[FOSDEM] Funding the FOSS Ecosystem - devroom CfP

[Paloma Oliveira]

On behalf of the Funding the FOSS Ecosystem devroom I would like to announce that call for participation is now open ✧｡٩(ˊᗜˋ )و✧*｡
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We are pleased to announce the Call for Participation for the second "Funding the FOSS Ecosystem" devroom at FOSDEM 2026.
We bring together developers, maintainers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, donors and funders to explore various funding models and mechanisms that support the longevity and security of FOSS projects.
The goal of this devroom is for developers to gain insights into funding strategies, their feasibility, and communication with end-users, while companies, governments, inter-governmental and social organisations as well as individual donors are encouraged to better understand and support developer needs in FOSS projects.
We especially seek to help developers understand in which ways to fund their projects, and learn about the challenges on the way. 
This devroom is organised by FSFE <https://fsfe.org/>, Linux Foundation Europe <https://www.linuxfoundation.eu <https://www.linuxfoundation.eu/>>, NLnet <https://nlnet.nl/>, Prototype Fund <https://prototypefund.de/en/>, and Sovereign Tech Agency <https://www.sovereign.tech/. <https://www.sovereign.tech/>>

Topics and Criteria
The topic of your submission must be related to the topic of the devroom. We want to cover a wide range of perspectives on the topic, for example:

- What are strategies for positioning FOSS projects to clarify their value and unique offerings?
- How to access grants, investments, and alternative funding models for FOSS projects?
- What is/should be the roles of public and private sectors in FOSS funding?
- What is the impact of funding on developer well-being, project security, scalability, and innovation?
- How can we expand funding sources for FOSS?
- How can we engage more stakeholders in FOSS funding, such as industry, governments, and intergovernmental organizations?

Therefore the criteria for accepted talks would be:

- Does it align with the topic of the devroom?
- Does it provide a unique or under-represented perspective?
- Is it engaging and accessible to a wide audience OR demonstrate significant impact to FOSS maintainers and contributors?

No self-promotional talks.

Please make sure you are able to attend FOSDEM, as there won't be remote or pre-recorded talks accepted.

Submission Guide
All submissions are made in the FOSDEM 2026 pretalx <https://pretalx.fosdem.org/fosdem-2026/cfp> website. Please select the **"Funding the FOSS Ecosystem"** as the track.

Your submission must include the following information :

- Name
- Short bio
- Contact info
- Title
- Abstract
- Duration (Please make sure to not submit talks that are over 30 minutes as those will be disqualified)

Important Dates
Submission open: 31 October
Submission deadline: December 1, 2025
Acceptance notifications: December 8, 2025
Final schedule announcement: December 15, 2025
"Funding the FOSS Ecosystem" Devroom: January 31 (Saturday)

Code of Conduct

We'd like to remind all speakers and attendees that all of the presentations and discussions in our devroom are held under the guidelines set in the FOSDEM Code of Conduct <https://fosdem.org/2026/practical/conduct/> and we expect attendees, speakers, and volunteers to read, understand and follow the FOSDEM CoC at all times.

If you submit a proposal and it is accepted, you will be required to confirm that you accept the FOSDEM CoC. If you have any questions about the FOSDEM CoC, please email us and we will do our best to assist you.



Contact Us

Members of the organising team:

FSFE <https://fsfe.org/about/contact.en.html>

Linux Foundation Europe <https://linuxfoundation.eu/en/about>

NLnet <https://nlnet.nl/contact/>

Prototype Fund <https://prototypefund.de/en/>

Sovereign Tech Agency <mailto:info at sovereign.tech>



Volunteering

FOSDEM is a free event for software developers to meet, share ideas and collaborate. Every year, the FOSDEM team is assisted by an enthusiastic team of volunteers to help out with various tasks and make the event a fun and safe place for all our visitors. There are some benefits to being a volunteer, but most importantly you help make FOSDEM possible!

Visit <https://volunteers.fosdem.org/> to sign up.



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Paloma Oliveira (she/her | sie/ ihr)
Technologist Sovereign Tech Agency
https://sovereign.tech

Sovereign Tech Agency GmbH

Gartenstr. 7, 10115 Berlin

Managing Directors: Adriana Groh & Luisa
von Beust Berlin Charlottenburg District
Court - HRB 268739 - VAT**:**
DE346614449

https://www.sovereign.tech/disclaimer

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