Harnessing the Power of FOSS for Social Good: Insights from T4GC Summit

This past Saturday, I had the honor of both attending and speaking at the T4GC Summit, where industry leaders, technologists, and social sector champions came together to explore the immense potential of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) for driving social impact. The discussions were as enriching as they were thought-provoking, shining a spotlight on the critical intersection of technology, grassroots action, and social good.

My FOSS journey:

I couldn’t help but travel back in time to my very first encounter with Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) over 15 years ago. As a college student in a tier 3 town, the arrival of an Ubuntu Linux CD all the way from the Netherlands was more than just a package – it was a symbol of possibility. That moment sparked my journey into the world of FOSS, a journey filled with exploration, learning, and community. Among all these experiences, my time with the Mozilla India community stands out as some of the most rewarding and cherished moments.

Fast forward to the summit, it was invigorating to see how far FOSS has come and how it continues to be a catalyst for change. The discussions at T4GC reinforced the belief that FOSS isn’t just about code – it’s about building inclusive, collaborative ecosystems that drive social impact at scale.

The Philosophy of FOSS: A Catalyst for Change:

The day began with a keynote by Kailash (CTO – Zerodha) who eloquently articulated the philosophy of FOSS. His words resonated deeply as he emphasized that FOSS is more than just a technical framework – it’s a movement that embodies the values of collaboration, transparency, and collective empowerment. These principles align perfectly with the goals of many NGOs, where the focus is on creating scalable, sustainable, and inclusive solutions for society’s most pressing issues.

Kailash’s insights set the tone for the day, framing FOSS as a catalyst that can drive systemic change in the social sector. It became clear that by embracing FOSS, NGOs can not only lower costs but also foster innovation, community ownership, and long-term sustainability.

Opportunities and Challenges: A Balanced Perspective:

The panel discussions that followed provided a balanced perspective on the opportunities and challenges of integrating FOSS into the social sector. From my vantage point, the conversation underscored a crucial point: while FOSS offers unparalleled flexibility and the ability to customize solutions for unique local needs, it also requires a commitment to building internal capacity and maintaining active community engagement.

One of the significant challenges highlighted was the need for NGOs to develop technical literacy and establish robust support networks. Without this, the potential of FOSS could remain untapped, particularly in organizations that may lack the resources to fully leverage these tools. However, organisations like @tech4goodcommunity (T4GC) has made commendable strides in addressing this gap by promoting low-code FOSS tools that simplify the technical aspects and empower NGOs to leverage tech without needing extensive coding expertise. This approach ensures that even organizations with limited technical capacity can harness the power of FOSS for their social missions.

Samaaja and the JJM Case Study: Activating Youth Agency at Scale

During the summit, I had the privilege of presenting on Samaaja, our FOSS for citizen engagement co-developed with the support of @fossunited. Samaaja played a critical role in the initiative designed to activate youth agency at scale in Assam. Samaaja is not just a platform; it enable levers to empower young people to take charge of their communities and drive change from the ground up.

One of the standout examples I shared was our work with the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), where Samaaja played a crucial role in mobilizing youth to ensure safe and sustainable water management in rural communities. By leveraging the low-code capabilities of Samaaja, young changemakers could easily gather data, report issues and solve community issues – all while being supported by a robust community-driven platform. This case study exemplifies how FOSS, when combined with key levers of change and the power of youth agency, can drive meaningful impact at scale.

Samaaja’s flexibility, rooted in FOSS, allowed us to tailor the platform to the specific needs of the JJM initiative, ensuring that the technology was not only effective but also accessible to those on the ground. This adaptability is a hallmark of FOSS, enabling solutions to be both scalable and sensitive to local contexts.

The Road Ahead: FOSS as a Strategic Asset

The T4GC Summit reaffirmed my belief that FOSS is not just a technical asset but a strategic one. For organizations in the social sector, it offers a pathway to greater innovation, resilience, and impact. However, realizing this potential requires more than just adopting technology – it demands a holistic approach that connects tech to on-ground realities, fosters community engagement, and prioritizes capacity building.

Thanks to platforms like T4GC, which are bridging the tech capacity gap by promoting low-code FOSS tools and being running mate for NGOs. NGOs are better equipped to harness technology for social good. This approach democratizes access to powerful digital tools, ensuring that even those with limited technical skills can contribute to creating scalable solutions for complex social challenges.

Initiatives like OASIS which is a collective of organisations to promote FOSS for social impact in which Reap Benefit is also a core member along with others. Aim of OASIS is to democratise the ability to make the adoption of technology supported bottom up at hyper local level by building capacity and offering pathways to connect the demand for tech vs supply at the grassroots level.

As we move forward, I’m excited to continue exploring how FOSS can be harnessed to create a more equitable world and build a community that leverages FOSS for social good.