EuroPython Blog

EuroPython runs on people power—real people giving their time to make it happen. No flashy titles, just real work: setting up rooms, guiding speakers, helping attendees find their way, or making sure everyone feels welcome. Some help run sessions, others support accessibility needs or troubleshoot the Wi-Fi. 

It’s all about showing up, pitching in, and sharing a passion for Python. This is what a community looks like.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Niklas Mertsch, member of the Operations team at EuroPython 2025. Check out what he has to say about the volunteering experience.

EP: What's one thing about the programming community that made you want to give back by volunteering?

For me, it is not about “giving back” but about “participating”. I started volunteering out of curiosity, and continued because of the people and interactions. It started with a conversation, and it led to many more.

EP: Did you learn any new skills while volunteering at EuroPython? If so, which ones?

I can't name a “new” skill, but working with an intrinsically motivated, international and intercultural team definitely improved my social and communication skills.

EP: Did you have any unexpected or funny experiences during the EuroPython?

Tons of them, you never know what happens before or during the event. One time I just tried to print a WiFi QR code, then spent the next hours talking to someone I now call a good friend. And some months later that friend nudged me to answer these questions. You never know what you get and where it will lead you, but you know it will be good.

EP: Thank you for your work, Niklas!

Discover the motivations behind volunteering, the challenges and rewards of organizing such a significant conference, and the impact it has on both attendees and contributors. Hear personal stories and learn how individuals like our interviewee help shape the future of Python through their commitment and collaboration.

In our latest interview Kshitijaa Jaglan, a member of the Sponsorship Team at EuroPython 2025, shares thoughts on enabling sponsors, finding a new community, and more.

EP: Had you attended EuroPython before volunteering, or was volunteering your first experience with it?

I attended EuroPython remotely during COVID, but this was my first time at the conference in person, and my first time volunteering!

EP: What's one task you handled that attendees might not realize happens behind the scenes at EuroPython?

I worked in the sponsorship team, and it’s not as attendee-facing as some other teams. A big part is building and maintaining relationships. For the new sponsors, we’re the face of the conference, and everything we do reflects on it. For the returning ones who chose to trust us again, it is our responsibility to maintain that level of credibility and ensure a fruitful experience for everyone involved!

EP: How did volunteering for EuroPython impact your relationships within the community?

Before volunteering, I barely knew anyone beyond a few names on LinkedIn and Twitter. When I showed up on crutches on day one, I wasn't sure what to expect, but the warmth was immediate. I still remember meeting Anežka on day one and her energy felt like we'd known each other forever. Now, ramping up for EuroPython 2026 and seeing everyone's faces on gMeet brings back all the joy. I came in knowing no one, now this community feels like home.

EP: What's one thing you took away from the experience that you still use today?

How genuinely people in this community root for each other. You see it in small moments, like Raquel cheering me on from her A/V setup while I was on stage. That kind of support sticks with you and reminds you to show up the same way for others.

EP: If you could add one thing to make the volunteer experience even better, what would it be?

I wish the conference lasted for a few more days!

EP: Do you have any tips for first-time EuroPython volunteers?

EuroPython is a welcoming community - you’ll bond over shared experiences before you know it! Just stay open, and your environment will do the rest.

EP: If you could describe the volunteer experience in three words, what would they be?

Wholesome beautiful chaos.

EP: Thank you for your contribution to the conference, Kshitijaa!

Ever wonder what powers EuroPython? 🐍 No it’s not coffee—It's volunteers! From stage MCs to sponsor ambassadors, Wi-Fi wizards to vibe guardians, we’re the invisible threads weaving community magic. No title, no capes—just passion. 

Join us in celebrating one of the humans behind the keyboard. Read our latest interview with Cristián Maureira-Fredes, co-lead of the Programme Team at EuroPython 2025.

Words are not enough to thank you, Cristián!

EP: What's one task you handled that attendees might not realize happens behind the scenes at EuroPython?

I believe many attendees from EuroPython and other conferences think that the Programme teams are usually setting up a form for people to submit proposals, then ask a few people to vote, and select the higher scores, that would be a simplistic and very incorrect description of what really happens in the Programme teams.

