[OSGeo-Conf] FOSS4G2019 Bucharest TGP Application

[Vasile Craciunescu]

Dear all,

I'm forwarding you the TGP application for FOSS4G 2019 Global.

As already discussed informally with Steven and Till, we are requesting 
15,000$ from OSGeo. We do understand that we have to match that with 
15,000$ from BLOC sources and that we have to provide free tickets for 
all selected TGP recipients for the main conference, one day of 
workshops, gala dinner and ice breaker. We plan to obtain the necessary 
financial resources from sponsors. There will be 3 different sizes of 
travel grants available:

- €220 Delegates from nearby locations (Central and Eastern Europe);
- €440 Delegates from slightly further afield;
- €880 Delegates from outside of the region;

To be eligible for a TG, applicants should note that:

- Strong preference will be given to Central and Eastern European residents;
- The BLOC wishes to encourage women applicants and others who will 
increase the diversity of our attendees;
- Students in disciplines using open source geo applications.

BLOC has a team of volunteers available to administer the selection 
process. Several hostels have agreements with BLOC to for FOSS4G 
participants but the reservation must be confirmed well in advance.

We are fully committed to take all the above mentioned responsibilities 
but we would like to make the Conference Committee Members aware of 
several facts:

- When the Bucharest 2019 bid proposal was submitted (late 2017), in our 
financial calculations, we follow the 2017 TGP[1], where 10 people 
attended FOSS4G2017 with TGP support and where BLOC only "offered 
reduced fees for workshop participation". At that time, our commitment 
was to support with free tickets all the participants attending the 
conference with financial help from TGP.

- One important objective of Bucharest 2019 proposal was to be as 
affordable as possible. This is deeply reflected in our budget and in 
our final offer for the participants:
    -- The lowest early bird fee in the history of this event (330 Euro);
    --  50% discount for students and participants from low income 
countries (up to 100 tickets);
    -- free accommodation for students/volunteers in students dorms;
    -- up to 100 free tickets for volunteers;
    -- free tickets for workshop presenters;

- We aim to award grants for approximately 75 participants. This means a 
total financial commitment from BLOC side alone (cash + tickets) of 
roughly €41,000. This is considerably higher than our initial estimation 
of €10,000, on which our budget was build. Of course, the real value of 
the tickets is a little bit less as the standard prices include a small 
margin of profit. Though, that margin is really really small as we aim 
to offer an historical low price and other discounts. Also, remember 
that granting more smaller grants (like €220) we will increase the 
number and value of free tickets that BLOC will have to cover.

- BLOC committed to do all the conference work for free. Nobody is paid. 
We did hire a PCO but all other work is on volunteer basis. All the 
profit, if any, will be transferred to OSGeo. This means that, in the 
end, all TGP money are OSGeo's money. At this point, we cannot provide 
any guaranties that the event will be a financial success and we will 
have a profit to send to OSGeo. Everything looks fine, people are 
registering, sponsors are coming, but is still very early to know for sure.

Thank you for the patience of reading this message.

Warm regards,
Vasile
Chair, FOSS4G 2019