Michele Agostinelli
I have been working in Information Technology for more than 25 years, I have focused not only on building and maintaining reliable systems, but also on promoting the values of Free Software, open standards, transparency, and digital freedom.
I am part of Devol, a volunteer-driven collective that provides free access to a wide range of federated and open-source services, where I help manage and maintain the infrastructure. As an active member of the Prato Linux User Group (PLUG), I contribute to the promotion of Linux, Free Software, and digital rights through community initiatives and local events. Furthermore, I am proud to be one of the founding members of Fedimedia Italia APS, an association dedicated to promoting and supporting the Fediverse and a more open, decentralized web.
Session
Many Free Software projects, non-profit organizations, and digital rights communities have opened accounts on the Fediverse—but far fewer have succeeded in making it a real communication channel.
Simply copying posts from X, Facebook, or LinkedIn rarely works. The Fediverse follows different social dynamics, rewards authentic interaction, and offers opportunities that centralized platforms cannot provide.
Drawing on years of experience running and moderating some of Italy's largest Fediverse communities, this talk presents practical strategies that have helped thousands of users discover, join, and actively participate in decentralized social networks.
Rather than advocating an abrupt departure from Big Tech platforms, the session explores realistic migration strategies that allow organizations to maintain their existing audience while steadily growing independent communities.
Attendees will learn how to increase engagement, encourage voluntary migration, organize onboarding campaigns, leverage community directories and curated recommendations, and measure success using meaningful community metrics instead of algorithm-driven follower counts.
Whether you represent a Free Software project, an open source community, a public institution, or a non-profit organization, you'll leave with practical techniques you can apply immediately.