Besides setting up a platform for submitting proposals, there are lots of tasks that are very time-consuming, like:

• Anonymising proposals for reviewers to have a neutral approach when reviewing proposals,
• Setting up reviewers groups and communicating processes and the expected output,
•  Interpretation of reviews, to avoid people mistakenly giving an incorrect negative score to proposals,
• Once scored, the submissions needs to be categorized and analyzed to create a balanced schedule which attendees expect,

There are lots of hard decisions to make. We are truthful when communicating that good proposals need to be rejected or left in the waiting list, which brings the next major invisible challenge: cancelled talks.

Every year, we have experienced lots of cancellations of confirmed talks due to many reasons, from VISA problems to no-shows. Yep, you read that right, sometimes we got confirmed speakers not showing up. Many “emergency talks” need to be quickly accepted in order to provide a schedule without many missing talks. This is the most stressful part of running a Programme team, and usually, people are not aware of it.

EP: How has volunteering at EuroPython impacted your own career or learning journey?

The human aspect of the conference is the most important part for me, I truly believe everyone volunteering to conferences wants the best for the event. Through this process, you end up knowing people better, and understand their motivations and decision-making direction. We, humans, are a complicated species, and wherever you have human interactions, you will have agreement and disagreement. Learning how these relationships are developed, and doing your best to avoid too much friction, is a very tricky but fulfilling part of this. I believe this has had a good impact on my career and learning journey, because at my paid work, I have a technical lead/manager position, where similar situations can occur.

Something else I have seen closely, but I have not benefited from so far, is the networking that you get out of volunteering at the conference. If you prove yourself to work well and are looking for a job, I think it’s an amazing opportunity for you to potentially find your next challenge. We have people from many companies around the globe, who certainly will consider you in case they have open positions, more importantly, if you have good dynamics with other volunteers, that works better for you than submitting your resume.

EP: Is there something about the programming community that made you want to give back by participating in EuroPython?

Totally, I remember that one of the motivations I had when starting contributing was  wanting to improve things I believed (from my little bubble) needed improvement. Back then at EuroPython 2019 (my first one), I remember feeling very isolated and looking only at a few people that were doing their best to integrate new people into the community. Additionally, I noticed that not many talks were bringing new topics from my perspective, so I thought of maybe helping with reviews.

After speaking at EuroPython 2019, I failed to get a talk accepted in 2020, but decided to join remotely as well, and in 2021 got another talk accepted, but failed again in 2022. Then I thought about participating by volunteering so I could enjoy the conference not only by giving talks, but helping it directly. After all, organizers were doing a call for volunteers after each event, so it was just a matter of time.

Once I started volunteering, I noticed it was a challenging but gratifying experience, so I have been around since then, helping with whatever I can. It’s important to understand that even if you are in charge of a team, you are still a conference volunteer, so running around bringing items, contacting people, or taking care of other volunteers is your responsibility as well.

I enjoy being in touch with friends, having a nice time, and celebrating when the conference is over.

EP: If you could describe the volunteer experience in three words, what would they be?

I’d say for me the words are: “Motivating - Challenging - Rewarding”.

Motivating, because initially you are swamped with ideas on how to improve everything and make an even better conference.

Challenging, because you need to be prepared to solve problems, some of which are new, and it is up to you to do your best.

Rewarding, because of those moments when everything is over, and you see the smile on people’s faces, and how much they are looking forward to the next one. That is a nice reward.

EP: Did you have any unexpected or funny experiences during the EuroPython?

Leaving behind the unexpected last-minute cancellations experiences that I mentioned before, which were very unexpected, I believe that meeting people in-real-life has been very cool! You meet people in online communities all the time, people working on modules or projects that you use, or who you have seen online. Additionally, getting to know people who have been organizing EuroPython in the past or other conferences around Europe and the world has been very nice.

From the funny side, I’d say there are little things, like discovering you attended events together with other folks, but back then you didn’t know each other, or that in the past there was some interaction on Telegram, Discord, or IRC (yeah, I’m that old) and noticing “wow, so you are <nickname>!”.

