Hello SFD Community,

My name is Fares, I’m based in Aleppo, Syria, and I’m currently working on coordinating a Software Freedom Day event here. This will be one of the first SFD events of its kind in Aleppo, and I’m really excited about the opportunity to bring people together around free and open-source software.

The event is planned to include four main activities:

1. Technical Talks – on digital freedom, open-source software, and their role in developing both the technical and civil society sectors.

2. Interactive Exhibition – showcasing open-source software across different sectors.

3. Support Corner – offering technical help to install FOSS software from the exhibition and providing guidance for visitors.

4. Hackathon – where young people can participate in solving 3–4 technical challenges using open-source tools, with clear participation rules.

Right now, the main challenge I’m facing is finding a suitable venue. I’ve been looking for theaters or halls that can host the event, but so far it’s been difficult. Because of this, I may need to push the date to October 2nd instead of the official day.

I’d love to hear your advice on:

1. Program design – What have you found most effective in engaging participants and keeping the energy high across multiple activities in a single-day event?

2. Maximizing local impact – From your experience, what strategies can help make SFD more meaningful in regions where the FOSS community is still in its early stages?

3. Flexibility – If I cannot secure a large hall, what creative approaches (smaller venues, hybrid formats, outdoor spaces, etc.) have worked for you?

I want this to be a strong and inspiring start for the FOSS community in Syria, and I’d be grateful to learn from your experiences.

Thank you in advance for your support and guidance.

Best regards,
Fares
Aleppo, Syria