CodeFest

On May 16–17, 2026, OpenSource Science B.V. (OS-SCi) will host the Lomiri Tech Meeting in Tilburg, a two-day, free event for students passionate about open-source mobile development. The event will take place at the historic building at Spoorlaan 400, where the future of open-source mobile apps is being shaped.

With keynote speeches by Mike Gabriel (project leader of Lomiri’s groundbreaking user interface) and Erik Mols (who will unveil the Lomiri Bounty Program), the event offers students practical experience and real incentives to contribute to the Ubuntu Touch ecosystem.

Every participant will receive free copies of Lomiri App Development Level 1 & 2—essential guides for mastering the platform. The event is not just a learning experience but also a powerful example of reciprocity in the open-source community.

Why This Event?

The Lomiri Tech Meeting is more than a hackathon. It is a manifestation of the open-source philosophy: not just taking, but also giving. OS-SCi is organizing this event to:

• Share knowledge with the next generation of developers,
• Recruit new volunteers for open-source projects,
• Attract students to OS-SCi’s educational programs,
• Engage sponsors for SFCF.nl, which uses the raised funds to provide scholarships for students specializing in open source,
• Build apps for Ubuntu Touch, delivering direct contributions back to the community.

Reciprocity: The Heartbeat of Open Source

Open source is not just about using free software—it’s also about giving back to the community. Without active contributions from developers, testers, translators, and sponsors, the growth of projects like Ubuntu Touch and Lomiri would stagnate. This event is a concrete example of how OS-SCi puts this philosophy into practice:

• Sharing knowledge: Through workshops and hands-on mentorship, participants learn not only how to build apps for Ubuntu Touch but also how to pass on their knowledge to others.
• Recruiting new volunteers: The event attracts students who want to learn and contribute—whether through code, documentation, or organizing local events.
• Attracting students to OS-SCi’s programs: By involving students in real projects, OS-SCi inspires a new generation of open-source developers.
• Engaging sponsors for SFCF.nl: SFCF seeks sponsors to fund scholarships for students specializing in open source, allowing sponsors to invest directly in the future of the community.
• Building apps for Ubuntu Touch: Every app developed during the event is a direct contribution to the ecosystem—code that the entire community can use and expand upon.

This is what open source is all about: building, sharing, and growing together.

The Problem: Taking Without Giving Back

Unfortunately, many organizations and companies still view open-source projects and communities as free suppliers rather than as partners they can contribute to. They benefit from the advantages—cost savings, flexibility, security—but rarely give back in the form of:

• Code (bug fixes, new features, maintenance),
• Financial support (sponsorships, donations),
• Time (testing, documentation, community management),
• Visibility (promotion, case studies).

This one-sided approach undermines the sustainability of open-source projects. Without active involvement from users and businesses, projects like Ubuntu Touch risk disappearing simply because there aren’t enough hands to do the work. Open source is not a public utility—it is a community that thrives on reciprocity.

OS-SCi’s Mission: A Culture of Contribution

With the Lomiri Tech Meeting, OS-SCi aims not only to share knowledge but also to foster a culture of contribution. By bringing together students, volunteers, and sponsors, OS-SCi demonstrates that open source is everyone’s responsibility. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced developer, everyone can contribute.

So: come to Tilburg, learn, build, and give back. Because open source only grows when we do it together.