Open source creates value, but how do you measure it?

Open source software significantly impacts the global economy by allowing developers to focus on innovation rather than reinventing tools, which benefits industries and economies by driving GDP growth, labor productivity, and startup formation. Despite its contributions, open source often lacks recognition from policymakers who may overlook its potential or inadvertently harm collaboration with their policies. The GitHub Policy Team aims to bridge this gap by engaging with policymakers to highlight open source's economic and societal value, using research to demonstrate its impact on local economies and innovation. Key areas of focus include understanding macroeconomic impacts, the value of individual projects, and the relationship between open source and innovation. The team encourages further research to address unanswered questions and invites collaboration to improve policy and sustain open source contributions globally.