OpenUK is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to advancing open technology across the United Kingdom. It champions three core pillars: Community, Legal & Policy, and Learning. These areas support the UK’s leadership in open source software, open hardware, and open data, fostering collaboration among businesses, academia, and the wider tech community.

The mission of OpenUK is to position the UK as a global leader in open technology, advocating for policies that support this vision and integrating open technology as a vital part of the UK’s economy and public services. OpenUK’s activities range from hosting events and awards programmes to providing comprehensive legal and policy guidance. For instance, the OpenUK Awards celebrate outstanding contributions to the UK’s open technology landscape, while its legal and policy initiatives work towards creating a supportive environment for the growth and adoption of open technologies.

In education, OpenUK is exceptionally active, running programmes such as OpenKidsCamp and the annual State of Open Con, now a flagship event in the global open-source community. Additionally, OpenUK conducts in-depth research and publishes reports on the economic impact and growing adoption of open-source technologies across the UK.

OpenUK envisions the UK as a global leader in open technology, where curated open technology solutions are the norm across public services, businesses, and for individuals alike. Supported by an extensive network of volunteers and partnerships, OpenUK serves as a central hub for open technology advocacy in the UK.

By engaging with policymakers, educators, and industry leaders, OpenUK unifies the UK’s open technology community, driving innovation and fostering collaboration on both national and global levels.