Speaker
Shraddha Tiwari
(Gnome Nepal)
Description
Open source projects succeed not only because of great code, but because of thriving communities that promote, support, and grow them. In this session, I will share insights on moving from “just contributing code” to actively developing and promoting open source projects.
Drawing from my recent contribution to the 2025.ubucon.asia repo, where I worked on improving accessibility for participants, and my role as part of the Sponsorship Team for Ubuntu Nepal and UbuCon Asia 2025, I will highlight how technical contributions and community efforts come together to strengthen open source ecosystems.
This talk will provide practical takeaways for students, contributors, and organizers on how to scale projects from code to community impact.
| Category | Community Building and Diveristy |
|---|---|
| Talk Description | Open source projects often begin with code, but their real success comes when communities form around them—promoting, supporting, and sustaining growth. This talk, *“From Code to Community: Developing and Promoting Open Source Projects,”* focuses on the journey of turning technical contributions into thriving community-driven initiatives. I will begin by sharing my experience contributing to the **2025.ubucon.asia repo**, where I worked on improving accessibility features for participants. This contribution showed me how even small technical updates can create meaningful impact when designed with inclusivity in mind. I will then discuss my role as part of the **Sponsorship Team for Ubuntu Nepal and UbuCon Asia 2025**, where I supported community growth and event organization. These experiences illustrate how open source development extends beyond technical work and into outreach, collaboration, and sustainability. The outline of my talk includes: 1. **Starting with Code** – practical ways to kickstart contributions and projects. 2. **Beyond Development** – why promotion, documentation, and accessibility matter. 3. **Community Building** – strategies for encouraging contributors and sustaining momentum. 4. **Cross-Project Collaboration** – connecting GNOME, Ubuntu, and other ecosystems. 5. **Takeaways for Attendees** – actionable steps to balance code and community. By the end of this talk, attendees—especially students, contributors, and organizers—will gain insights into how to contribute effectively, promote their projects, and build inclusive communities that strengthen the wider open source ecosystem. |
| Author(s) Bio | Shraddha Tiwari is an undergraduate CSIT student from Nepal, passionate about open source, AI, and community building. She has contributed to UbuCon Asia 2025 as an organizer and repo contributor, and worked with the Sponsorship Team for Ubuntu Nepal. She advocates for inclusive, accessible, and sustainable open source growth. |
| Pronouns | She/Her |
| Twitter and/or Mastodon Handle | https://x.com/Shraddh43378063 |
| Where are you located? | Kathmandu, Bagmati Province, Nepal |
| Do you need travel sponsorship from GNOME Foundation in order to join our event? | Yes |
Author
Shraddha Tiwari
(Gnome Nepal)