View source for FOSDEM

{{short description|Annual software engineering conference}}
{{Primary sources|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox recurring event
| name               = Free and Open source Software Developers' European Meeting
| logo               = Logo of FOSDEM (with text).svg
| genre              = Software engineering conference
| location           = 
| country            = [[Belgium]]
| venue              = {{Interlanguage link|Campus Solbosch|nl|3=Campus Solbosch}} of the [[Université Libre de Bruxelles]] (ULB), [[Brussels]]
| first              = {{start date|2000}} (as OSDEM), {{start date|2001}} (as FOSDEM)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://fosdem.org/2016/about/ | title= about FOSDEM}}</ref>
| next               = [https://fosdem.org/2026/ 31 January - 1 February 2026]
| prev               = [https://fosdem.org/2025 1-2 February 2025]
| website            = {{Official URL}}
}}

'''Free and Open source Software Developers' European Meeting''' ('''FOSDEM''') is an annual [[software engineering]] conference. It is non-commercial and volunteer-organized with a focus on [[free and open-source software]]. Initiated in 2000, it is usually held during the first weekend of February,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Voronova |first=Arya |date=2023-03-01 |title=FOSDEM 2023: An Open-Source Conference, Literally |url=https://hackaday.com/2023/03/01/fosdem-2023-an-open-source-conference-literally/ |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=[[Hackaday]] |language=en-US}}</ref> at the {{Interlanguage link|Campus Solbosch|nl|3=Campus Solbosch}} of the [[Université Libre de Bruxelles]] (ULB) in the southeast of [[Brussels|Brussels, Belgium]].

[[File:FOSDEM - The organization with open software of the largest existing free conference for software developers (ENG).ogg|thumb|Richard (RichiH) Hartmann and Basti Schubert explain the organization of FOSDEM with free software, 02/2023.]]

==History==
{{anchor|OSDEM|2001|2002|2004|2004|2005|2006|2007|2008|2009|2010|2011|2012|2013|2014|2015|2016|2017|2018|2019|2020|2021|2022|2023|2024}}
FOSDEM was started in 2000<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fosdem.org/2018/about/|title=FOSDEM 2018 – About FOSDEM|website=fosdem.org|language=en|access-date=2018-01-27}}</ref> under the name Open Source Developers of Europe Meeting (OSDEM) by [[Raphael Bauduin]].  Bauduin said that since he felt he lacked the brains to properly contribute to the open-source community, he wanted to contribute by launching a European event in Brussels.  Bauduin teamed up with [[Damien Sandras]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://blog.ekiga.net/?p=53 | title=FOSDEM 2007 over | access-date=2015-02-01 | archive-date=2015-02-01 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201141725/http://blog.ekiga.net/?p=53 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
The team repeated the event.  The F (of FOSDEM) was added at the request of [[Richard Stallman]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.freehackers.org/Fosdem_2002:_Fosdem_organiser_interview |title=Fosdem 2002: Fosdem organiser interview |access-date=2011-03-16 }}</ref>

The [[Free Software Foundation]]'s ceremony for the [[Award for the Advancement of Free Software]] was held at FOSDEM from 2002 to 2006 (for the awards for 2001 to 2005).<ref>{{cite web |author=GNU Project |date=26 September 2008 |title=Prior Years' Free Software Award |url=https://www.gnu.org/award/ |access-date=16 March 2011 |publisher=Free Software Foundation}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Sullivan |first=John |title=Award for the Advancement of Free Software |url=http://www.fsf.org/awards/fs-award |access-date=16 March 2011 |publisher=Free Software Foundation}}</ref>

The event has been held annually in February since then, with growing numbers of visitors, talks and [[Academic conference#Size|tracks]]. It is organized thanks to the help of many volunteers.

