OpenForum Europe

OFE

OpenForum Europe
Established	2002
Founders	Graham Taylor, Basil Cousins, Robert Blatchford
Type	Non-profit Think Tank
Focus	Open source software, European Digital policy
Headquarters	Brussels, Belgium
Chairperson	Sachiko Muto
Executive Director	Astor Nummelin Carlberg
Website	www.openforumeurope.org

OpenForum Europe (OFE) is a European open source software and open standard not-for-profit think tank. Its key objective is to contribute to achieve an open and competitive digital ecosystem in Europe. Based in Brussels, it launched its operations in 2002 and currently conducts research on topics such as Open Source, Open standards, Digital Government, public procurement, ⁣ Intellectual Property, cloud computing and Internet policy.^[1] Founded by Graham Taylor, Basil Cousins and Robert Blatchford,^[2] the current executive director is Astor Nummelin Carlberg.

Activities

OFE is a registered interest group with the European Commission and the European Parliament.^[3] OFE advises European policymakers and legislators on the merits of openness in computing and provides technical analysis and explanation. OFE promotes open source software, as well as openness more generally, as part of a vision to facilitate open, competitive choice for technology users.

OFE works closely with the European Commission, European Parliament, national and local governments both directly and via its national partners. It follows five openness objectives to help direct its work : User centricity, Competition, Flexibility, Sustainability, and Community.^[4]

Economic Impact of Open Source Software

In 2021, OFE, in collaboration with Fraunhofer ISI, conducted a study on the impact of open source software and hardware on technological independence, competitiveness, and innovation in Europe for the European Commission.^[5]

The EU Open Source Policy Summit

Started in 2015, OFE organises the EU Open Source Policy Summit.^[6] Started as just a few people workshop, its 2022 edition gathered 600 participants and 38 speakers.^[7] Topics tackled during the sessions at the Summit included: public sector’s capacity in Open Source, Open Source Software security, Economics of Open Source and supporting the green transition through Open Source solutions.

OpenForum Academy

OpenForum Academy is an independent programme established by OpenForum Europe with the aim to create a link between academias and policymaker. In order to provide new input and insight into the key issues which impact the openness of the IT market, the programme gathers researchers from various countries.^[8]

References

1. administrator. "About OFE". OpenForum Europe. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
2. administrator. "Team". OpenForum Europe. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
3. "European Transparency Register".
4. administrator. "Vision". OpenForum Europe. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
5. "Study about the impact of open source software and hardware on technological independence, competitiveness and innovation in the EU economy | Shaping Europe's digital future". digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu. 2 September 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
6. "The EU Open Source Policy Summit – The only conference bringing Open Source and policy together". Retrieved 13 July 2022.
7. Grzegorzewska, Paula (10 February 2022). "Thank you for joining the EU Open Source Policy Summit 2022!". OpenForum Europe. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
8. administrator. "About OFA". OpenForum Europe. Retrieved 13 July 2022.

External links

• OpenForum Europe