# 2025 Barcamp Session Proposal: OpenRefine & Wikimedia Communities **URL:** \ **Category:** Events\ **Tags:** barcamp-2025\ **Created:** [July 17, 2025, 3:05pm UTC](https://forum.openrefine.org/t/2025-barcamp-session-proposal-openrefine-wikimedia-communities/2425 "2025-07-17T15:05:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ej2432](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex017/user_avatar/forum.openrefine.org/ej2432/32/480_2.png) [@ej2432](https://forum.openrefine.org/u/ej2432)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2025, 3:05pm UTC](https://forum.openrefine.org/t/2025-barcamp-session-proposal-openrefine-wikimedia-communities/2425/1 "2025-07-17T15:05:12Z")
**Title:** OpenRefine & Wikimedia Communities **Type:** Discussion **Abstract:** Since the last BarCamp, Advisory Committee members have started the process of setting up an [OpenRefine Wikimedia User Group](https://forum.openrefine.org/t/creating-an-openrefine-wikimedia-group/2132). We have identified two community members to serve as the primary points of contact for the group and now must go through the process of [starting a group](https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedia_user_groups/Creation_guide) and having it be approved. In this session, we plan to discuss where we are in this process, get feedback from the OpenRefine community, and generally raise awareness about this initiative. We will also discuss outreach to existing Wikimedia community members who may not be OpenRefine forum members. We also want to engage the OpenRefine and Wikimedia developer communities in order to come up with workflows and processes by which bugs and issues related to wiki integrations can be triaged, addressed, and completed. Beyond developer engagement, we would like to discuss ways by which existing documentation can be strengthened and new documentation can be created, as well as workflows by which community members can help with testing for new features. **Facilitator name(s):** Esther Jackson, Rory Sawyer ---
**Author:** ![Martin](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex017/user_avatar/forum.openrefine.org/martin/32/7_2.png) [@Martin](https://forum.openrefine.org/u/Martin)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2025, 4:37pm UTC](https://forum.openrefine.org/t/2025-barcamp-session-proposal-openrefine-wikimedia-communities/2425/2 "2025-09-08T16:37:33Z")
Merged with this session: [2025 Barcamp Session Proposal: OpenRefine and Wikimedia Integration Discussion](https://forum.openrefine.org/t/2025-barcamp-session-proposal-openrefine-and-wikimedia-integration-discussion/2394) **Description** OpenRefine’s [Commons Extension](https://github.com/OpenRefine/CommonsExtension) and the Wikibase / Wikidata support have created powerful workflows for Wikimedians to reconcile, enrich, and publish datasets with Wikimedia Commons and Wikidata. In this session, we would like to hear directly from the Wikimedia community members about their perspectives and needs. Depending on the community interest, we can have one or multiple sessions to - Explore how we can support existing code bases like the [Commons Extension](https://github.com/OpenRefine/CommonsExtension) or the [proposal to split out Wikibase code](https://github.com/OpenRefine/OpenRefine/issues/5282) along with maintaining training material and running workshops. - Review features request identified in the [Wikimedia goal posts](https://openrefine.org/docs/technical-reference/wikimedia-goal-posts) and the [Prioritisation of Wikimedia Sverige's development work](https://forum.openrefine.org/t/prioritisation-of-wikimedia-sveriges-development-work/1803) (this can also be a triage party session) - Discuss how [Creating an OpenRefine Wikimedia Group](https://forum.openrefine.org/t/creating-an-openrefine-wikimedia-group/2132) can help in the process. **Format** : Open discussion with Wikimedia participants and the OpenRefine project team. Feedback on the session format and content is welcome. ---
**Author:** ![ej2432](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex017/user_avatar/forum.openrefine.org/ej2432/32/480_2.png) [@ej2432](https://forum.openrefine.org/u/ej2432)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2025, 2:08pm UTC](https://forum.openrefine.org/t/2025-barcamp-session-proposal-openrefine-wikimedia-communities/2425/3 "2025-09-10T14:08:39Z")
Presentation: [OpenRefine + Wikimedia.pdf](https://forum.openrefine.org/uploads/short-url/fjp09mh2feuNTd4caww5M1rKaUe.pdf) (5.1 MB) and [session notes in etherpad](https://etherpad.wikimedia.org/p/openrefine-barcamp-wikimedia-communities) ---
