Open Source Initiative

OSI Signs Open Letter Calling on Higher Education to Reclaim Its Digital Future - Open Source Initiative The Open Source Initiative (OSI) has signed the Open Letter to the Higher Education Community, joining a growing coalition of educators, technologists, nonprofit leaders, and institutions calling for renewed leadership and intentional investment in open solutions across higher education.

The OSI has signed the Open Letter to the Higher Education Community, calling for renewed leadership and intentional investment in open solutions across higher education. https://opensource.org/blog/osi-signs-open-letter-calling-on-higher-education-to-reclaim-its-digital-future

Google Summer of Code 2026: Advancing Open Source Through Mentorship - Open Source Initiative The Open Source Initiative (OSI) is proud to highlight Google Summer of Code (GSoC) 2026, a global program that continues to strengthen Open Source communities by pairing new contributors with experienced mentors.

The Open Source Initiative is proud to highlight Google Summer of Code 2026, a global program that continues to strengthen Open Source communities by pairing new contributors with experienced mentors. https://opensource.org/blog/google-summer-of-code-2026-advancing-open-source-through-mentorship

Open Source Endowment — World’s First Endowment Fund for OSS The Open Source Endowment provides truly sustainable funding for critical open source software through a community-driven endowment model.

The Open Source Initiative welcomes Open Source Endowment (OSE), the world's first endowment fund dedicated to sustainably funding critical open source software. https://endowment.dev/

From Brussels to the World: Open Source as a Global Asset - Open Source Initiative Members Newsletter – February 2026 Members of OSI staff and board members joined developers, policymakers, foundations, and civil society leaders in Brussels for FOSDEM 2026 and the series of policy and community events that surround it in what is now known as EU Open Source Week.

The questions being worked through in Europe today may shape open source practice worldwide, underscoring the importance of continued open, participatory governance and international cooperation. https://opensource.org/blog/from-brussels-to-the-world-open-source-as-a-global-asset

Europe’s Open Source Opportunity: our vision for the EU Open Digital Ecosystems strategy - Open Source Initiative The OSI submitted its feedback to the Open Digital Ecosystems strategy, which comes at a time when both Open Source communities and the European Union face unprecedented challenges. We highlighted the benefits of Open Source for Europe, and how to leverage them in a way that strengthens Open Source communities.

The OSI submitted its feedback to the Open Digital Ecosystems strategy. We highlighted the benefits of Open Source for Europe, and how to leverage them in a way that strengthens Open Source communities.

The FOSDEM video recording from the session "The Fediverse and the EU's Digital Services Act: solving the challenges of modern social media?" is now live: https://fosdem.org/2026/schedule/event/W8RCMT-the_fediverse_and_the_eus_digital_services_act_solving_the_challenges_of_modern_/

Former OSI Board Director Stefano Zacchiroli alongside Software Heritage co-founder Roberto Di Cosmo were awarded the Special Recognition for Community Impact at the European Open Source Awards: https://awards.europeanopensource.academy/

Open Source at the Heart of Europe’s (and the World’s) Digital Future - Open Source Initiative From Code & Compliance and the EU Open Source Academy Awards and Policy Summit, to multiple FOSDEM devrooms, the Open Source Initiative (OSI) engaged directly with the community throughout the week, convening conversations, contributing expertise, and reinforcing the importance of open governance in an increasingly regulated digital landscape.

From Code & Compliance and the EU Open Source Academy Awards & Policy Summit, to multiple FOSDEM devrooms, the OSI engaged directly with the European community, reinforcing the importance of Open Source. https://opensource.org/blog/open-source-at-the-heart-of-europes-and-the-worlds-digital-future

European Commission - Have your say European Commission - Have your say

Jordan Maris, OSI’s EU Policy Analyst, submitted feedback on the European Open Digital Ecosystem Strategy, highlighting Open Source as key to EU digital sovereignty, competitiveness, and growth:

🎉 Happy 28th birthday, Open Source Initiative (OSI)!

