Red Hat in India have put in place an award program called “The World is Open“. The award and the award process are driven by Skoch Consultancy Services Pvt Ltd. – an independent think tank and a strategy and management consultancy firm. All projects based on Open Source technologies as well as projects incorporating Open Source components are eligible for nomination. These projects may be implemented by the state governments, central government, private companies,institutions or civil society. The projects should be in the areas of governance,financial sector, telecom and education.

An awards committee comprising of senior professionals from academia, government, industry and other stakeholders in the ICT-supported development of the country. Initial screening of the project nominations would be carried out on the basis of information sought in the prescribed format. Additional information, if required, would be sought and may be supplemented with Skoch’s own research or the knowledge base of the awards committee. The awards committee will deliberate and finalize the awardees. The awards committee may also nominate projects that it feels should be in the consideration set.

The awards are proposed to be conferred in a special ceremony on the 18th March 2008 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.