The following are the incentives provided by IOSN:

• Making available expert knowledge and affordable Free/Open Source Software (FOSS) solutions; the primary incentive is to reduce costs for software and applications in developing countries; assist countries with knowledge, resources and expertise, meet IPR policy goals; develop competencies in ICT, and meet human development challenges with ICT.
• By combining the needs of several countries in software development and introducing shared costs. IOSN will be in a position to source for regional needs and to save costs for their use in more than one country. IOSN will combine collective sources of funding, and partner with the private sector in developing applications with major savings. These savings will encourage new partners to join IOSN and be an active member.
• Creation of a matching service for software development. IOSN will also benefit programmers and countries in sourcing projects. In this regard, IOSN can function as a regional clearinghouse in identifying and matching software needs with developers. Software developers will benefit from projects being sourced by IOSN. This will encourage members to remain active. Software developers will also benefit from the grants/fund set up for FOSS projects.
• Source funding for particular FOSS applications. IOSN will provide guidance on funding. IOSN can fund directly, or seek external sources of funding for projects to benefit developing countries. Sources of funds could be:
  1. Direct funding by member countries; or countries coming together to support particular software applications in tandem
  2. Funding by donor countries, international agencies and foundations
  3. Funding and in-kind donations from corporations
  4. Funding by the UNDP offices in cases where projects fall within the purview of UNDP objectives and initiated by UNDP country offices
  5. Coordinating other applications and needs that are not necessarily FOSS in benefit of members, programmers and researchers.
• Technical Support for FOSS. IOSN can impart its own knowledge or will partner with others in providing technical support activities for Linux software and applications. IOSN will match programmers and corporations/government in allowing a number of hours of technical support coordinated by the Network. Potential partners are Red Hat, Komnas, etc.
• Developing and Coordinating FOSS in the region IOSN will develop a more coherent approach and coordinated FOSS effort in Asia-Pacific taking into account specific needs and resources of the region.