From Code to Community: Introducing POSSEE’s Vision for Global, Inclusive Open Source Development

Announcing POSSEE

September 27, 2024

From Code to Community: Introducing POSSEE's Vision for Global, Inclusive Open Source Development

POSSEE promotes equitable education and open source sustainability, fostering technological and social progress across the globe.

Open source technology has become the backbone of innovation across industries, powering everything from cloud computing to artificial intelligence. With 96% of codebases using open source components* and over 94 million developers on GitHub alone, its impact is undeniable.

However, as the open source ecosystem thrives, a gap is emerging, with many talented individuals being excluded from meaningful participation due to location or limited resources.

To account for this, we’re introducing Practical Open Source Sustainability Experiences for Education (POSSEE). This innovative program aims to bridge the gap between the global open source community and untapped talent in nations across the world.

POSSEE empowers students and organizations to participate in global and social change through the power of open source innovation.

The POSSEE Ecosystem

POSSEE creates a unique environment where learning, contribution, and innovation intersect. The program focuses on nurturing open source communities’ growth by aligning educational job opportunities and connecting students with real-world open source projects, experienced mentors, and industry leaders who are committed to social good.

POSSEE Participation by Role

Sponsors: Organizations and philanthropists that provide financial support, resources, and project opportunities to support the initiative.

Provide financial support and resources.
Fund scholarships for talented students.
Propose specific open source projects.
Gain early access to a diverse, global talent pool.
Reduce risk by supporting relied-upon open source technologies.

Mentors: Experienced professionals who guide students, offering technical expertise and career advice for 2-5 hours weekly.

Provide technical expertise and oversee projects.
Guide students through the open source community.
Provide career advice and professional development support.
Commit 2-5 hours per week to the program.

Maintainers: Open source project leaders who define goals, review contributions, and ensure alignment with project standards, dedicating at least two hours weekly.

Define project goals and requirements.
Review and integrate student contributions.
Provide project-specific guidance and feedback.
Ensure contributions align with project standards and roadmaps.
Dedicate at least 2 hours per week to engage with the program.

Students: Talented individuals from developing countries who engage in real-world projects, gaining skills and building a professional network in the open source community.

Engagement in open source projects.
Gain knowledge from experienced mentors.
Develop skills in coding, documentation, testing, and community management.
Build a professional network within the global open source community.
Contribute to impactful open source projects.

Program Structure and Operation:

POSSEE typically runs in three-month cohorts, with key milestones including:

Student selection and project matching.
Initial training and onboarding.
Mid-program review and adjustment.
Final project presentations and evaluations.

Throughout the program, students engage with an educational curriculum focused on open source development and contribution practices. This includes technical skills, collaboration tools, and open source community norms and values.

POSSEE Pods — Past, Present & Future

POSSEE Pods are small teams of program participants collaborating on open source projects over a 12-week period. Each pod focuses on a unique project aimed at advancing open source innovation.

Past projects include developing AI-assisted tools for maintaining the NumPy codebase, conducting comprehensive user research to inform project roadmaps, and optimizing tools like Narwhals for both beginners and experts.

Upcoming pods will tackle diverse topics, such as building a theme designer app using the Accessible Perceptual Contrast Algorithm (APCA) and analyzing survey data with Python libraries to provide actionable insights for project improvements

Why POSSEE

The POSSEE ecosystem cultivates a more diverse, inclusive, and sustainable future for open source technology by enabling the next generation of leaders.

For sponsors, POSSEE offers a unique opportunity to gain access to a pool of skilled and motivated tech talent while contributing to social good and fulfilling corporate responsibility objectives. This investment in global talent development pays dividends in the long-term sustainability of critical open source technologies and innovation that emerges from diverse perspectives.

Mentors Mentors in the POSSEE program have the opportunity to share their expertise and nurture the next generation of open source contributors, expand their professional network, and become a part of the open source creation process.

Open source maintainers benefit from POSSEE by shaping the future of open source technology. The program provides an influx of contributors, cultivating growth and sustainability for their projects. Moreover, POSSEE helps create a more diverse and inclusive open source community, bringing fresh perspectives and ideas.

Open source For students, POSSEE is a way to gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies, learn best practices in open source software development and other types of contribution, and receive mentorship from seasoned industry professionals.

Conclusion

POSSEE is redefining the boundaries of open source collaboration and international tech skill development. By uniting diverse talents, nurturing innovation, and breaking down geographical barriers, we’re not just creating better software – we’re building a more inclusive and dynamic tech ecosystem for everyone.

This is more than a program; it’s a movement. Every contribution and every mentorship session brings us closer to a world where talent knows no borders and innovation thrives everywhere.

Ready to make your mark on the global stage of open source? Get in touch with us to discuss the role that’s right for you or your business.

Announcing POSSEE