Since May 2012, we have made 166 contributions supporting the development of open‑source projects, as well as 170 donations to non‑profit organizations, including foundations, associations, hospices, and animal shelters. What makes these donations unique is that the beneficiaries are not chosen by an algorithm or the management board, but by members of our own team.
We open 2026 with the choices of Tadeusz Sośnierz, a software developer working on projects for Impel Business Solutions and other clients of our second brand, Centuran. The projects he selected—KDE and the Open Bicycle Workshop—may seem unrelated at first glance. What connects them is a shared philosophy: initiatives for people who dislike “black boxes” and prefer to understand, modify, and adapt their tools to their own needs—whether those tools are lines of code or a bicycle.
KDE
The open‑source ecosystem is driven by developer communities. Organized as non‑profit initiatives, they create software that is freely available to everyone. KDE is an international community behind one of the most widely recognized Linux desktop environments—Plasma—as well as more than 200 applications that serve as alternatives to commercial software.
Tools created by the KDE community are used by prestigious institutions such as NASA and CERN. From Mercedes electric vehicles, through the Steam Deck handheld console, to Chrome and Safari browsers and government agencies from Brazil to Ukraine, KDE software is trusted worldwide.
KDE recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, inviting its community to share experiences during a global event bridging the online and offline worlds. Over a quarter of a century, more than 7,000 developers have contributed to the organization. Projects powered by KDE tools include, among others, James Cameron’s Avatar film series and Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit trilogy.
“As a young Linux enthusiast, I was fascinated by minimalist desktop environments that I largely built myself from components I had written on my own. Over time, however, I came to appreciate a system and environment that allows me to work with my computer instead of constantly working on the computer itself. KDE is at the forefront here—its Plasma desktop is unmatched on Linux. It’s flexible enough that I was able to transfer my workflow from window managers like i3 almost unchanged, while also being so polished and user‑friendly that it allowed friends who were ‘escaping’ Windows 11 to switch to Linux smoothly, with virtually no learning curve,” explains Tadeusz.
Open Bicycle Workshop
Founded in 2018, the Open Bicycle Workshop (Otwarty Warsztat Rowerowy) is a well‑known and highly valued place among Warsaw’s cycling community. Anyone can use the publicly available tools free of charge, or opt for paid servicing provided by experienced mechanics.
The true strength of this place lies in its philosophy. Replacing parts with new ones is a last resort here. The 3R principle—Ride, Repair, Recycle!—means that almost every cog, hub, or spoke is given a second life. The organization running the workshop, Mierz Wysoko (“Aim High”) Association, collects bicycles and parts in various technical conditions. Some are repaired and refurbished, while others are dismantled for components that can be reused in servicing or building new bikes. Repaired bicycles are donated to people in need or sold with a warranty, and the funds raised support the workshop’s statutory goals and ongoing activities.
“Last season, I visited the Open Bicycle Workshop many times—repairing and modifying my own bike, as well as helping others with theirs. I’m already looking forward to spring, not only for cycling weather, but also for the reopening of the Workshop,” says Tadeusz enthusiastically.
Cycling enthusiasts can support the Open Bicycle Workshop through one‑off or recurring donations. Those based in Warsaw can also follow Tadeusz’s example and get involved personally as a volunteer.