WikiConference India 2026
WikiConference India 2026 is the fourth edition of the national-level conference that brings together Wikimedians and stakeholders engaged in Indic-language Wikimedia projects and the broader movement across India and parts of South Asia. The conference will take place in Kochi, Kerala from 4th- 6th September 2026.
The theme for WCI 2026 is "Reimagining the Knowledge Commons" - Community Leadership in an Evolving Wikimedia Ecosystem. As we navigate an era of rapid technological shifts and evolving social landscapes, this theme invites the community to look beyond the traditional boundaries of a digital encyclopedia. Reimagining the commons means viewing our movement as a living ecosystem - one that must be resilient, inclusive, and forward-thinking.
Our Core Objectives
- Community Leadership in the trend of AI:
- In a time of declining trust in online information and the rapid rise of AI-generated content, strengthening community-led, human-created knowledge becomes more critical than ever.
- Empowering regional languages and local knowledge:
- Reimagining the knowledge commons is not only about tools or platforms- it is also about leadership. It is about ensuring that regional languages, local knowledge systems, and underrepresented histories remain at the heart of the global movement.
- Innovative models for open-access participation:
- It encourages us to think beyond traditional editing and explore new ways of participation and knowledge creation that reflect the diversity of India and South Asia.
- Bridging Knowledge Gaps:
- Moving beyond text-based knowledge to incorporate oral traditions, diverse media, and collaborative cultural documentation.
Timeline
- Submission of Conference Grant (Sept 1st, 2025)
- Response to the initial feedback on the proposal (Sept 29th, 2025)
- Response to the initial feedback on the proposal (Sept 29th, 2025)
- Received Approval of the Conference Grant (Dec 4th, 2025)
- Grant agreement signed between IIIT-Hyderabad and WMF (Dec 16th, 2025)
- Confirmed Conference Venue (Jan 15th, 2026)
- Received Grant to IIIT-Hyderabad (Jan 21st, 2026)
- Sign up to volunteer for the organizational tasks
- Grant agreement signed between IIIT-Hyderabad and WMF (Dec 16th, 2025)
- Onboarding of COT members and Committee Members
- Scholarship application is closed on 15th April 2026 11:59 PM IST