**Author:** ![Martin](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex017/user_avatar/forum.openrefine.org/martin/32/7_2.png) [@Martin](https://forum.openrefine.org/u/Martin)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2026, 7:45pm UTC](https://forum.openrefine.org/t/2025-barcamp-session-proposal-openrefine-wikimedia-communities/2425/4 "2026-03-12T19:45:27Z")
_clean up notes from the [pad](https://etherpad.wikimedia.org/p/openrefine-barcamp-wikimedia-communities#L1)_ ## Background Participants discussed efforts to formalize the **OpenRefine–Wikimedia community connection** - [Creating an OpenRefine Wikimedia Group](https://forum.openrefine.org/t/creating-an-openrefine-wikimedia-group/2132/) - Public group notes: [Running Notes - Wikimedia Group planning](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dtmOmW8oPihR33mDWBeCpEo9RmE4ubCpWVTHb3Dch2A/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.rzdohwc6jniq) A previous attempt to obtain support from Wikimedia was unsuccessful ([Grant Opportunity: Wikimedia Community Fund:](https://forum.openrefine.org/t/grant-opportunity-wikimedia-community-fund/1728)), partly due to a shift in priorities on the Wikimedia side. However, OpenRefine already has a larger user community than some Wikimedia affiliates that have received support, so formalizing the group could still be promising. The **recognition process for new Wikimedia groups is currently paused**. Work on this initiative continues so that the community is ready if and when the process resumes (reported in the chat as paused until March 31, 2026). Formalizing the group could also help strengthen collaboration between the OpenRefine and Wikimedia communities and support wider adoption of OpenRefine. ## Collaboration challenges Work at the intersection of OpenRefine and Wikimedia often requires knowledge of both ecosystems. For example, addressing an issue in the [Commons extension](https://github.com/OpenRefine/CommonsExtension) requires familiarity with both OpenRefine and Wikimedia Commons workflows. At the same time, OpenRefine is recognized as a safe contribution tool for Wikimedia projects, and **the group aims to provide continued support for Wikimedia-related workflows in OpenRefine.** ## Surfacing and routing issues Participants discussed where users should report issues or ask questions. One challenge is that users may not know whether a problem relates to: - OpenRefine - a Wikimedia project - a specific extension - a particular workflow The **OpenRefine forum** was seen as a useful entry point where questions can be asked and then routed to the appropriate place. Double-posting across platforms can also be acceptable, since it helps surface issues to the relevant communities. Other places where support questions appear include: - Telegram groups - Wikidata community channels - GitHub repositories A key question is how to **collect and preserve knowledge** when discussions happen across many platforms. ## Ownership and maintenance of tools Some tools used at the intersection of OpenRefine and Wikimedia do not currently have clear ownership. Examples mentioned: - **Wikimedia reconciliation service** : currently maintained informally by Antonin - **Commons extension** : no official maintainer; Albin has been helping maintain it, including updates related to user-agent issues - **Wikibase extension** : discussion about moving it to a separate repository: [Move Wikibase extension to its own repository · Issue #5282 · OpenRefine/OpenRefine · GitHub](https://github.com/OpenRefine/OpenRefine/issues/5282) For comparison, some reconciliation services (such as [Getty](https://www.getty.edu/research/tools/vocabularies/obtain/openrefine.html)) are maintained directly by the organization that provides the data. ## Community support model Participants discussed the possibility of building a broader support model where: - General questions can be answered by many community members - More complex questions can be addressed by experienced contributors - Very complex issues may require developer involvement The forum should remain a **friendly entry point where users feel comfortable asking questions**. The group also discussed encouraging a stronger sense of **ownership within the Wikimedia community for tools connected to Wikimedia workflows**. ## Extension communication One idea raised was providing a **short template or questionnaire for extension maintainers** , including information such as: - where users should ask questions - whether issues should be reported on GitHub, the forum, or elsewhere - who to contact for support The forum could act as a **routing point for questions** , helping users find the appropriate place to continue the discussion. ## Connecting with Wikimedia groups A question raised during the session was how the OpenRefine community can reach out to Wikimedia user groups when feedback or attention is needed. Participants suggested: - tagging relevant community members in forum discussions or GitHub issues - identifying contact points within the Wikimedia user group Srihari suggested tagging members of the Wikimedia user group directly when appropriate. Related community page: [Wikimedians for software freedom - Meta-Wiki](https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedians_for_software_freedom)