On 12 December 2024, the OSOR team successfully hosted the workshop “Leveraging Open Source: Creating a Handbook for Public Sector OSS Implementers.” The workshop aimed to refine two key resources: the OSOR Handbook, which provides practical guidance for open source software (OSS) adoption, and the design of new training courses tailored for OSS implementers in public administrations. The session was divided into two parts, each focusing on gathering valuable community input. 

Part 1: Refining the OSOR Handbook

Ahead of the workshop, participants were invited to review the draft of the OSOR Handbook and share preliminary comments. These insights served as the foundation for in-depth discussions during the session. Participants explored various chapters and topics, sharing their experiences and proposing enhancements to ensure the handbook better aligns with the needs of the community. The collaborative dialogue facilitated a clear understanding of how the handbook can evolve to provide even more practical and targeted support to OSS implementers.

Part 2: Gathering Insights for OSS Training Courses

The second part of the workshop focused on identifying training needs and expectations for OSS implementers in public administrations. Participants’ input was decisive in shaping preliminary plans for a three-module training programme. The session gathered information through three stages:

• Participants’ familiarity with EU Academy training materials,

• Their expectations for the proposed training modules, and

• Feedback on the preliminary outline.

This feedback will ensure that the training content is relevant, impactful, and tailored to the challenges faced by public sector users across the EU.

Next Steps

The OSOR Handbook will now be reviewed and improved based on the community’s feedback. The team will aim to release the new version by end of the first quarter of 2025. 

For the training courses, the OSOR team will now proceed to develop the online modules. A follow-up consultation with experts will be organised to validate the content before the final release. The courses will be made available on the EU Academy platform during the second semester of 2025, ensuring accessibility to all public sector professionals.

We extend our thanks to all participants who contributed their insights for their active participation and look forward to continued collaboration as we work together to support the public sector in leveraging open-source software effectively.