During the OSPOs for Good event, at the United Nations headquarters in New York City, Open Source Initiative (OSI) and Linux Professional Institute (LPI) have confirmed a new alliance to address the growing demand for employability from public and private organizations worldwide. This will bring the two groups together to collaborate on technical education projects aimed at increasing professional growth for both Linux and open source technologies.

The agreement bolsters LPI's professional certification by ensuring that open source licenses meet open source software requirements and encouraging members of the public to participate in the development and maintenance of open source projects and achieve certifications.

This coming together will also help both LPI and OSI financially, because it means they will be eligible to receive certain discounts and exclusive opportunities. However, more importantly, both organizations will collaborate on initiatives that strengthen the Linux and open source ecosystems.

According to Stefano Maffulli, Executive Director at OSI, “The global open source movement has generated immeasurable economic value, yet the movement has never been in greater need of educated professionals to drive the next leap forward in open source understanding, innovation, and adoption." Maffulli continues, "OSI exists to both promote the Open Source Definition and to encourage the growth of open source communities around the world. This partnership with LPI is one in a series of initiatives that will increase accessibility to the certifications and community participation that open source needs to thrive.”

G. Matthew Rice, Executive Director at LPI, had this to say of the alliance: “It is our mission to promote the use of open source by supporting the people who work with it. A closer relationship with OSI makes a valuable contribution to this effort. We are excited to open up new opportunities for people around the world – personally, professionally, and in their communities."