Who will maintain the future? Rethinking open source leadership for a new generation

A first-year student's experience with a campus club highlights the importance of introducing new members early to ensure community longevity, a lesson that resonates with the current challenges in open source communities. The aging demographic of open source contributors underscores the need for pathways that welcome and develop younger contributors, such as Gen Z, to prevent burnout and knowledge loss. The "Mountain of Engagement" framework is proposed to guide new contributors like the Gen Z persona "Sam," who seeks purpose and flexibility in contributing to meaningful projects. This model outlines stages from project discovery to leadership, emphasizing the importance of aligning traditional engagement methods with the unique preferences and needs of Gen Z, such as discovering projects through platforms like TikTok and Discord, and valuing shared stewardship over hierarchical control. The article advocates for building inclusive ecosystems in open source projects where new contributors feel welcomed and supported, ensuring they remain engaged long-term, ultimately helping sustain and grow open source communities.