The conference attracted about 4,000 visitors as of 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.fosdem.org/2011/about/fosdem |publisher=FOSDEM |title=About FOSDEM |access-date=16 March 2011 |year=2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930085757/http://archive.fosdem.org/2011/about/fosdem |archive-date=30 September 2011 }}</ref> By 2013 this grew to 5,000 attendees.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About FOSDEM 2013 |url=https://archive.fosdem.org/2013/about/ |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=archive.fosdem.org |language=en}}</ref> Since 2017, FOSDEM attendance is estimated at over 8,000 visitors.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home - FOSDEM 2017 |url=https://archive.fosdem.org/2017/ |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=archive.fosdem.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Home - FOSDEM 2024 |url=https://archive.fosdem.org/2024/ |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=archive.fosdem.org |language=en}}</ref>[[File:FOSDEM 2017 in Room J.jpg|thumb|FOSDEM 2017]]Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], FOSDEM 2021 and 2022 were held entirely online.<ref>{{Cite web |title=FOSDEM 2021 Online |url=https://fosdem.org/2021/practical/online/ |access-date=2021-02-03 |website=fosdem.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=FOSDEM 2022 Online |url=https://archive.fosdem.org/2022/news/2021-10-22-fosdem-online-2022/ |access-date=2022-09-25 |website=fosdem.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |last=Verhelst |first=Wouter |title=FOSDEM Conference Infrastructure |date=2022 |url=https://av.tib.eu/media/57001 |access-date=2025-01-19 |others=Kyle Robbertze |language=en |doi=10.5446/57001}}</ref>

In the following editions (2023 to 2025) of FOSDEM the main structure comprised keynotes, main tracks, developer rooms,<ref>{{Cite web |title=FOSDEM 2024 - Institute of Citizen Science |url=https://icssw.org/en/2024/02/16/fosdem-2024-2/ |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en}}</ref> lightning talks, stands and Birds Of a Feather (BOF, which is a freer format spread over 3 different rooms). As in previous editions, the activities were held at the Université Libre de Bruxelles using a total of 35 rooms.<ref>{{Citation |last=Hartmann |first=Richard |title=FOSDEM infrastructure review |date=2023 |url=https://av.tib.eu/media/61517 |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en |doi=10.5446/61517 |last2=Schubert |first2=Basti}}</ref>

=== FOSDEM 2023 ===
Source:<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-04 |title=FOSDEM 2023 {{!}} Interoperable Europe Portal |url=https://interoperable-europe.ec.europa.eu/collection/open-source-observatory-osor/event/fosdem-2023 |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=interoperable-europe.ec.europa.eu |language=en}}</ref>

It was organised again in Brussels, celebrating 25 years of open source,<ref>{{Citation |last=Vidal |first=Nick |title=Celebrating 25 years of Open Source: Past, Present, and Future |date=2023 |url=https://av.tib.eu/media/61499 |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en |doi=10.5446/61499}}</ref> with a total of 787 speakers spread over 781 events, and 63 tracks. Beyond the core activities FOSDEM also organised the FOSDEM Fringe<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.fosdem.org/2023/fringe/|title=Fringe|website=archive.fosdem.org}}</ref>  as a set of independent events also related to free and open source. The number of attends was about 8000 for this edition, the two external keynotes speakers of this edition came from the [[Linux Foundation]] and [[NASA]] open source.<ref>{{Citation |last=Crawford |first=Steve |title=Open Source Software at NASA |date=2023 |url=https://av.tib.eu/media/61586 |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en |doi=10.5446/61586}}</ref>

