Merge Forward

The OSS ecosystem faces a severe human deficit. Today, a multi-billion-dollar commercial market relies on a dangerously small and overburdened pool of contributors and maintainers. Maintainer burnout is the single greatest challenge to OSS health and a direct threat to the software supply chain's security. Think NGINX! 

Welcoming and supporting underrepresented groups into open source is not only the community's duty to sustainable open source; it's also critically important for the future of our ecosystem. That's what Merge Forward is about. We are a community-driven initiative and home to seven diversity groups. Our mission is to build supportive networks and safe spaces for communities from diverse backgrounds and their allies to exchange ideas, learn from each other, foster mentorship, and create lasting connections (and even friendships) across the globe. We also aim to educate and inform others so they are empowered, familiar with, and capable of supporting potential contributors regardless of their background, experience, and difference.

Through these global communities, we aim to increase representation, participation, and contributions from underrepresented groups—who often face challenges growing their technical careers compared to overrepresented groups—to create a more equitable and resilient open source community.

How to join

Are you part of a minority? Or maybe you're an ally, passionate about fostering a thriving open source community where everyone is welcome. Join our community!

• Monthly meeting: Every first Tuesday of the month, at 9 am PT, 12 pm ET, 6 pm CET.

• CNCF Slack channel: #merge-forward

• Keep up to date: "Join" this group above to receive updates

• Catch up on past events: Check out our YouTube Playlist

Merge Forward projects

These are the projects Merge Forward contributors are currently working on. Interested in contributing? Check out the Roles and Responsibilities doc and, if that sounds good, let us know in the Slack channel.

• Buddy Program (mentorship)

• KubeCon Activities Coordination

• Buddy Travel Program

Merge Forward docs

• Marketing Kit (help us get the word out!)

• Collaboration Best Practices

• Roles Responsibilities

Merge Forward sub- and working groups

Merge Forward is home to multiple focused Community Groups, each working towards the same mission stated above.

1. Deaf and Hard of Hearing

2. Blind and Visually Impaired

3. Stuttering and Speech Diversity

4. Women in Cloud Native

5. Deep Roots

6. Friends of Dorothy

7. Neurodiversity

Are you part of a group that is not yet represented and would like to start one? Reach out on Slack, and we'll guide you through the process.