How to Make Your First Open-Source Contribution with the Kotlin Ecosystem Mentorship Program

Introduction

The Kotlin Ecosystem Mentorship Program (KEMP) pilot proved that structured guidance can turn first-time contributors into confident open-source participants. Over two months, mentors and mentees collaborated on real Kotlin projects, with four pairs successfully completing the program. One lucky pair won the grand prize—a trip to KotlinConf 2026 in Munich. This guide walks you through the steps to replicate that success, from applying to completing your own contributions.

What You Need

• Kotlin skills – Basic to intermediate proficiency in Kotlin, plus familiarity with Git and GitHub.
• Time commitment – About 2–4 hours per week for the full 8-week program.
• Hardware and internet – A computer with reliable internet access.
• Open mind – No prior open-source experience required; as mentee Clare Kinery noted, the program made open-source “far less intimidating than I ever expected.”
• Mentor qualities (if applying as mentor) – Experience with Kotlin open-source projects and willingness to guide asynchronous collaboration.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Step 1: Apply to the Program

   Watch for announcements on the Kotlin Slack channel or official Kotlin blog. In the pilot, the program received 80 mentee applications and 29 mentor applications—so competition is healthy. Submit a concise application highlighting your interest, relevant skills, and the project you’d like to work on. If you’re a mentor, specify your expertise and availability.

2. Step 2: Get Matched with a Pair

   The organizers select pairs based on project fit and skills. In the pilot, 10 pairs were formed. You’ll receive a mentor (or mentee) and a proposed project from the Kotlin ecosystem, such as Android UI (e.g., BitChat), developer tooling, or multiplatform libraries.

3. Step 3: Kick Off with a Call

   Start with a synchronous kickoff meeting to align expectations. For example, mentor Ruslan and mentee Clare began with a call to discuss the BitChat codebase and set milestones. Use this time to define communication channels (e.g., Slack, GitHub issues) and agree on weekly check-ins.

4. Step 4: Work Asynchronously on the Project

   Most collaboration happens via chat and GitHub pull requests. Focus on small, impactful improvements—Clare submitted two PRs (#680 and #682) that enhanced voice note styling, camera/audio controls, theme support, and press interactions. Follow the project’s contribution guidelines and ask your mentor for feedback early and often.

5. Step 5: Submit Pull Requests and Iterate

   Write clean, well-documented code. Clare’s PRs were merged after addressing review comments. Ruslan noted that she “demonstrated strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and a solid understanding of UI/UX principles.” Be prepared to make revisions based on mentor and community feedback.

   

6. Step 6: Complete the Program

   After eight weeks, you’ll have made at least one meaningful contribution. Four pairs completed the pilot successfully, working on projects like Calf (dependency updates, CI/CD), FlowMVI (bug fixes, migration guides), and Heron (input handling). Completion qualifies you for the prize drawing—in the pilot, one pair won the grand trip to KotlinConf 2026.

7. Step 7: Celebrate and Share

   Even if you don’t win the prize, you gain real open-source experience and a network in the Kotlin community. Share your work on social media, add the contributions to your portfolio, and consider staying involved with the project.

Tips for Success

• Be proactive in communication – The program relies heavily on asynchronous collaboration. Regular updates in Slack or GitHub keep everyone aligned.
• Start with small wins – Focus on issues labeled “good first issue” or improvements that don’t require deep domain knowledge. Clare’s UI/UX enhancements were manageable yet impactful.
• Learn from your mentor’s experience – Ask questions about the codebase, project history, and best practices. Ruslan’s guidance helped Clare adapt quickly.
• Embrace the open-source culture – Open-source collaboration involves reading others’ code, writing clear commit messages, and respecting community norms. It’s a skill in itself.
• Don’t let competition discourage you – The pilot had 80 applicants for only 10 spots. If you don’t get selected, keep contributing to Kotlin projects on your own—the skills you build are valuable.
• Document your journey – Write a blog post or update your LinkedIn about what you learned. This helps others and builds your reputation.