutions’ visibility and engagement, and supports their role as active contributors to the global knowledge ecosystem.

Wikimedia Israel is continually assessing its projects and activities to identify sustainable, impactful areas for growth and development.