Thank you for advocating the benefits of #opensource and helping build a world where everyone can enjoy the freedoms and opportunities of open source software. 💚🐧

opensource.org

#opensource #OSI #Linux @opensource.org

Ensuring the Long-Term Sustainability of ClearlyDefined: OSI and AboutCode Sign MoU - Open Source Initiative OSI and AboutCode have formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that establishes a new collaborative approach to stewarding and sustaining the ClearlyDefined project.

OSI and AboutCode have formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding that establishes a new collaborative approach to stewarding and sustaining the ClearlyDefined project. https://opensource.org/blog/ensuring-the-long-term-sustainability-of-clearlydefined-osi-and-aboutcode-sign-mou

Deborah Bryant of @opensource.org warns about the creation of new, less open licenses that may restrict the important qualities of openness.

She acknowledges private companies as a critical to the open source community, while encouraging to foster a culture of participation among employees.

Deborah Bryant, Astor Nummelin Carlberg and @avilarenata.bsky.social launched the Open Technology Research, a joint initiative of OFE,
@opensource.org and @okfn.bsky.social.
The initiative will create a sustainable global platform for research, knowledge exchange, and policy engagement.

The Open Source & EU Policy devroom at FOSDEM will take place this Sunday. The devroom is organised by APELL, Eclipse Foundation, Linux Foundation, Mozilla, OFE, OpenSSF, and the Open Source Initiative. https://fosdem.org/2026/schedule/track/open-source-eu-policy/

2026 OSI Elections Update - Open Source Initiative Pausing the 2026 Board Election Cycle to Improve How OSI Selects Directors and Hears the Community

Pausing the 2026 Board Election cycle to improve how OSI selects Directors and hears the community https://opensource.org/blog/2026-osi-elections-update

The EU Open Source Policy Summit – The only conference bringing Open Source and policy together.

Headed to Brussels! 🇪🇺 On Jan 30, OSI Executive Director Deb Bryant and Board Director Ruth Suehle will join the EU Open Source Policy Summit 2026 panel “Europe as the World’s Home for Open Source.” https://summit.openforumeurope.org/

Open Source Software, Public Policy, and the Stakes of Getting It Right - Open Source Initiative Over the past few years, OSI has built out a dedicated public policy function in both the United States and Europe. A core part of OSI’s policy work is education. This includes meeting directly with lawmakers, responding to public consultations and requests for information, and producing short, targeted resources designed specifically for policy audiences.

OSI has built a strong public policy function in the US and Europe, with education at its core: meeting with lawmakers, responding to consultations, and creating targeted resources for policymakers. https://opensource.org/blog/open-source-software-public-policy-and-the-stakes-of-getting-it-right

Top 50 Open Source Conferences in 2026 - Open Source Initiative The top 50+ Open Source conferences of 2026 that the Open Source Initiative (OSI) is tracking, including events that intersect with AI, cloud, cybersecurity, and policy.

The top 50+ Open Source conferences of 2026 that the Open Source Initiative (OSI) is tracking, including events that intersect with AI, cloud, cybersecurity, and policy. https://opensource.org/blog/top-50-open-source-conferences-in-2026

We've teamed up with APELL, Eclipse Foundation, Linux Foundation Europe, Mozilla, OpenForum Europe, and OpenSSF to bring you the Open Source & EU Policy devroom at #FOSDEM26! https://fosdem.org/2026/schedule/track/open-source-eu-policy/

OSI Board director Ruth Suehle will be in Brussels on January 30th for EU Open Source Policy Summit 2026. She will be part of the panel "Europe as the World’s Home for Open Source." Register now: https://summit.openforumeurope.org/

Carrying Open Collaboration into the Year Ahead Members Newsletter – January 2026 In this month’s newsletter, we share 2025’s most sought after licenses; reflect on the work still ahead for OSAID; news from the policy team; and look-backs on the year by many of our affiliate organizations.

