# Trustroots

> Travellers hospitality community

**Wikidata**: [Q113367315](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q113367315)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trustroots)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/trustroots

## Summary
Trustroots is a travellers hospitality community that connects people for cultural exchange and accommodation sharing. Founded in 2014, it operates as a nonprofit organization and website dedicated to fostering trust and connections between travelers and hosts worldwide.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 2014 as a hospitality service and nonprofit organization
- Uses OpenStreetMap for mapping functionality
- Licensed under MIT License until December 9, 2021, then switched to Affero General Public License
- Website: https://www.trustroots.org
- Source code available on GitHub at https://github.com/Trustroots/trustroots
- Named after the concept of trust
- Instance of: hospitality service, website, nonprofit organization
- Wikipedia title: Trustroots with English language version

## FAQs
### Q: What is Trustroots?
A: Trustroots is a nonprofit hospitality community that connects travelers with hosts for cultural exchange and accommodation sharing. It operates as a website and organization founded in 2014 to promote trust and connections between people worldwide.

### Q: Is Trustroots free to use?
A: Yes, Trustroots is a free hospitality community where members can connect with hosts and travelers without payment for accommodation exchanges. The platform operates as a nonprofit organization.

### Q: How does Trustroots differ from other hospitality networks?
A: Trustroots focuses specifically on building trust-based connections between travelers and hosts, emphasizing cultural exchange and community values. It operates as an open-source platform with transparent licensing and development.

## Why It Matters
Trustroots addresses the fundamental human need for connection and cultural understanding by creating a platform where travelers can experience authentic local hospitality. In an increasingly isolated world, it provides a space for meaningful human interactions that transcend typical tourist experiences. The platform's nonprofit model and open-source approach ensure that the focus remains on community building rather than profit, making travel more accessible and fostering global understanding. By emphasizing trust and cultural exchange, Trustroots contributes to breaking down barriers between people from different backgrounds and creating a more connected global community.

## Notable For
- Open-source hospitality platform with transparent development on GitHub
- Nonprofit model focused on community building rather than profit
- Use of OpenStreetMap for mapping functionality
- Transition from MIT License to Affero General Public License in 2021
- Emphasis on trust-based cultural exchange between travelers and hosts

## Body
### Platform Overview
Trustroots operates as a comprehensive hospitality platform combining website functionality with community features. The platform enables users to create profiles, connect with potential hosts or travelers, and arrange cultural exchanges. As a nonprofit organization, Trustroots prioritizes community values over commercial interests.

### Technical Infrastructure
The platform utilizes OpenStreetMap for its mapping capabilities, providing users with location-based search and navigation features. The source code is publicly available on GitHub at https://github.com/Trustroots/trustroots, allowing for community contribution and transparency in development.

### Licensing Evolution
Trustroots underwent a significant licensing change on December 9, 2021, transitioning from the MIT License to the Affero General Public License. This change reflects the platform's commitment to open-source principles and community ownership of the software.

### Community Focus
As a hospitality service, Trustroots emphasizes trust-building between users. The platform's name directly reflects this core value, with "trust" being the foundational concept upon which the community is built. This focus on trust distinguishes Trustroots from purely transactional accommodation platforms.

### Global Reach
While specific user numbers aren't provided, Trustroots operates as a global platform connecting travelers and hosts across different countries and cultures. The platform's website serves as the primary interface for these connections, with the English Wikipedia page providing documentation of its mission and operations.

## References

1. [Source](https://github.com/Trustroots/trustroots/pull/2481)
2. [Source](https://github.com/Trustroots/trustroots/blob/master/LICENSE.md)