EP: What keeps you coming back to volunteer year after year?

As I mentioned before, I think the human part is what motivates me the most. I know that by being there, I’m responsible for making things work well, for people to be happy, comfortable, enjoying talks, or talking in the corridor. And maybe some people will think “You know what? Next time I will be volunteering, I love this conference”, this is what brings me to EuroPython every year.

Meeting other volunteers, organizers and attendees that I haven’t met for many months, even years, is always a good excuse as well. EuroPython has become a meeting point for many people in our community, and I would like for that to never disappear.

EP: What is the key to being a good volunteer at EuroPython?

Being responsible for what you committed yourself to do is the key. We all have issues which we need to handle and leave the conference aside, but many people fail to communicate. Believe me, people will understand those situations, but it is very important to be upfront and say “Hey, I don’t have time this week/month, can someone take care of ___?”.

This is volunteering work, but volunteering still needs reliable people, otherwise things can fail. Many people feel bad not being able to do something, but as long as you don’t disappear without a trace, and people don’t need to figure out what you were working on, or if someone else should pick up your tasks, that’s a great portion of what defines “a good volunteer” in my eyes.

EP: Thank you, Cristián!

Behind every attendee registered, there's a community. Behind every talk, a team. EuroPython isn't just a conference—it's a labor of grace, 100% volunteer-powered.

To the wranglers who herded sessions, the code guardians updating the conference website, the social magicians leading events, the quiet heroes debugging ticket sales systems—thank you. You’re not just volunteers; you’re the open-source spirit in human form.

In today's interview we'd like to highlight contributions of Daksh P. Jain, member of the Communications & Design Team at EuroPython 2025.

Thank you so much, Daksh!

EP: Did you learn any new skills while volunteering at EuroPython? If so, which ones?

I was doing lots of designs for EuroPython - website, stickers, badge, etc., so I definitely expanded my design horizon more. Designing for thousands of attendees forced me to think more about clarity, accessibility, and consistency than I normally do (and now after the conference, I learned more about where and how I can do even better!)

On a personal level, I learned how to work with multiple teams together, and also became more confident in taking initiative, communicating my ideas clearly, and trusting my judgment.

EP: What's one thing about the programming community that made you want to give back by volunteering?

I’ve been into communities for a very very long time and I can certainly say that communities have shaped me into who I am today. I wouldn’t have learnt Python if it weren’t for a mentor I found in the community who believed in me. I wouldn’t have been organizing PyDelhi if it weren’t for the past organizers of PyDelhi who wanted me to take a step ahead. I also wouldn’t have been at EuroPython or doing a consulting/freelancing role or finding work or just being who I am without communities.

There are a lot of people who found the potential in me and wanted to see me grow, and I did (and still am!) And I want to do the same for someone else, potentially more than just a few people. And volunteering in larger communities and conferences boosts that contribution. You may not see it, but somewhere your work might be helping or shaping someone very slightly, and over the years, everything adds up to become bigger (and gives a ripple effect).

EP: Did you have any unexpected or funny experiences during the EuroPython?

There are 2 moments that are the most memorable for me:

1. We were trying to print and laminate the EuroPython 2026 ticket, to give to the person who wins the quiz. Unfortunately the paper got jammed in the printer and we were in a bit of a hurry. Initially it was just me and one person trying to fix the printer, soon enough more people joined. Eventually it took 6 software engineers and 1 YouTube video to fix the printer jam, which was as simple as removing a lid from the bottom and taking the paper out, but none of us could figure that out 😂

2. Having real conversations. I usually expect conferences to be formal where people only talk about work, and maybe do a bit of fun on the side, but not proper real conversations. Turns out I was wrong, I was able to have really beautiful (and full of depth) conversations with a few people, and those conversations till date come to mind and help me in certain situations! I’m certainly grateful for that, and this was very unexpected!

EP: What surprised you most about the volunteer experience?

