How do you measure ‚public good‘ in open source and beyond?
Session Abstract
How can we measure open source’s impact on sustainable development? Join experts from CHOSS SDG WG as they explore innovative metrics to assess social and environmental contributions, beyond just economic value. Discussions will cover challenges, best practices, and strategies to empower open source communities in advancing global goals.
Session Description
As discussions grow around open source as a catalyst for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and global good (e.g., Global Compact), a key question emerges: how do we effectively measure open source and its impact on building a better world? Despite considerable efforts to quantify the economic value of open source, there remains a significant gap in evaluating whether, and how, these projects contribute to sustainable development and the public good.
The challenge is that there are no „simple metrics“ that can easily be applied to such an abstract and multifaceted topic. To address this, we are bringing together experts from CHOSS SDG WG with diverse—even unlikely—backgrounds: ranging from humanitarian and development work to innovation, academic research on open source sustainability, public policy, and impact evaluation. The goal is to discuss ongoing research, share practical insights, and explore how metrics and metadata can be reimagined to better capture open source’s contributions to „global public goods.“
Discussion Points will include:
* _State of the current landscape:_ Drawing from international initiatives and governance frameworks, panelists will explore how open source and achieving SDGs are linked. Examples of open source projects in humanitarian/development/social impact and their impact evaluation metrics will be discussed.
* _Challenges in Measuring Impact:_ The panel will address the gap in evaluating the social and environmental contributions of open source projects, especially beyond traditional economic metrics.
Innovative Metrics and Pathways: Panelists will share insights from their experience, research collaboration, discussing specific metrics that both digital and non-digital projects can adopt to align more effectively with SDGs.
* _Engaging Open Source Communities:_ Panelists will propose actionable strategies for open source communities eager to contribute to sustainable development. They will discuss the nuances of making impactful contributions and highlight opportunities for scaling efforts toward global goals.
