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Get secure with a smartcard and support FSFE’s work in 2015

on: 2014-12-03

Free Software Foundation Europe is a pan-European charity, established in 2001 to empower users to control technology. To enable the organisation to intensify its work with the European Commission and to let more people know about Free Software, the FSFE needs another €190,000 for its work in 2015. Next year, the FSFE will push harder than ever to weave software freedom into the fabric of our society.

The new European Commission is currently setting the direction of its policy making for the coming five years. The FSFE is in frequent contact with Commission staff who currently see open doors for Free Software in Brussels. In 2015, the FSFE wants to use this momentum to push for changes on software procurement, standardisation, and device sovereignty, and create real progress for Free Software and Open Standards.

At the same time, in 2015 the FSFE will reach out to more people, and go to more places where people do not yet know about Free Software. The FSFE will expand its network of local groups throughout Europe. The organisation is constantly translating its increasingly popular promotion materials into many European languages. Local volunteers can spread the word about Free Software by ordering gratis promotion packs, and distributing the materials at libraries, cinemas, shops and in other places, greatly extending the reach of the Free Software message.

The best way to support the FSFE's work is to become a Fellow (a sustaining member of the FSFE). All Fellowship contributions directly benefit the FSFE’s work towards a free society. Fellows receive a state-of-the-art Fellowship smartcard which, together with the free GnuPG encryption software and a card reader, can be used to sign and encrypt e-mails, to secure SSH keys, to securely log into a computer from a potentially insecure machine, or to store the user’s hard disk encryption keys. Since the encryption key is stored on the card itself, it is almost impossible to steal.

There is also the option to make a one time donation to the FSFE.

To continue its work in 2015, the FSFE will need €420,000 in total. The organisation has already secured €230,000 thanks to existing sustaining members, regular donations, and merchandise sales. The FSFE requires another €190,000 to underwrite its work in 2015.