GraphQL Locals 2025 - blog post and program update (#2184)

benjie · martinbonnin · web-flow · commit 4afd6be44351 · 2025-10-16T09:53:52.000-07:00
- [x] Seeking approval at GraphQL Governing Board. - Fixes #2166 --- Since launching the **GraphQL Local Initiative** last year, communities around the world have been gathering to share knowledge, collaborate, and strengthen their local GraphQL ecosystems. Over the past year, we’ve seen: - **GraphQL London** hosting three or four events a year — with another due in November - **GraphQL Sydney** diving into hot topics like GraphQL nullability - **GraphQL Berlin** meeting the day after GraphQLConf 2025 concluded in Amsterdam, requiring quick travel for Stephen and Michael! - **GraphQL Hyderabad** celebrating a fantastic first meetup - **GraphQL Austin** forming over ramen to plan a new series of events - **GraphQL Paris** and **GraphQL Oslo** preparing to meet later this month We also have local organizers working to bring people together in **Białystok**, **Philadelphia**, **Chennai**, **Belgium**, and more locations! ## We’ve heard you Feedback from organizers and attendees has been clear, so we're launching our 2025 refresh of the Locals program: - **Simpler applications:** Videos are no longer required — photos can substitute where needed - **More flexible events:** Locals can now host more than just talks — discussions, workshops, hackathons, Q&As, live recordings, and more are now eligible for support - **Increased sponsorship:** Support per event has doubled, from **USD $200** to **USD $400**, to help with food, drinks, and venue costs - **Clearer TSC oversight:** Independent meetups often die when the organizer steps down; by appointing a GraphQL TSC member as an admin, we can help ensure the continuity of the community over the long term These updates come directly from your feedback. You’re building something amazing, and we want to support you! ## Get involved Want to attend or start a GraphQL Local in your city? Find your nearest group or apply to start one on the [GraphQL Local Initiative page](/community/foundation/local-initiative). Together, we’re building a global network of local communities — sharing ideas, growing connections, and keeping GraphQL vibrant everywhere. --------- Co-authored-by: Martin Bonnin <martin@mbonnin.net>
diff --git a/src/pages/blog/2025-10-16-graphql-local-initiative-update.mdx b/src/pages/blog/2025-10-16-graphql-local-initiative-update.mdx
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+---
+title: "GraphQL Locals 2025: Increasing Support"
+tags: ["announcements", "foundation"]
+date: 2025-10-16
+byline: Benjie Gillam
+---
+
+Since launching the **GraphQL Local Initiative** last year, communities around
+the world have been gathering to share knowledge, collaborate, and strengthen
+their local GraphQL ecosystems. Over the past year, we’ve seen:
+
+- **GraphQL London** hosting three or four events a year — with another due in November
+- **GraphQL Sydney** diving into hot topics like GraphQL nullability
+- **GraphQL Berlin** meeting the day after GraphQLConf 2025 concluded in Amsterdam,
+  requiring quick travel for Stephen and Michael!
+- **GraphQL Hyderabad** celebrating a fantastic first meetup
+- **GraphQL Austin** forming over ramen to plan a new series of events
+- **GraphQL Paris** and **GraphQL Oslo** preparing to meet later this month
+
+We also have local organizers working to bring people together in **Białystok**,
+**Philadelphia**, **Chennai**, **Belgium**, and more locations!
+
+## We’ve heard you
+
+Feedback from organizers and attendees has been clear, so we're launching our
+2025 refresh of the Locals program:
+
+- **Simpler applications:** Videos are no longer required — photos can substitute
+  where needed
+- **More flexible events:** Locals can now host more than just talks —
+  discussions, workshops, hackathons, Q&As, live recordings, and more are now
+  eligible for support
+- **Increased sponsorship:** Support per event has doubled, from **USD $200** to
+  **USD $400**, to help with food, drinks, and venue costs
+- **Clearer TSC oversight:** Independent meetups often die when the organizer
+  steps down; by appointing a GraphQL TSC member as an admin, we can help ensure
+  the continuity of the community over the long term
+
+These updates come directly from your feedback. You’re building something
+amazing, and we want to support you!
+
+## Get involved
+
+Find your nearest group in [GraphQL Events & Meetups](/community/events), or get
+help setting one up via the [GraphQL Local
+Initiative](/community/foundation/local-initiative).
+
+Together, we’re building a global network of local communities — sharing ideas,
+growing connections, and keeping GraphQL vibrant everywhere.
diff --git a/src/pages/community/foundation/local-initiative.mdx b/src/pages/community/foundation/local-initiative.mdx
@@ -34,19 +34,31 @@ Organizers of a Local must agree:
 - Official communications will comply with the
   **[GraphQL Brand Guidelines](https://graphql.org/brand/)**.
 - The Local accepts **GraphQL TSC oversight**:
+  - Provides continuity for group members should we lose contact with an
+    organizer.
   - At least one
-    [GraphQL Technical Steering Committee (TSC) member](https://github.com/graphql/graphql-wg/blob/main/GraphQL-TSC.md#tsc-members)
-    must be granted administrator access to the Local’s online platforms (we
-    will assign a TSC member and supply the relevant details on approval of
-    your Local).
-  - In case of a serious Code of Conduct breach, an organizer may be replaced.
+    [GraphQL Technical Steering Committee (TSC)
+    member](https://github.com/graphql/graphql-wg/blob/main/GraphQL-TSC.md#tsc-members)
+    must be granted administrator access to the Local’s online platforms. (If
+    you don't know any TSC members, one will be recommended when you apply.)
+  - In the case of a serious Code of Conduct breach, the TSC may take
+    appropriate actions.
 - The Local has 1 or more organizer from the area. (We're pretty flexible on the
   definition of "from the area", just be reasonable.)
-- Each official event will have at least least one **organizer present**.
+- Each official event will have at least one **organizer present**.
 - Official events will be held in an appropriate **professional setting**.
-- Official events will feature at least one GraphQL-related talk (the format can
-  vary: lecture, lightning talk, panel, AMA, etc).
-- These **talks will be recorded** and made freely available online.
+- Official events will feature at least one signficant GraphQL-related activity:
+  - Talk: lecture, lightning talk, panel, AMA, etc
+  - Q&A
+  - Discussion / roundtable / birds of a feather
+  - Workshop / coding challenge / hackathon
+  - Live podcast/video recording
+  - Other ideas? Reach out!
+- These **activities will be recorded**, or photographed if recording isn’t practical
+  or appropriate, and made freely available online with or without editing.
+  - Publishing to [@GraphQLFoundationTalks on
+    YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@GraphQLFoundationTalks) is possible - just
+    ask!
 - Official events will be be **announced at least two weeks in advance**.
   Popular ticketing platforms include Eventbrite, Guild.host, and Meetup.com.
 - Attending official events will be **affordable**.
@@ -100,7 +112,7 @@ precedence after the local area name and GraphQL:
 Each approved Local is entitled to request the following support for each
 event:
 
-- **Sponsorship** up to USD $200 per event (max 1 per quarter) for approved
+- **Sponsorship** up to USD $400 per event (max 1 per quarter) for approved
   costs (see below). More sponsorship might be available directly from
   individual foundation members, see details below.
 - **Swag bundle**\* to distribute to speakers, attendees, or organizers (max 1
