# About Open Source Europe

Source: https://www.opensourceeurope.org/docs/about-open-source-europe/

Open Source Europe is a Belgian association. It is the fiscal host for open source initiatives and works with philanthropic institutions to support regranting around the world.

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## Service Overview

Unlike traditional non-profits, Open Source Europe (OSE) combines a legal structure with its own digital infrastructure. Together they make the following possible:

* Fiscal hosting for open source projects. We give developers, maintainers and communities a legal umbrella, so they can operate without creating their own legal entity.
* Grant distribution and fund management. We manage funds for foundations and companies that want to support critical open source projects in Europe and beyond.
* Radical transparency. All financial activity is public on the Open Collective platform, which builds trust and accountability in the community.

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## How hosting works

OSE provides a Belgian nonprofit home for open source projects. We use the Open Collective platform to manage budgets, receive contributions and process expenses transparently.

See our [Terms of Service](https://www.opensourceeurope.org/docs/terms-of-service/) for the hosting agreement.

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## Who We Serve

* Project maintainers of open source projects that have no legal structure of their own.
* Funders and corporates, such as international companies that want a trusted intermediary to support open source in Europe.
* Developer networks, meaning communities that want fiscal and operational support for their collective activities.

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## How to Work With Us

* Projects can apply for fiscal hosting to start receiving donations and grants legally.
* Funders can support projects and manage their contributions transparently through our hosted funds.
* Organizations can manage large-scale distributions efficiently, without complex international structures.

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[Contact the team](mailto:home@opensourceeurope.org)

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## A little history

Open Source Europe grew out of Open Collective Europe's fiscal hosting work. As that work grew, OSE became the home for open source projects and communities. Open Collective Europe Foundation developed its wider philanthropic activities. Our hosting agreement still uses the association's name, Open Collective Europe ASBL/vzw.

Today, OSE focuses on helping open source communities receive funding, pay contributors and manage their projects transparently.