# Closing FOSDEM 2025: Community Reflections and Perspectives > [! note]- > This summary is based on several sessions within this topic. It summarizes the most important content and places it in an eco-social context. The texts are based on audio/video transcription and text transformation - generated from the content and links of these sessions. ## What is this track about? The closing session of FOSDEM 2025 marks the conclusion of one of the world's largest open-source conferences. This session highlights the collaborative spirit that drives open-source communities, with special thanks extended to the volunteers, sponsors, and technical teams (notably Matrix and Element). The event saw record participation, with over 9,000 devices connected simultaneously, reflecting both the scale and the technical achievements of the conference. Attendees were encouraged to contribute feedback, propose future topics, and get involved as volunteers or sponsors. The session also addressed the importance of financial support—through donations and sponsorships—to maintain the event's independence and accessibility. Key statistics on participation, infrastructure, and community engagement were shared, alongside reminders of the importance of inclusivity, sustainability, and collective responsibility (e.g., post-event cleanup). Overall, the session celebrated the achievements of the open-source movement, while inviting ongoing participation and reflection on how such gatherings can evolve to better serve both technological progress and societal needs. ## Sessions **Closing FOSDEM 2025** The final session of FOSDEM 2025, offering reflections on the event, gratitude to contributors, and perspectives for the future of the open-source community. Key statistics, community highlights, and calls for ongoing involvement were shared. [Closing FOSDEM 2025](Closing%20FOSDEM%202025.md) ## Significance for an eco-social transformation This track underscores the essential role of community-driven collaboration in building sustainable and equitable digital infrastructures. By emphasizing the value of volunteer contributions and inclusive participation, FOSDEM demonstrates how open-source models can reduce barriers to entry and foster shared ownership of technology. The transparent discussion of funding—balancing sponsorships with grassroots donations—raises important ethical considerations about independence, accessibility, and the influence of corporate interests on community events. Technological advances, such as the use of Matrix for real-time communication and IPv6 adoption for scalable networking, are highlighted as tools that not only support large-scale gatherings but also enable decentralized, resilient networks. These are foundational for eco-social transformation, as they empower communities to self-organize, share knowledge, and build digital commons. By celebrating diversity in speakers, volunteers, and participants, FOSDEM models the kind of inclusive, participatory culture needed for just and sustainable systems. The event's commitment to feedback and iterative improvement mirrors ecological principles of adaptation and collective learning, further reinforcing its alignment with eco-social values. ## Possible applications 1. Use of Matrix for Community Networks: Eco-social designers can leverage Matrix to create inclusive, decentralized communication platforms for local or global initiatives. [Closing FOSDEM 2025](Closing%20FOSDEM%202025.md) 2. Volunteer-Driven Event Organization: The FOSDEM model of volunteer coordination offers a blueprint for running low-cost, high-impact gatherings in the eco-social sector. [Closing FOSDEM 2025](Closing%20FOSDEM%202025.md) 3. Open Feedback Loops: The structured feedback mechanisms can inspire participatory evaluation processes in community projects. [Closing FOSDEM 2025](Closing%20FOSDEM%202025.md) 4. Transparent Sponsorship Models: The approach to balancing donations and sponsorships can inform ethical funding strategies for eco-social events. [Closing FOSDEM 2025](Closing%20FOSDEM%202025.md) 5. Digital Commons and Knowledge Sharing: FOSDEM's open sharing of slides, recordings, and resources serves as a best practice for building accessible knowledge commons. [Closing FOSDEM 2025](Closing%20FOSDEM%202025.md) 6. Environmental Responsibility in Event Management: Practices like collective cleanup and sustainable resource use can be replicated in other eco-social gatherings. [Closing FOSDEM 2025](Closing%20FOSDEM%202025.md) 7. Inclusive Participation and Diversity: The focus on diverse speakers and volunteers can guide inclusive recruitment and engagement strategies. [Closing FOSDEM 2025](Closing%20FOSDEM%202025.md) ## Challenges & open questions Key challenges discussed include financial sustainability—relying on both donations and sponsors to keep the event accessible and independent. There are ongoing ethical questions about the influence of corporate sponsorship and the need for transparent, community-driven funding models. Technical hurdles include scaling infrastructure to support thousands of participants, optimizing network efficiency (as seen in the transition to IPv6 and improved video streaming), and ensuring robust, user-friendly communication tools. Socially, maintaining inclusivity and volunteer engagement as the event grows is a persistent challenge. Open questions remain about how to further reduce the environmental footprint of large gatherings and ensure that technological advances genuinely serve social and ecological goals.