Welcome to the OSOR Learning Hub, your go-to resource for understanding and leveraging the power of open source technologies in public administration. This page is designed to help you:
- Explore the benefits of open source software
- Learn practical skills through our self-paced training modules.
Whether you're taking your first steps into the open source world or looking to deepen your knowledge, this Learning Hub provides everything you need learn more about open source solutions and how to integrate open source solutions into your operations confidently and effectively.
eLearning course on open source software for EU Public Administrations
The OSOR and Interoperable Europe Academy teams have developed a new eLearning course on open source software for EU Public Administrations. Consisting of three modules, it is now available on the Interoperable Europe Academy. The training modules are designed to guide public administration professionals through the fundamentals and advanced applications of open source. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced user, these modules offer structured, practical learning paths to help you unlock the benefits of open source in your organisation.
WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?
Public administration professionals interested in open source; academics and students of EU or public policy; open source practitioners and community members; policymakers and stakeholders at all levels (i.e. EU / national / regional / local levels).
Course duration: 30 minutes per module (total course duration: around 1.5 hours).
BY THE END OF THIS COURSE, YOU WILL…
- Understand the fundamentals of open source software in the EU context
- Learn about governance models, including the role of OSPOs and communities
- Gain practical knowledge on licensing, procurement, and funding strategies in open source
- Be better equipped to support the adoption and management of open source software in public sector organisations.
Module 1: Fundamentals of Open Source Software
Explore the basics of open source software and its significance for public administrations. Gain an understanding of what open source is, weigh up its benefits and challenges, and learn about important legal considerations.
Duration: ~30 minutes.
Upon completion, you can obtain a certificate of achievement.
Module 1 is structured around these three chapters:
1. What is open source software?
Introduction to the open source software concept and its core principles.
2. Opportunities and success stories
Highlight of how European public administrations use open source software.
3. Legal considerations
Outline of the EU and national legal frameworks supporting open source adoption.
Module 2: Open Source Governance
Gain insights into how open source ecosystems are managed. Learn about community dynamics, establishing Open Source Programme Offices (OSPOs), and the lifecycle of an open source project.
Duration: ~30 minutes.
Upon completion, you can obtain a certificate of achievement.
Module 2 is structured around these three chapters:
1. The open source project lifecycle
Explanation of how open source projects evolve and how public organisations can contribute throughout the process.
2. Open Source Programme Offices (OSPOs)
Exploration of how OSPOs manage licensing, security, compliance, and collaboration, and how institutions implement them to strengthen digital sovereignty.
3. Open source communities
Discussion on how to build and sustain open source communities within the public sector.
Module 3: Practical Application of Open Source Software in Public Administrations
Dive into real-world applications of open source software in the public sector. Understand how to license, fund, and procure open source effectively to meet your administration's needs.
Duration: ~30 minutes.
Upon completion, you can obtain a certificate of achievement.
Module 3 is structured around these three chapters:
1. Licensing open source software
Introduction to the legal foundations of open source licensing.
2. Procuring open source software
Outline of procurement strategies tailored to open source software.
3. Funding open source software
Provision of practical guidance on developing funding models that ensure the sustainability of open source projects.
In addition to the three core training modules, the complementary courses below offer deeper insights and practical approaches to strengthen your expertise in open source licensing.
Complementary courses offered on the Interoperable Europe Academy
Introduction to Open Software Licensing
Understand software licensing and licence types before looking in detail at open licence types, their benefits, and how they contribute to software and data interoperability.
Duration: ~30 minutes.
Upon completion, you can obtain a certificate of achievement.
The European Union Public Licence (EUPL)
Learn about the background of the European Union Public Licence (EUPL) and the value it can add to interoperable public services. Gain knowledge of the nature and history of the EUPL: why it was created, the additional provisions and features that make it unique, and its scope regarding how software can be distributed.
Duration: ~30 minutes.
Upon completion, you can obtain a certificate of achievement.
Introduction to the EU Open Source Solutions Catalogue
Explore the EU Open Source Solutions Catalogue and gain the knowledge and skills to navigate, utilise, and contribute to the catalogue effectively.
Duration: ~30 minutes.
Upon completion, you can obtain a certificate of achievement.
Introduction to publiccode.yml: Metadata for public sector open source software projects
Explore the publiccode.yml metadata specification and gain knowledge and skills to implement a publiccode.yml file in an open source solution.
Duration: ~30 minutes.
Upon completion, you can obtain a certificate of achievement.
To delve deeper into the practical applications of open source software, be sure to explore the Knowledge Centre and our Open Source Focus Areas, where you'll find additional insights, case studies, and tools tailored for public administrations.
