What is the session about?
Scholarships, diversity grants and sponsored tickets help more women and LGBTQIA++ people attend FOSS events. But getting someone into the room is only the beginning. Staying involved also depends on meeting the right people, finding opportunities, having your work recognised and being encouraged to take on larger roles. This is where sponsorship can help. Mentorship usually means giving someone advice or guidance. Sponsorship means going a step further and using your position, network or resources to help create a real opportunity for them.
This is not about giving someone an opportunity only because they are either a woman and LGBTQIA++ people or skipping the usual project process. It is about noticing capable people and helping them access opportunities that are often shared through informal networks.
What do we want to discuss?
- What makes it difficult for women and LGBTQIA++ people to stay involved in FOSS after their first event or contribution?
- Where does mentorship help, and when is sponsorship needed?
- What can contributors, maintainers and community organisers do with the access they already have?
- What can organisations do beyond offering one-time tickets or grants?
- How do we support people without making it feel tokenistic or unfair?
Although the conversation centres women and LGBTQIA++ people in FOSS, the responsibility does not sit only with women. Maintainers, organisers, employers, funders and allies can all help create opportunities.
What should come out of the session?
- A simple understanding of what sponsorship can look like in FOSS.
- A few practical ideas for individuals, communities and organisations.
- One next step from each participant.
- A list of people interested in continuing the conversation after IndiaFOSS.
This is a discussion, not a promise of jobs, funding or project roles.
