Free/Libre and open source software: International cooperation development roadmap

GHOSH Rishab
Tel: +31-43-3884475
Fax: +31-43-3884495

UNIVERSITEIT MAASTRICHT, The Netherlands
CENTRE FOR THE STUDY OF DEVELOPING SOCIETIES, India
FUNDACION PARA LA DIFUSION DEL CONOCIMIENTO Y EL DESARROLLO SUSTENTABLE VIA LIBRE, Argentina
UNIVERSIDAD REY JUAN CARLOS, Spain
FUNDACION PARA EL DESARROLLO DE LA CIENCIA Y LA TECNOLOGIA EN EXTREMADURA, Spain
UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE, South Africa
OPEN INSTITUTE, Cambodia
CANONICAL LIMITED, United Kingdom
IT FOR CHANGE; India
GHANA INDIA KOFI ANNAN CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IN INFORMATION AND, Ghana    
TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY, China  

FLOSS (Free/Libre/Open Source Software) is arguably one of the best examples of open, collaborative, internationally distributed production and development. FLOSS provides numerous benefits for developing countries, such as low cost, adaptability, and a free-of-charge high quality- training environment, as shown by the FP6 FLOSSWORLD study.
The FLOSSInclude project aims to strengthen Europe participation in international research in FLOSS and open standards, by studying what is needed to increase the deployment, development and societal impact of FLOSS in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The project will result in a sound understanding of the FLOSS-related needs of the target regions. It will federate local and regional development initiatives with the support of cooperation with current EU research. It will also provide a roadmap for future EU research cooperation in this area.

Validated pilots and a coordinated roadmap for future EU development research cooperation will ensure that the impact of FLOSSInclude will be sustained far beyond the duration of the project.