About FSFE
Self-Conception
We, the people of the Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE), see ourselves as Europeans from different cultures with the shared goal of co-operation across cultures and of developing a common culture of co-operation from a regional to a global level.
We form a non-profit non-governmental organisation and network that itself is part of a global network of people with common goals and visions. We are not representative of anyone, except ourselves and our work. Our common work and dedication to freedom in all aspects of digital society is what defines us.
With the Free Software community growing faster every day, it becomes more important to keep the vision of Free Software healthy, solid and alive. In some cases, increased political interest in our issues also creates desire to exploit them for particular personal interests, regardless of the medium- and long-term effects.
Therefore, the central component of our work is keeping the legal, political and social base of Free Software strong, secure and free of particular interests. This requires deep understanding of Free Software and related issues. Above all, it requires being primarily committed to the long-term vision.
We understand this sometimes means having to accept short-term or even medium-term disadvantages in order to remain true to our principles, which may be hard to communicate and occasionally even unpopular.
Principles
We feel strongly committed to the principles of democracy, transparency, pluralism, consistency, reliability and focus.
In the light of substantial legal responsibilities and the need to remain decisive even in difficult times, our structure aims to implement the above principles as well as possible.
Structural Overview
Voluntary work and contribution is the fundamental on which everything rests. Different levels of involvement exist; level of involvement is primarily a personal decision.
Everyone is welcome to occasionally, regularly or permanently participate in the activities of the Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) and make its activities their own.
If you wish to become part of the Free Software Foundation Europe, you can join one of our teams -- either geographically or by focus -- and take responsibility to work and act in the name of the FSFE.
The country-based teams are generally co-ordinated by the members of the association (see below) responsible for these countries. The other teams are either co-ordinated by members of the association, members of the teams or members of an associated organisation (see below).
If you wish to become part of the Free Software Foundation Europe, but do not have the time to do work, you might also choose to make a donation to FSFE or become a fellow of the FSFE.
If your association pursues similar goals to those of the Free Software Foundation Europe and wishes to establish formal co-operation, it can become an associate organisation of the FSFE, thus becoming part of the FSFE network.
The skeleton of the Free Software Foundation Europe is the formal and legally established association. Membership in this association requires the highest commitment, measured in years of dedication and the responsibility to put long-term consensus over personal opinion.
The FSFE association is fundamentally democratic. All parts of the FSFE - members of the association, members of the teams, as well as fellows and members of associate organisations - are welcome to actively take part in the decision making process for the areas of work they participate in.
Members of the association are often proposed by other members, or propose themselves. They are then approved by the general assembly of the FSFE association.
Although voluntary contributions in terms of work and resources are the grounds of our work, we recognise that some of these tasks cannot be undertaken as part-time activities and therefore require full-time work.
Employees of the association are held to the highest standard and often take on tasks such as coordination of our activities, which would be difficult to do as a volunteer.
The main criterion for any employment are the needs of the Free Software Foundation Europe in terms of successfully pursuing its goals. Whenever possible, we try to hire a person for each job that has already done the job without getting paid - either within the FSFE structures or outside - because knowledge, dedication and initiative are virtues of the FSFE.
Ideally we will allow someone to dedicate themselves fully to a task that was already important enough to them to contribute much of their available resources.
Decision Processes
The people of the Free Software Foundation Europe believe in consensus. We also believe it is occasionally necessary to make quick and decisive actions. Our working teams, both geographical and focus teams, are encouraged to act within their area. The FSFE association also has an executive council which can act quickly and the composition of which is determined, monitored and controlled through votes of the members.
This approach was adopted in search of a structure that will allow transparency, pluralism and participation, at the same time remaining as lightweight as possible. It also encourages participants in our working teams to act autonomously and to seek participation in the teams acting in areas of their interest.
It ensures the possibility of participation by all parts of FSFE, allowing the Free Software Foundation Europe to act quickly when necessary and maintain a strong organisational long-term consistency.