In this month’s newsletter, we share 2025’s most sought after licenses; reflect on the work still ahead for OSAID; news from the policy team; and look-backs on the year by many of our affiliates. https://opensource.org/blog/carrying-open-collaboration-into-the-year-ahead

Virtual event happening today: Open Source in 2026 by Punch Tape Consulting. OSI Senior US Policy Manager Katie Steen-James will be joining several OSI affiliates to discuss the future of #OpenSource: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7391480824744951808

Open Policy Alliance Welcomes the Open Source Technology Improvement Fund as New Member The Open Source Initiative (OSI) is pleased to welcome the Open Source Technology Improvement Fund (OSTIF) to the Open Policy Alliance. OSTIF is a nonprofit dedicated to securing Open Source apps.

Joining the Open Policy Alliance enables OSTIF to contribute further to the ecosystem and increase the exposure and education of the general public to open source. https://opensource.org/blog/open-policy-alliance-welcomes-the-open-source-technology-improvement-fund-as-new-member

Deborah Bryant, OSI's interim ED, will be in Brussels on January 30th for the EU Open Source Policy Summit 2026. She will part of the panel "Europe as the World’s Home for Open Source." Register today: https://summit.openforumeurope.org/

Patents and Open Source: Understanding the Risks and Available Solutions The Open Source community has spent two decades building the scaffolding to make patent threats rare and containable. Developers who understand that landscape can focus on what they do best: innovating in the open, confident that the legal ground beneath them is far more stable than any patent myths suggest.

The Open Source community has spent two decades building the scaffolding to make patent threats rare and containable. Developers who understand that can focus on what they do best: innovating in the open

Top Open Source licenses in 2025 The top 20 OSI-Approved licenses most frequently sought out by our community in 2025 based on number of pageviews.

The top 20 OSI-Approved licenses most frequently sought out by our community in 2025 based on number of pageviews. https://opensource.org/blog/top-open-source-licenses-in-2025

The video recording of the session "Open Source AI and open washing" by OSI Board member Carlo Piana at Luxembourg's Open Source Conference is now available: https://peertube.opencloud.lu/w/jbPdfztnEcUqDjtn2E1EpQ

Celebrating Generosity and Growth in the OSI Community Members Newsletter – December 2025 As we reach the final weeks of the year, I find myself reflecting on a season that invites both gratitude and giving, two values that feel especially resonant for our community. Serving as Interim Executive Director these past months has only deepened my appreciation for the people who make Open Source possible.

From OSI's ED Deb Bryant: As we reach the final weeks of the year, I find myself reflecting on a season that invites both gratitude and giving, two values that feel especially resonant for our community. https://opensource.org/blog/celebrating-generosity-and-growth-in-the-osi-community

Open Source Without Borders: Reflections from COSCon’25 Reflections from COSCon′25: Witnessing China’s Deepseek moment firsthand and learning about Kaiyuanshe’s dedication for over a decade building and championing China’s Open Source community with such vision and commitment is truly inspiring.

Witnessing China’s Deepseek moment firsthand and learning about Kaiyuanshe’s dedication for over a decade building China's Open Source community with such vision and commitment is truly inspiring. https://opensource.org/blog/open-source-without-borders-reflections-from-coscon25

DPGA’s Annual Members Meeting: Advancing Open Source & DPGs for the Public Good The DPGA’s Annual Members Meeting highlighted several priorities that resonate strongly with OSI’s mission, including promoting Open Source software, advancing public-interest AI, and strengthening global collaboration.

DPGA’s AMM highlighted several priorities that resonate strongly with OSI’s mission, including promoting Open Source software, advancing public-interest AI, and strengthening global collaboration. https://opensource.org/blog/dpgas-annual-members-meeting-advancing-open-source-dpgs-for-the-public-good