=== FOSDEM 2024 ===
Source:<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-03 |title=FOSDEM 2024 {{!}} Interoperable Europe Portal |url=https://interoperable-europe.ec.europa.eu/collection/open-source-observatory-osor/event/fosdem-2024 |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=interoperable-europe.ec.europa.eu |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:FOSDEM 2024 welcome.jpg|thumb|View from the speaker's desk towards the audience during the opening keynote at FOSDEM 2024]]As usual, it was held in Brussels, with 948 speakers spread over 875 events and 67 themes, using the same infrastructure as the previous edition at the Université Libre de Bruxelles. The programme was similar to that of 2023 with a FOSDEM Fringe<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.fosdem.org/2024/fringe/|title=Fringe|website=archive.fosdem.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-05 |title=FOSDEM 2024 Fringe: FOSS license and security compliance tools - Open Collective |url=https://opencollective.com/aboutcode/events/fosdem-2024-fringe-workshop-on-foss-license-and-security-compliance-tools-ea75e63c |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=opencollective.com}}</ref> and a new set of activities named FOSDEM Junior<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.fosdem.org/2024/schedule/track/junior/|title=FOSDEM junior|website=archive.fosdem.org}}</ref> designed as workshops for children/teenagers from 7 to 17 years old.<ref>{{Cite web |last=info@klascement.net |first=KlasCement |date=2024-12-16 |title=Free open source workshops: FOSDEM junior |url=https://www.klascement.net/innovet/nascholing-of-activiteit/211499/free-open-source-workshops-fosdem-junior/?previous |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=KlasCement |language=nl}}</ref> The keynotes of this edition were about the historical value of women in technology<ref>{{Cite web |title=Where have the women of tech history gone? |url=https://archive.fosdem.org/2024/schedule/event/fosdem-2024-2850-where-have-the-women-of-tech-history-gone-/ |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=archive.fosdem.org |language=en}}</ref> by Laura Durieux<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-03 |title=Where have the women of tech history gone |url=https://www.oliviervandertoorn.nl/post/where_have_the_woman_of_tech_history_gone/ |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=lordievader's blog |language=en}}</ref> (a recurring topic of keynotes and talks in FOSDEM to improve social diversity in the FOSS communities<ref>{{Cite web |title=Impact Story Project/Action: Mentor leads developer room at annual FOSDEM in Brussels |url=https://www.techwomen.org/impact-story-project-action/mentor-leads-developer-room-at-annual-fosdem-in-brussels |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=TechWomen |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |last=Progri |first=Kristi |title=Diversity User Research and Women in Open Source: Becoming a Better Listener and Women in Open Source Technologies. Developing a deeper understanding of minorities in tech. |date=2018 |url=https://av.tib.eu/media/41983 |access-date=2025-01-19 |language=en |doi=10.5446/41983 |last2=Dwomoh |first2=Gloria}}</ref>) and the achievements of [[Outreachy]]. The [[Open Source Observatory and Repository|Open Source Observatory]] (OSOR) participated in several activities of the conference,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Open Source Observatory Newsletter |url=https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/joinup/newsletter-archives/50631 |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=ec.europa.eu}}</ref> among which was a satellite workshop.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-07 |title=Workshop on Open Source key areas for Digital Autonomy {{!}} Shaping Europe’s digital future |url=https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/events/workshop-open-source-key-areas-digital-autonomy |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu |language=en}}</ref>

