Building Community Beyond the Screen (Patreon)

Hello, valued supporters!

This year has been about bringing Mastodon to people at more in-person events and strengthening the human connections that make the Fediverse thrive.

Recent highlights:

Mastodon workshop (House for Journalism and the Public Sphere, Germany): We introduced 40+ journalists, media professionals and casual users to Mastodon, creating a space for people to share their social media experiences and discover alternatives together.

re:publica 2025 (Berlin, Germany): Our community meetup drew 83 attendees (we expected 35!), proving the appetite for genuine conversation about technology and society.

International Journalism Festival (Perugia, Italy): We hosted discussions with 25+ journalists about how Mastodon supports independent reporting.

What we've learned: At every event, people shared personal stories about how social media affects them. Many expressed wanting to change their online habits but feeling unsure about how to take that first step. Whether it was journalists concerned about platform dependency or community members seeking healthier digital relationships, the common thread was people looking for practical ways to reclaim agency over their online experience.

Looking ahead: We're participating in more events that connect digital rights advocates, policymakers, and people who want technology that serves humanity.

Your support makes it possible for us to take part in these events and create more real-world connections. Thank you for helping us prove that social media can be different—and better.

Want to meet other supporters? Join our Discord community for behind-the-scenes discussions. https://discord.gg/cPJWqm2ZEh