I was surprised by the amount of trust and ownership given to volunteers. Even as someone new, I felt encouraged to take initiative, make decisions, and contribute beyond just “assigned tasks.” It didn’t feel like volunteering on the sidelines, it felt like being part of the core team. Also since the scale of EuroPython is massive, what surprised me was how calmly things were handled behind the scenes. Even when something went wrong, people collaborated instead of panicking. And also how well everything was planned on Google Sheets, everything from time slots to who will do what, and it was very smooth.

EP: If you could add one thing to make the volunteer experience even better, what would it be?

More ice breakers and fun activities in-person with all volunteers! I met a lot of new people and I felt that sometimes they were a little hesitant because I was unfamiliar to them, and the reverse happened with me as well, sometimes I felt a little hesitant as well. It would be great if all the volunteers and organizers could get some extra time out to just socialize and know each other better. This would make the volunteering experience a little better, and more comfortable! I’m happy to pitch in some ideas that I have seen work in the community.

EP: What would you say to someone considering volunteering at EuroPython but feeling hesitant?

My best advice would be to fight your inner thoughts a bit, and just honestly go for it! There are 2 major reasons I’d suggest anyone to try it at least once:

1. The learning and experience you get from being part of organizing something so large is really amazing. Not only do you see how things are worked out in the back end, how many people and the way people collaborate together and how the chaos is handled, it’s close to chaos engineering but in real life :P And that is a lot of fun! You might take away a lot from the chaos engineering IRL and understanding and doing people-oriented/community work in general.

2. You make really amazing friends. Personally, I made some really amazing memories with fellow volunteers while I was at EuroPython. We played games together, jammed together at the social event, attended talks and went to explore the city. If you are lucky enough, you might also find friends who you are able to share deeper thoughts and problems with, and they do it too!

Oh and did I mention everyone is very welcoming and friendly? When I joined for the first time, especially as a remote volunteer sitting in another continent who had absolutely no idea of how the conference actually works, I felt very welcome and the team helped me in understanding everything about EuroPython. There’s a lot of room for new people to pitch in ideas and own them, and get support from everyone :)

EP: What stayed with you after the conference ended?

For me, the relationships, conversations, and sense of belonging lasted far beyond the event itself, and that’s something I didn’t expect going in. I also took away a deeper appreciation for “real tech” work, people building and improving core tools and systems, not just solving product- or client-specific problems (what I do, although I know it is equally important). Coming from the Indian community ecosystem, where conferences often lean more towards services because of our largely service-based economy, it was refreshing to hear first-hand stories about things like making a better Django ORM alternative, the trade-offs involved, and the real problems faced while building foundational technology. That perspective has stayed with me and influenced how I think about my own work.

EP: Thank you for your contribution, Daksh!

Every year, thousands of Python enthusiasts gather at EuroPython to share knowledge, forge connections, and celebrate our vibrant community. But behind the seamless workshops, engaging talks, and memorable networking sessions stands an incredible team of volunteers who transform this vision into reality.

Today, we're thrilled to introduce you to Jake Balas, one of the dedicated individuals who makes EuroPython possible. In addition to being a member of the Operations Team, Jake led onsite volunteers at EuroPython 2025. Once you enter the conference, the first people you see are those in yellow t-shirts. They’re our on-site volunteers. Those are the folks who assist attendees, chair sessions, and hand out badges.

Coordinating this group is no small feat—in 2025 it included over 50 individuals working across 7 days of the conference, switching among 10 different roles few times a day. 

Join us as Jake shares his experiences, insights, and the rewarding challenges of volunteering at one of Europe's largest Python conferences.

EP: Had you attended EuroPython before volunteering, or was volunteering your first experience with it?

Volunteering was my first experience with EuroPython. I would feel a bit strange just enjoying the awesomeness without some adrenaline.

EP: What was your primary role as a volunteer, and what did a typical day look like for you?

I was predominantly managing on-site volunteers. In the days before the conference, the focus was mostly on building a rock-solid on-site team — lots of emails and meetings. During the conference itself, the days were a bit of a blur; many things were happening, usually all at the same time 🙂 Coordination was the name of the game, and luckily the team was pretty much self-managing, so I could focus on corner cases.

