Last year, in an effort to educate the public about WordPress and related open source software (OSS), the WordPress Foundation helped fund four “Introduction to Open Source” workshops in Ghana, India, Colombia and St. Lucia.
The goal of this workshop series is to highlight the potential of open source software in regions where there is less participation in OSS projects.
Last year’s workshops were quite successful, so in 2019 we’re expanding this program to support up to ten separate events.
We are particularly interested in funding event held in regions where there might be less awareness of — or support for — participation in open source, specifically Latin and South America, Africa, Oceania and Asia*.
Event title: Introduction to Open Source
Event description: What do people mean when they use the term Open Source when referring to software? This workshop will cover that question as well as what the GPL software license provides, why WordPress is an open-source project, and how this is important for both the users of WordPress and the contributors to WordPress.
Event purpose: Spread knowledge and understanding of the open web and open source through two-hour training events, staffed and organized by local communities, and financially supported by the WordPress Foundation, using training materials here:
Financial support: up to $200 USD per event, available to cover costs associated with event venue, refreshments, and/or videography / photography.
Expectations for organizers: Event should be free of cost, open to anyone, and organized/held in 2019. Strong preference will be given to organizers who are already members of a community group that is part of the WordPress open source project’s meetup chapter program, but has not yet organized a WordCamp.
Organizers should not need to solicit additional event sponsorship. Financial support will be provided via Paypal or wire transfer, and will require documentation. This financial support will be in the form of reimbursement after the event has taken place.
We’ll select and notify our first round of shortlisted groups by the 31st May 2019 and the second round of shortlisted groups by 31st August 2019.
The application form will be closed on 15th July 2019.
Interested in organizing an event like this? Fill out this 10-question application!
*According to a recent study, the majority of Github participation in OSS projects is centered in North America and Western and Northern Europe.