Merge Forward

Merge Forward is a community-driven initiative seeking to empower underrepresented groups and promote and accelerate their participation in open source projects, community activities, and the broader cloud native ecosystem. We aim to transform the concept of promoting equity into a tangible plan for achieving real change.

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 effort!

How to join

• Monthly meeting: Every first Tuesday of the month, at 10 am PT, 1 pm ET, 7 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

Our mission

A truly welcoming open source ecosystem that actively seeks, values, and supports different voices and perspectives will unlock the full potential of open source innovation. That's why we seek to:

1. Identify and continuously reduce or remove entry barriers that inhibit, demote, or block equitable outcomes and objectives,

2. Educate and advocate for accessibility, 

3. Amplify different voices within our community,

4. Develop programs to get youth and early-career professionals excited about cloud native and open source. 

This collective effort seeks to expand access to open source communities and technologies for everyone, accelerating meaningful innovation.

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 Working Group

2. Blind and Visually Impaired Initiative

3. Stuttering and Speech Diversity Initiative

4. Women in Cloud Native

5. Deep Roots Initiative

6. Friends of Dorothee Initiative

7. Neurodiversity Initiative

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.