EP: Was there a moment when you felt your contribution really made a difference?

The very first day, when attendees started to arrive and things just worked. 

EP: Did you make any lasting friendships or professional connections through volunteering?

Yes, definitely. Not only with other volunteers, but also with some sponsors and attendees. I highly value this aspect of organising a conference. 

EP: If you could describe the volunteer experience in three words, what would they be?

Worth every second.

EP: What would you say to someone considering volunteering at EuroPython but feeling hesitant?

In my opinion, volunteering enriches the enjoyment of the whole event even further. There are many different roles to suit different personalities and abilities — one of them could suit you very well. Also, volunteering is about the team; you will not be left alone in any case.

EP: Thank you for your work, Jake!

Behind every inspiring talk, networking session, and workshop at EuroPython lies countless hours of dedication from our amazing volunteers. From organizing logistics and securing speakers to welcoming attendees, these passionate community members make our conference possible year after year. Without their selfless commitment and hard work, EuroPython simply wouldn't exist.

Here’s our recent conversation with Naa Ashiorkor Nortey, who led the EuroPython 2025 Speaker Mentorship Team, contributed to the Programme Team and mentored at the Humble Data workshop.

We appreciate your work on the conference, Naa!

EP: Had you attended EuroPython before volunteering, or was volunteering your first experience with it?

My first experience volunteering at EuroPython was in 2023. I volunteered at the registration desk and as a session chair, and I’m still here volunteering.

EP: What's one task you handled that attendees might not realize happens behind the scenes at EuroPython?

I can’t think of a specific task, but I would say that some attendees might not realise the number of hours volunteers put in for EuroPython. Usually, a form might be filled out with the number of hours a volunteer can dedicate in a week, but in reality the number of hours invested might be way more than that. There are volunteers in different time zones with different personal lives, so imagine making all that work.

EP: Was there a moment when you felt your contribution really made a difference?

Generally, showing up at the venue after months of planning, it just hit me how much difference my contribution makes. Specifically at EuroPython 2025, where I had the opportunity to lead the Speaker Mentorship Team. I interviewed one of the mentees during the conference. She mentioned that it was her first time speaking and highlighted how the speaker mentorship programme and her mentor greatly impacted her. At that moment, I felt my contribution really made a difference.

EP: What surprised you most about the volunteer experience?

The dedication and commitment of some of the volunteers were so inspiring. 

EP: If you could describe the volunteer experience in three words, what would they be?

Fun learning experience. 

EP: Do you have any tips for first-time EuroPython volunteers?

Don’t be afraid to volunteer, even if it involves leading one of the teams or contributing to a team you have no experience with. You can learn the skills needed in the team while volunteering. Everyone is supportive and ready to help. Communicate as much as you can and enjoy the experience.

EP: Thank you for the interview, Naa!

EuroPython depends entirely on the dedication of volunteers who invest tremendous effort into bringing it to life. From managing sponsor relationships and designing the event schedule to handling registration systems and organizing social events, countless hours of passionate work go into ensuring each year surpasses the last.

Discover our recent conversation with Rodrigo Girão Serrão, who served on the EuroPython 2025 Programme Team.

We're grateful for your work on the conference programme, Rodrigo!

EP: Had you attended EuroPython before volunteering, or was volunteering your first experience with it?

When I attended my first EuroPython in person I was not officially a volunteer but ended up helping a bit. Over the years, my involvement with EuroPython as a volunteer and organiser has been increasing exponentially!

EP: Are there any new skills you learned while volunteering at EuroPython? If so, which ones?

Volunteering definitely pushed me to develop many skills. As an example, hosting the sprints developed my social skills since I had to welcome all the participants and ensure they had everything they needed. It also improved my management skills, from supporting the project sprint organisers to coordinating with venue staff.

EP: Did you have any unexpected or funny experiences during EuroPython?

In a recent EuroPython someone came up to me after my tutorial and said something like “I doubted your tutorial was going to be good, but in the end it was good”. Why on Earth would that person doubt me in the first place and then come to me and admit it? 🤣

EP: Did you make any lasting friendships or professional connections through volunteering?

