MozFest House Amsterdam was a transformative experience, bringing together a diverse group of technologists, NGOs, activists, artists, and more from around the globe. Over three days, we shared knowledge, exchanged ideas, and fostered connections that will drive our collective efforts toward a healthier internet and a better world. This festival was more than just a gathering; it was a testament to the power of community engagement in our mission to improve internet health and work on trustworthy AI.

It was also an opportunity for grantees of Mozilla’s Fellowships and Awards programs to gather as cohorts and connect in the community. This year, the Mozilla Technology Fund (MTF) cohort, which supports open-source technologists whose work furthers promising approaches to addressing environmental issues, gathered alongside MozFest House. The MTF Summit provided a unique space for awardees to share insights and progress on their impactful projects. Here’s what some awardees, including those from the Mozilla Technology Fund and the Alumni Connection Grant cohort, had to say about the summit and MozFest House Amsterdam:

A Profound Journey of Knowledge and Inspiration

“My journey at the MTF Summit and Mozfest House Amsterdam was a profound and awe-inspiring experience. The convergence of diverse minds from across the globe, the vibrant exchange of ideas, and the tangible impact of open-source technology and artificial intelligence on global societal issues left an indelible mark. The passion and dedication of the individuals I encountered, all working towards addressing global issues, were truly inspiring. The knowledge I gained from the various sessions, from impact measurements to the insightful presentations, was invaluable. At MozFest, I had the privilege to hear directly from Mona Chalabi during the session for 'We're Data.' She underscored the crucial role of transforming statistical data into humanized information to make social and economic injustice visible. This session was the pinnacle of the MozFest event for me, as it illuminated the urgent need to communicate in a relatable format, a common challenge in conveying air quality data to the public, and highlighted the potential impact clear communication can achieve in addressing global challenges. Both events were testaments to the power of networking and collaboration. The networking engagements were not just valuable but also fostered a sense of community. I had the opportunity to meet new people who were open to exploring potential collaborations, which further reinforced the importance of collective efforts in addressing global challenges.” - Richard Sserunjogi, AirQo

Celebrating Cultural Exchange and Unified Goals

“The best part of traveling and convening with an international cohort is learning from different cultures and approaches while still working toward a unified goal. The summit was an opportunity to feel the collective energy we've built toward addressing climate change and learn how everyone has something unique to offer to the solution.” - Katie Lamb, Catalyst Cooperative

Inspiring Discussions and Practical Applications

“This goes down as my favorite conference, and I appreciate all the work that went into gathering this group together and fostering a good atmosphere and exchange of ideas. The other groups' work is inspiring, close to ours in spirit but varied in application. To take one example, I've mentioned in several subsequent meetings some of the key points discussed on the energy costs of AI, and our tech lead has agreed to integrate the CodeCarbon tool to monitor the costs of our own inference. I learned a lot, enjoyed the fellowship, and came away with many leads for future collaboration. Thank you!” - Edward Boyda, Amazon Mining Watch

Heartwarming Connections and Future Collaborations

“Gathering all projects of the cohort at the same place felt very heartwarming. So many interesting people, behind the projects, and so nice to each other. I am grateful to have been part of this.” - Amine Saboni, Code Carbon

“Just being in the same room as others doing similar and inspiring work was really the high point for myself.” - Ando Shah, Sand Mining Watch

“I really enjoyed talking with the other teams of the cohort. And we may do some work together with them later.” - Benoît Courty, Code Carbon

The Power of Reconnection and Continuous Involvement

“Returning to MozFest was rewarding in ways that are only possible when there is continuity in your involvement with a community, when you're able to come back to similar spaces and familiar faces throughout different life stages and experiences. Reconnecting in person with people I first met 5 years ago as a first-timer and CMA awardee felt like home, as MozFest usually does, but I was still able to make new friendships and learn from new perspectives, which was equally exciting. Back in March, the Alumni Grant allowed me to reunite with the friends and collaborators I worked on Survival of the Best Fit (our CMA project) with, for the first time in 5 years. I facilitated a session based on our reflections and retrospective on that project, which came out of this reunion. Bringing it back to MozFest was thus full circle, but it also inspired me to think of ways to keep moving the conversation forward.” - Alia ElKattan, Alumni Connection Grant

Looking Forward

As we look back on the incredible experiences and connections made at MozFest House Amsterdam, our hearts are filled with hope and excitement for what's to come. The diverse perspectives and collective energy of our community continue to be the driving force behind our mission.

Looking ahead, we're beyond thrilled to announce our next big regional event of 2024, this time in Lusaka, Zambia! Registration opens in just a few weeks, and the event is set for November. Want to be the first to know when tickets go live? Sign up for our newsletter and stay in the loop!

Share Your Thoughts

Were you at the MozFest House Amsterdam? We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences. Don’t forget to nudge us by using the hashtag #MozFest

Video Recaps and Photos

Whether you missed it or just want to relive the magic, we've got you covered! Dive into the video recaps of our main stage sessions and soak in the insights and moments that made the festival unforgettable.

And don't forget to browse through our 3-day photo gallery to catch all the action, creativity, and vibrant energy that filled the event.