this.venI enjoyed the insights for (very) small #OpenSource projects—typically maintained by only one person—from @simulo in his talk given at #FOSSBackstage2026.
https://26.foss-backstage.de/session/best-practices-and-very-small-projects/
@johas from @fsfe did a great job of defining #OpenWashing, showing examples, and explaining how it harms real #FLOSS at #FOSSBackstage2026 happening at #bUmBerlin.
https://26.foss-backstage.de/session/lets-tackle-openwashing/
Let’s tackle Openwashing!
Companies that develop Free Software face a problem: competitors disguising proprietary software as “open” and undercutting Free Software products in public tenders. Such practices distort competition and undermine strategic procurement and digital sovereignty. Which openwashing methods are used, and what can be done about it?
Though #FOSSBackstage2026 is just two days and the talks are engaging and well organized, I need to run on coffee, which is rather untypical for me. 
I guess I probably should have get more sleep last night. However, finishing a paper about a reworked prototype for #InEarMonitoring over #WiFi to be submitted at #LinuxAudioConference2026 became kind of a nightly build. 🤓 😅 🥴
Sebastian Crane 🏳️⚧️With the FOSS Backstage people, underway to c-base! (@ U8 ➡️ S+U Jannowitzbrücke (Berlin)) #NowTräwelling #fossbackstage2026 #fossback #fossbackstage
In an announcement during #LightningTalks at #FOSSBackstage2026 I just learned that the @sovtechfund is providing grants to #CommunityManager and #TechnicalWriter to sustain #OpenSource projects.
As a researcher of #SoftwareArchitecture I've seen many projects suffering from a lack of #documentation and/or community management work (due to e.g., priorities) and would like to encourage you to take this chance. 😃
I really enjoyed the talk by Mirko Boehm from @lfeurope at #FOSSBackstage2026 differentiating ubiquitous #DigitalSovereignty in terms of what licenses cannot provide, and why active participation is a key requirement.
https://26.foss-backstage.de/session/does-foss-buy-sovereignty-participation-vs-ownership/
Does FOSS Buy Sovereignty? Participation vs. Ownership
Policy debates often assume FOSS adoption delivers digital sovereignty. But does it? Sovereignty stems not from license freedoms but from technical capacity and community influence. Active participation in FOSS development—not mere adoption—determines whether nations achieve independence from proprietary lock-in and foreign control.
Linux Foundation EuropeDigital sovereignty is central to EU technology policy, with open source often presented as a solution to dependency on proprietary systems.
At #FOSSBackstage2026, Mirko Boehm explores this assumption in “Does FOSS Buy Sovereignty? Participation vs. Ownership”, examining what sovereignty requires beyond license freedoms.
Learn more: https://26.foss-backstage.de/session/does-foss-buy-sovereignty-participation-vs-ownership/