Yes to both! Many of these relationships grew over time through repeated interactions across multiple EuroPython editions and also other conferences. Volunteering created a sense of continuity and made it much easier to connect with the same people year after year.

EP: If you were to invite someone else, what do you think are the top 3 reasons to join the EuroPython organizing team?

Nothing beats the smiles and thank you’s you get when the conference is over. Plus, it is an amazing feeling to be part of something bigger than yourself.

EP: Would you volunteer again, and why?

Hell yeah! See above :)

EP: Thanks, Rodrigo!

EuroPython thrives thanks to dedicated volunteers who invest hundreds of hours into each conference. From speaker coordination and fundraising to workshop preparation, their commitment ensures every year surpasses the last.

Below is our latest interview with Doreen Peace Nangira Wanyama. Doreen wore many hats at EuroPython 2025, including being the lead organizer of the Django Girls workshop during the Beginners’ Day, helping in the Financial Aid Team, as well as volunteering on-site.

Thank you for contributing to the conference, Doreen!

EP: What first inspired you to volunteer for EuroPython? 

What inspired me was the diversity and inclusivity aspect in the EuroPython community. I had been following the EuroPython community since 2024 and what stood out for me was how inclusive it was. This was open not only to people from the EU but worldwide. I saw people from Africa getting the stage to speak and even the opportunity grants were there for everyone. I told myself wow! I should be part of this community. All I can say I will still choose EuroPython over and over.

EP: What was your primary role as a volunteer, and what did a typical day look like for you?

I had the opportunity to play two main roles. I was the Django Girls organizer and also part of the Financial Aid organizing team. In the Django Girls, I was in charge of putting out the call for coaches and Django Girls mentees. I ensured proper logistics were in place for all attendees and also worked with the communications team to ensure enough social media posts were made about the event. I also worked with coaches to set up the PCs for mentees for the workshop i.e. Django installation.In the Financial Aid Team, I worked with fellow team mates by putting out the call for finaid grants, reviewing applications and sending out acknowledgement emails. We prepared visa letters to accepted grant recipients to help with their visa application. We issued the conference tickets to both accepted online and onsite attendees. After the conference we did reimbursements for each grant recipient and followed up with emails to ensure everyone had been reimbursed.

EP: Did you make any lasting friendships or professional connections through contributing to the conference?

Yes. Contributing to this conference earned me new friends and professional connections. I got to meet and talk to people I would have hardly met out there. First of all, when I attended the conference I thought I would be the only database administrator there, well the EuroPython had a surprise for me. I met a fellow DBA from Germany and we would not stop talking about the importance of Python in our field. I got the opportunity of meeting the DSF president Thibaud Colas for the first time, someone who is down to earth and one who loves giving back to the community.I also got to meet Daria Linhart, a loving soul. Someone who is always ready to help. I remember getting stuck in Czech when I was looking for my accommodation. Daria used her Czech language skills to speak with my host and voila!

EP: How has volunteering at EuroPython impacted your own career or learning journey?

Volunteering at EuroPython made me realize that people can make you go far. Doing it all alone is possible but doing it as a team makes a big difference. Working with different people during this conference and attending talks made me realize the different areas I need to improve on.  

EP: What's your favorite memory from contributing at EuroPython?

My favourite memory is the daily social events after the conference. Wow! EuroPython made me explore the Czech Republic to the fullest. From the speakers' dinner on the first day to the Django birthday cake we cut, I really had great moments. I also can’t forget the variety of food we were offered. I enjoyed the whole cuisine and can’t wait to experience this again in the next EuroPython.

EP: If you were to invite someone else, what do you think are the top 3 reasons to join the EuroPython organizing team?

A. Freedom of expression — EuroPython is a free and open space. Everyone is allowed to express their views without bias.

B. Learning opportunities — Whether you are a first timer or a seasoned conference organizer, there is always something to learn here. You will learn new ways of doing things.

C. Loving and welcoming community — Want a place that feels like home, EuroPython community is the place.

EP: Thank you, Doreen!