The 2025 Wikimedian of the Year Awards Celebrate Outstanding Contributions to Wikimedia Projects
The annual global conference for volunteers on Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects, Wikimania, recently saw the presentation of the prestigious “Wikimedian of the Year” awards by Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales. These awards recognize exceptional individuals and communities who have made significant contributions to Wikimedia projects, helping to make reliable knowledge accessible to people around the world.
Volunteers from Cameroon, Canada, India, Côte d’Ivoire, Netherlands, Nigeria, Poland, and Singapore were honored for their efforts in supporting Wikimedia projects. These volunteers play a crucial role in creating and sharing information on notable subjects, ensuring that Wikipedia remains a trusted and valuable source of knowledge.
Wikipedia, one of the most-read websites globally, is powered by nearly 260,000 volunteers who work collaboratively to provide information in over 300 languages. Through open collaboration, these volunteers uphold Wikipedia’s editorial policies and guidelines, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the content available on the platform.
The winners of the 2025 Wikimedian of the Year awards represent a diverse and vibrant community that makes Wikimedia projects possible. From long-time contributors to newcomers, these individuals have demonstrated exemplary dedication, impactful contributions, and leadership within the Wikimedia community.
● The 2024 Wikimedian of the Year: Robertsky (Singapore)
Robertsky, recognized for his substantial contributions to English Wikipedia, has made over 79,000 edits focusing on Singapore-related topics. His efforts in maintaining the Index of Singapore-related articles and organizing local meetups have been instrumental in promoting knowledge sharing within the community.
● Wikimedia Laureate: Risker (Canada)
Risker, a veteran Wikipedia editor, has played a crucial role in shaping policies, improving technical tools, and supporting Wikimedia volunteers. Her contributions have helped create a more inclusive and supportive environment for volunteers across the platform.
● Media Contributor of the Year: 1Veertje (Netherlands)
1Veertje’s passion for photography has led to the contribution of over 86,000 photographs used across multiple language Wikipedias. Her technical skills and dedication to cataloging images have enriched the visual content available on Wikimedia projects.
● Newcomer of the Year: Dadrik (Côte d’Ivoire)
Dadrik, a newcomer to the Wikimedia community, has made remarkable contributions to articles related to Côte d’Ivoire and Africa. His efforts in training new volunteers and expanding the representation of Ivorian culture on Wikipedia have been commendable.
● Functionary of the Year: AramilFeraxa (Poland)
AramilFeraxa, a Wikimedia steward, plays a vital role in safeguarding Wikimedia projects and supporting communities across languages and regions. His behind-the-scenes work ensures the smooth and fair operation of Wikimedia projects.
● Tech Contributor of the Year: Eugene233 (Cameroon)
Eugene233’s dedication to training African volunteers in technical contributions has been instrumental in expanding the reach and impact of Wikimedia projects. His work on developing tools to enhance accessibility and support pronunciation has empowered volunteers across Africa.
In addition to the award winners, honorable mentions were given to Nitesh Gill (India) and Ammarpad (Nigeria) for their significant contributions to the Wikimedia community. Nitesh’s focus on writing biographies of women and organizing empowerment programs for South Asian women has had a profound impact on Wikimedia projects. Ammarpad’s technical expertise and contributions to software development have strengthened the infrastructure of Wikimedia projects.
The 2025 Wikimedian of the Year awards celebrate the dedication and passion of volunteers who work tirelessly to make reliable knowledge accessible to people worldwide. Their contributions are essential in upholding the values of open collaboration and knowledge sharing that define the Wikimedia community.
