The Open Source Observatory is launching a one-month consultation to further develop and refine its recently published draft Handbook for public administrations. This comprehensive guide, released earlier this year, aims to support European public sector organisations to develop and implement open source software strategies. 

Building on Community Knowledge 

The initial version of the handbook, which draws from 15 years of OSOR's experience and expertise, was developed through an extensive process of research, expert workshops, and webinars conducted throughout 2023. It addresses eight key categories of challenges faced by public administrations, including software release and selection, funding mechanisms, knowledge sharing, and community building. 

Join the Consultation Process 

OSOR is now inviting the broader open source community, public sector representatives, and interested stakeholders to participate in the Handbook's refinement. The consultation period runs from today to 30 November, using Framapad as the collaborative platform for gathering feedback and suggestions. 

How to Participate 

You can contribute to the consultation through Framapad by following these guidelines: 

1. Access the draft Handbook through the dedicated Framapad document here. 
2. Create a Framapad account to ensure your contributions are properly tracked  
3. Use the comment feature to suggest specific text modifications or additions 
4. For more general suggestions, use the dedicated sections at the end of each chapter 
5. Tag your comments with relevant categories: [Addition], [Modification], [Clarification], or [Example Needed] 
6. Provide concrete examples or references when suggesting new content 
7. Consider the public sector perspective when making suggestions 

Concluding Workshop 

The consultation will conclude with an open workshop scheduled for 12 December where participants will discuss the key findings and suggestions gathered during the consultation period. The workshop will provide an opportunity for direct dialogue between contributors and the OSOR team to ensure that the handbook effectively serves its intended audience. 

Get Involved 

Interested parties can register for the final workshop here. The OSOR team will provide technical support for the use of Framapad throughout the consultation period. 

For more information about the consultation process or the Handbook, please contact the OSOR team at EU-OSOR@ec.europa.eu.