FOSDEM 2026, a premier free and open-source software conference, is scheduled for January 31-February 1 at the ULB Solbosch campus in Brussels, Belgium. With over 8,000 attendees and 70 parallel tracks, the event's massive scale is managed entirely by volunteers. According to a DEV Community post, volunteering offers a unique way to experience the conference, providing behind-the-scenes access and skill-building opportunities.

Tasks range from build-up logistics and speaker support to crowd management and cleanup. Participants can volunteer for short shifts, ensuring they still attend talks, and can register via the official volunteers.fosdem.org portal. This community-driven approach is essential for the event's operation, fostering networking and a sense of ownership among developers.