The Alt Ctrl Org side event, held alongside WordCamp Europe 2025 in Basel, was initially envisioned as an informal meetup and a safe space for free expression and discussion about the open web. But the idea quickly gained traction. More than 200 people turned up, and the event was broadcast live on YouTube.

When the event was first announced, organizers weren’t sure what to expect. According to one team member: “The Klara food court, located near Basel’s Congress Center [where WCEU 2025 was held], let us use its annex room for free — on the condition that 40 meals would be consumed on site.”

Registrations soon outpaced expectations. Klara responded with remarkable flexibility, first making its 200-seat basement room available, then reserving its 35-seat “Séparée” back room as well. Still, it wasn’t enough — 150 people were placed on a waiting list. Some made it in at the last minute, while others missed out entirely when registered attendees didn’t show.

The high demand prompted organizers to arrange a video stream, which was projected onto a large screen in the main food court and broadcast live on YouTube. It also turned into a profitable night for Klara’s nine kitchens and bar — an appreciated outcome for the venue’s adaptability.

Midway through the evening, the announcement of the FAIR project launch drew significant attention. While a major moment, it inadvertently overshadowed other speakers and topics. As the organizers noted, AltCtrl.org isn’t the official voice of FAIR, but a broader platform for open source discussion and community exchange.

Zoë Kooyman, Executive Director of the Free Software Foundation, opened the event by drawing a clear line between free software and open source. She advocated for the former, emphasizing user freedoms, ethics, and social solidarity over profit.

Olivier Dobberkau, President of the TYPO3 Association, followed with a presentation on TYPO3’s governance model. He emphasized that members should be placed above the board in decision-making, urging WordPress to avoid concentrating power in the hands of technical leads alone.

Next, Vlad-Stefan Harbuz shared insights from his work on the Open Source Pledge, which raised over $2.5 million in the past year to support maintainers. He called for new models of collective governance.

A panel discussion moderated by Javier Casares brought the three speakers together to explore some of the WordPress community’s biggest concerns: falling contributor engagement, trust issues, contributor burnout, lack of recognition, and the need for clearer goals and a shared social contract.

Before the FAIR launch announcement, Sé Reed, President and CEO of The WP Community Collective, gave a passionate talk urging the community to reclaim WordPress. “We need collaboration more than ever,” she said. Matt Leach presented the AspirePress package, followed by Francesca Marano introducing Joost de Valk and Karim Marucchi for the FAIR Package Manager launch—a moment that sparked numerous questions from attendees.

For the organizers, the night was unforgettable. “This experience felt life-changing for me,” said Gus Austin. “I had never before met such a group of people that would open doors for me, a complete stranger at the time, in return for nothing. I felt the power of collectivism and kindness.”

Veerle Verbert added: “I just loved the team, the content, and the vibe. And the mere fact it just happened… it felt like the WordPress event I’ve needed for a long time. Started without a dime, without sponsored time, without anything. Just the gut feeling it needed to happen. WCEU did need a totally independent side event. I think we did just that.”

Feature image credit: Kostas Fryganiotis.