Open Source Initiative

Open Education Week invites us to reflect on the idea that knowledge is most powerful when it is freely accessible, adaptable, and shared. It is a principle that open education and Open Source have always held in common. https://opensource.org/blog/open-education-and-the-shared-roots-of-openness

The OSI has standardized license URLs using SPDX identifiers, while carefully preserving compatibility with the many links that already exist across the web and tools. https://opensource.org/blog/osi-adopts-spdx-ids-for-license-urls

Open technologies are increasingly central to digital infrastructure and public policy, but research in the field remains fragmented. Open Technology Research is launching a global consultation to help shape a shared research agenda. https://opensource.org/blog/help-shape-the-research-agenda-for-open-technology

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

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

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/

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

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. https://opensource.org/blog/europes-open-source-opportunity-our-vision-for-the-eu-open-digital-ecosystems-strategy

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/

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

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: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/16213-European-Open-Digital-Ecosystems/F33369993_en

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

Together from Brussels, OSI, OpenForum Europe, and the Open Knowledge Foundation announced the official launch of Open Technology Research (OTR). The launch comes with the unveiling of a new website. https://opensource.org/blog/osi-joins-openforum-europe-and-the-open-knowledge-foundation-to-officially-launch-open-technology-research-initiative

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/

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

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/

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

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

OSI Staff and Board of Directors will in Brussels next week for FOSDEM and fringe events. We look forward to engaging with the European and global communities to advance Open Source in Europe and beyond! https://opensourceweek.eu/