When we talk about open source, we usually focus on code 
, governance models 
, and global collaboration 
. All of that matters. But what often gets overlooked is the human side of open source and that’s where local user groups play an outsized role.
As projects grow, they naturally become more distributed and more technology-focused. That scale is powerful 
, but it can also strip away human connection. Over time, this makes it harder to keep people engaged, motivated, and involved for the long run.
Local user groups help bring that human layer back.
They create recurring moments where contributors meet as people first. Monthly or quarterly touch points build relationships, trust, and a sense of belonging. And belonging is often what turns casual participation into long-term commitment.
I’ve seen this clearly through Cloud Native Austria 
. For a long time, Austria had many small meetups, but no shared moment that showed people they were part of something bigger. Creating a larger yearly event changed that. Smaller meetups across Vienna, Linz, Graz, Innsbruck, and Klagenfurt then sustained it. The combination mattered.
I’ve also seen this dynamic in OpenFeature, a global project under the Cloud Native Computing Foundation. Online collaboration works well, but over time you feel what’s missing. Creating small in-person gatherings alongside larger conferences helped strengthen relationships, shared context, and trust. Those conversations were rarely just about technology. They were about people.
Starting a local user group isn’t easy 
. Discoverability is often the hardest part. Dedication matters more than enthusiasm. Progress can feel slow. Consistency and community health make the difference between something that fades and something that lasts.
This is one of the reasons we’re building the Open Ecosystem. The goal is to give local communities a space to be discoverable, host conversations, and grow sustainably without adding unnecessary overhead.
Local user groups may seem small compared to global projects, but their impact is anything but small. They’re where relationships form, passion grows, and contributors stop feeling like anonymous usernames and start feeling like part of a community.
If you’re running a local group, thinking about starting one, or supporting them from a global project perspective, I’d love to hear what’s worked for you 
link to blogpost David Peter Hirsch | Community Ecosystem Senior Manager