The dedication of the developers, documentation writers, community organizers, and volunteers of the free software movement is what has helped us all live liberation in the years the free software movement has been active. Just using free software makes you part of our collective journey to freedom, but some go above and beyond in their dedication to the free software movement. Now, it’s time for us to show those community members and projects that we appreciate their vital work.
The deadline for nominations is November 30th at 23:59 (11:59 PM) AoE (Anywhere on Earth).
Each year, the Free Software Foundation (FSF) hands out the Free Software Awards as a formal expression of the community’s appreciation to these individuals and organizations. These awards are given out each year at LibrePlanet, our conference for free software community activists, domain experts, and people seeking their own solutions to problems like user-abusive antifeatures and bulk government surveillance. The Free Software Awards let these people and projects know that their work is deeply appreciated, and that they play a vital role in bringing this global movement toward its goals.
Maybe you’ve been inspired by the work of a particular member of the free software community, or have been impressed by the great strides made by a project that incorporates free software into their platform for social change. We invite you to take a moment to acknowledge each of them by nominating them for an award in one of three categories:
- The Award for the Advancement of Free Software;
- The Award for Projects of Social Benefit; or
- The Award for Outstanding New Free Software Contributor.
Don’t assume that someone else will nominate them — too often, everyone assuming someone else will express the appreciation means that it never happens. Additionally, the more nominations an organization or person receives, the more it will make an impression on the award committee. Taking initiative and speaking up for the community are important parts of free software, we urge you to make your voice heard.
Award for the Advancement of Free Software
The FSF Award for the Advancement of Free Software is presented annually to a single individual who has made a great contribution to the progress and advancement of free software, through activities that are in accord with the spirit of the community. Previous award winners are listed on the FSF Web site.
Submit your nomination for the Award for the Advancement of Free Software.
Award for Projects of Social Benefit
The FSF Award for Projects of Social Benefit is presented to an organization or team responsible for applying the principles of the free software movement to a project that intentionally and significantly benefits society in other aspects of life. Previous award winners are listed on the FSF Web site.
Submit your nomination for the Award for Projects of Social Benefit.
Award for Outstanding New Free Software Contributor
The Award for Outstanding New Free Software Contributor is presented annually to an individual newcomer to the community who has demonstrated an outstanding dedication to software freedom. The award recipient must have made their first significant free software-related contributions in 2021, and show a pattern of ongoing activity. Their contributions may have included things like: empowering the community by organizing local meetups, software development, becoming involved in the strategic or logistical planning of a project, working on documentation, or helping to make improvements in the environment to attract and keep contributors. Previous award winners are listed on the FSF Web site.
Submit your nomination for the Award for Outstanding New Free Software Contributor.
We hope that by drawing attention to those individuals and projects that have helped the free software movement take significant steps forward, we’ll be able to inspire both new and existing community members to incorporate free software into their daily lives and “live liberation.” Please take the time to show them that you appreciate them by nominating them today — and we’ll see you at LibrePlanet!
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