=== FOSDEM 2025 ===
Source:<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |date=2025-02-01 |title=FOSDEM 2025 {{!}} Interoperable Europe Portal |url=https://interoperable-europe.ec.europa.eu/collection/open-source-observatory-osor/event/fosdem-2025 |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=interoperable-europe.ec.europa.eu |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-17 |title=FOSDEM 2025 |url=https://www.apc.org/en/event/fosdem-2025 |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=www.apc.org |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:FOSDEM 2025 Opening Talk from the speaker perspective.jpg|thumb|FOSDEM 2025 Opening Talk from the speaker perspective]]
[[File:FOSDEM 2025 Closing Talk from the top of the auditorium.jpg|thumb|alt=Wide angle photograph of the nearly full Jansen auditorium at ULB from the upper stairs looking down. Depicting people queueing on the sides to find an empty seats while the speaker prepares to give the FOSDEM 2025 Closing Talk.|FOSDEM 2025 Closing Talk from the top of the auditorium]]
As usual, it took place in Brussels with 1118 speakers spread over 1074 events and 78 tracks, showing that the size of the event is growing steadily. As usual beyond BoF,<ref>{{Cite web |title=NLnet; Let's meet at FOSDEM 2025 |url=https://nlnet.nl/events/20250201/FOSDEM/index.html |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=nlnet.nl}}</ref> also FOSDEM Fringe<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fosdem.org/2025/fringe/|title=Fringe|website=fosdem.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-31 |title=FOSDEM 2025 Fringe: FOSS license and security compliance tools workshop |url=https://workshop.aboutcode.org/ |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=workshop.aboutcode.org |language=en}}</ref> and FOSDEM Junior<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fosdem.org/2025/schedule/track/junior/|title=FOSDEM Junior|website=fosdem.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-28 |title=FOSDEM and FOSDEM junior 2025 |url=https://community.appinventor.mit.edu/t/fosdem-and-fosdem-junior-2025/130521 |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=MIT App Inventor Community |language=en}}</ref> has been organized. The number of keynotes at this edition has increased compared to 2023 and 2024. [[Jack Dorsey]]'s scheduled talk representing [[Block, Inc.]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Infusing Open Source Culture into Company DNA: A Conversation with Jack Dorsey and Manik Surtani, Block's head of Open Source |url=https://fosdem.org/2025/schedule/event/fosdem-2025-4507-infusing-open-source-culture-into-company-dna-a-conversation-with-jack-dorsey-and-manik-surtani-block-s-head-of-open-source/ |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=fosdem.org |language=en |archive-date=2025-01-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250118080131/https://fosdem.org/2025/schedule/event/fosdem-2025-4507-infusing-open-source-culture-into-company-dna-a-conversation-with-jack-dorsey-and-manik-surtani-block-s-head-of-open-source/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> caused controversy due to Dorsey's involvement in [[Acquisition of Twitter by Elon Musk|selling Twitter to Elon Musk]],<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Brockmeier |first=Joe |date=2025-01-28 |title=FOSDEM keynote causes concerns [LWN.net] |url=https://lwn.net/Articles/1006351/ |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=lwn.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Statement on planned protests during the upcoming FOSDEM 2025 |url=https://fosdem.org/2025/news/2025-01-16-protests/ |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=fosdem.org |language=en}}</ref> together with doubts about the actual background of the speaker in open-source activities,<ref name=":0" /> as well as, the ethical concerns of [[Block, Inc.]] current business.<ref>Mentioned in the original FOSDEM '25 protest statement by Drew Devault (https://drewdevault.com/2025/01/16/2025-01-16-No-Billionares-at-FOSDEM-please.html)</ref> The [[Open Source Observatory and Repository|Open Source Observatory]] (OSOR) of the European Commission<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-21 |title=Open Source Observatory (OSOR) {{!}} Interoperable Europe Portal |url=https://interoperable-europe.ec.europa.eu/collection/open-source-observatory-osor |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=interoperable-europe.ec.europa.eu |language=en}}</ref> participates in several developer rooms dedicated to policy and public use of open source.<ref name="auto"/>

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:FOSDEM'12 - Opening Talk.jpg|FOSDEM-2012 Opening Talk
File:2017-02 FOSDEM 12.jpg|FOSDEM 2017
File:FOSDEM 2024 03.jpg|FOSDEM 2024
File:FOSDEM 2024 01.jpg|FOSDEM-2024 Plenary Discussion-Talk
File:FOSDEM 2023 Bruxelles 77.jpg|FOSDEM-2023 Stickers at Vrije Universiteit Brussel.
File:FOSDEM 2024 02.jpg|FOSDEM 2024 Stands section
File:Outreachy organizers celebrate 1,000 interns at FOSDEM 2024 01.jpg|FOSDEM-2024 Outreachy Keynote commented in the main text
File:FOSDEM 2023 Bruxelles 35.jpg|FOSDEM-2023: The NOC ([[Network Operations Center]]) of FOSDEM
</gallery>

==See also==
{{Portal|Free and open-source software}}
*[[List of free-software events]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
* {{Official website}}
{{Commons category-inline}}

[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]
[[Category:Free-software conferences]]
[[Category:Linux conferences]]
[[Category:Recurring events established in 2001]]