The Open Source Observatory is pleased to invite you to an upcoming online workshop dedicated to exploring public procurement strategies for open source software.

Public procurement is a powerful tool to foster the adoption of open source solutions — but how can open source solutions be effectively integrated into public procurement frameworks? What approaches are public administrations already using, and what practical steps can support long-term, sustainable adoption?

Join us on 20 October for an engaging session that will delve into these questions through real-world examples and shared experiences from across the European open source ecosystem. 

Participants will have the opportunity to:

• Hear insights from public administrations and organisations in Europe on how they approach the procurement of open source software;

• Engage with peers from public sector bodies, tech agencies, and open source communities to exchange best practices and practical solutions.

The conversation will be led by a panel of practitioners who will share concrete cases, procurement processes and guidelines, and lessons learned:         

• Marc Christopher Schimdt – European Commission (DG GROW) 

Incorporating open source requirements in EU tenders and exploring open source in the Public Procurement Data Space

• Elisa Kettunen / Olli Jylhä / Timo Väliharju – Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities and COSS

Co-authors of the Open Source Procurement Guide for Finnish Municipalities (COSS, 2022) include practical insights from municipalities: lessons from Finland’s open source procurement guide

Event details:

Date: 20 October 2025

Time: 2PM – 4PM (CEST)

Location: Online (a link will be provided upon registration)

Register here for the workshop: [https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/OpenSourceSoftwareProcurement]