Learn about FOSS Backstage at a glance and discover what it has to offer.
For the third consecutive year, FOSS Backstage will be held at the bUm, a former transformer station in Berlin’s Kreuzberg district.
This year, we are once again hosting a hybrid event, offering a seamless experience for both in-person and online participants. If you’re joining us online, you can connect with fellow attendees in the chat and submit questions directly to speakers using the dedicated Q&A tab. For those joining us on-site, your ticket also includes full access to our online event platform, giving you the flexibility to join the live streams if you’re unable to attend in person.
At FOSS Backstage the stage belongs exclusively to the non-technical aspects of Free and Open Source Software. The two-day event brings together the brightest minds in the industry to discuss and explore all about FOSS community, management and compliance.
The conference aims to bridge the gaps between different projects, license models, communities, and organisations by gathering everyone around shared interests, challenges, and goals in open source software.
At FOSS Backstage community leaders, FOSS practitioners, executives, developers and technologists among many other stakeholders in the field come together for inspiring talks, lively discussions, and countless networking opportunities to truly have a look behind the scenes of Open Source!
Attendees onsite
International Speakers
Stages
Days of engaging talks
Tracks
Facts
Facts
Facts
Each year, FOSS Backstage features more than 60 speakers to explore the most pressing issues in open source, including Governance & Community, Economics, Legal & Compliance, Security, Design, Diversity & Inclusion, as well as how to Grow Open Source. To give you a taste of the conference, we’ve put together a hand-picked selection of talks for you to explore.
The first sessions for #FOSSBack 2026 are now available!
Once again, a huge thank you to everyone who submitted and congratulations to all speakers!
We will have over 42 amazing sessions led by 51 speakers across three stages, including four hands-on workshops.
If you are interested in becoming our sponsor, media or event partner, please reach out to us – we’re looking forward to hearing from you!
“So much learned, so many great connections made and simply awesome to meet so many community managers, leaders and contributors to open source, all focused on helping each other to learn and grow.“
– Ruth Cheesley, Mautic Project Lead
“I find FOSS Backstage to be one of my favorite conferences content-wise and community-wise.“
– Nick Vidal, Community Manager at the Open Source Initiative
Join us for inspiring talks, lively discussions, and countless networking opportunities. Let’s have a look behind the scenes of Open Source together!
When?
16-17 March 2026
Where?
bUm – Raum für solidarisches Miteinander
Paul-Lincke-Ufer 21
10999 Berlin