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About us
// Our story
From a handful of initiatives in 2017 to hundreds today, we support open source by building the infrastructure that sustains it
Open Source Europe was founded in Brussels in 2017 by Xavier Damman, soon joined by Jean-François De Hertogh. What started with just 7 collectives has grown into a fiscal host supporting more than 270 projects today.
// our vision
Open<source is_public infrastructures
Just like roads and bridges, the digital tools we all rely on deserve sustainable investment. At OSE, we make this vision real with transparent legal and financial structures that let companies, institutions, and citizens contribute to open source in Europe. But today, open source is still the most neglected part of our digital infrastructure. That’s why OSE exists.
Our values<_
Openness / transparency
No doors, no walls
Transparency is our default choice. We believe in open budgets, open questions, and open minds.
Resilient Communities
Stronger together
When systems fail, communities step in. Resilience grows as neighbors support each other and build strong, shared networks.
Autonomy
Your project, your rules
You write the code, you run the show. We don’t tell projects what to do. We build infrastructure that gets out of your way.
Reliability
Solid trust
We’re the kind of host you don’t have to think about (until you need us). And when you do, we’re here.
Open Innovation
Share to scale
Knowledge thrives when shared. Open source, citizen science, and maker spaces show how innovation grows faster together.
Accessibility
Adios bureaucracy
Just enough structure to keep things clean. No paperwork jungles. No legalese riddles. We speak human, not admin.
// meet our team
Team & Governance<_
Jean-François De Hertogh
Co-director & Board Member
Exec Director & Co-Founder | Philanthropy, tech for good, humanitarian relief
// funds
Pricing<_
OSE charges an 8% fee on incoming funds, plus payment provider fees & 10% on public grants and subsidies.. No setup fees. No hidden costs.
Resources<_
