Open source for the public sector and academia.
The purpose of the Czech Open Source Programme Office (Czech OSPO) is to build a national network of open source experts that enables the sustainable use of open source in the public sector and academia, and helps create and activate a community around open source in these sectors.
Based in BrnoSecretariat: Otevřená městaCo-financed by Interreg AT–CZ
- Otevřená města
- Česko.Digital
- Operátor ICT
- JIC
- Wirtschaftsagentur Wien
- FH Wien
- Interreg AT–CZ
- code.gov.cz
Unlocking the full potential of open source takes joint action.
The use of open source software and technologies in the Czech Republic has grown significantly, mainly in the business and IT sector. This thriving ecosystem is fuelled by a community of enthusiasts, professionals and open source companies, alongside global industry leaders such as Red Hat.
Open source initiatives are not limited to the corporate sphere; they have also reached the public sector, as shown by the national portal code.gov.cz and the innovative efforts of organisations such as Otevřená města, Česko.Digital and others. Unlocking the full potential of open source in the Czech public and academic sectors, however, requires joint action. Most important is the establishment of a Czech National Open Source Programme Office that facilitates knowledge exchange between stakeholders and supports cooperation with international partners, drawing on existing expertise and best practices that can be freely shared. This brings a clear benefit to every party.
Knowledge sharing
Exchange of experience between stakeholders at home and abroad.
Digital sovereignty
Open technologies as a key to Europe’s independence.
Public sector
Sustainable use of open source in government and universities.
Continuous exchange and cooperation between Brno and Vienna.
OSPO is an initiative focused on supporting open technologies and strengthening digital sovereignty. We will establish two Open Source hubs, in Brno and Vienna, working together continuously to support knowledge sharing and innovation across the Brno–Vienna region. The planned INTERREG AT-CZ project, running from 1 April 2024, aims to create the first OSPO in the Czech Republic in cooperation with the South Moravian Innovation Centre (JIC), the Vienna Business Agency and the University of Applied Sciences in Vienna.
The project aims to strengthen innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises, the public sector and research institutions. Open technologies are key to greater digital sovereignty across Europe. The vision of the Czech OSPO will further strengthen cooperation between universities, research institutions and businesses, improving competitiveness and the transfer of research outputs not only to the market but also to the Czech public administration.
Open Source Innovation Hubs: Brno and Vienna in one network.
The Open Source Programme Office (OSPO) is a planned initiative in Brno that aims to support the development of open source and digital sovereignty in the region. The project starts on 1 April 2024 and will focus on improving the innovation capacity of small and medium-sized enterprises, the public sector and research institutions. Its key elements are the establishment of two Open Source hubs and a stronger SME ecosystem in the Brno and Vienna regions.
Through continuous exchange and cooperation between the Brno and Vienna regions, the Open Source hubs will support knowledge sharing and strengthen innovation activities and capacities. These centres are becoming key players in supporting digital sovereignty, which is increasingly important for Europe and for the programme area. One of the main goals is to address the power asymmetry in the digital world, where businesses and the public sector often depend on software products and services from large international companies.
Open technologies, a key element of the project, enable greater digital sovereignty, which is why they are supported by European states and member states, for example through the Berlin Declaration of 2020. Open technologies make it possible to create new business models and integrate into existing ones, increasing the competitiveness of European businesses. The project also plans to engage with initiatives such as FIWARE and GAIA-X, important steps towards greater European digital sovereignty. Making full use of them requires more regional multipliers with the right regional connections, and building those connections is part of the future Brno OSPO.
In addition, the OSPO addresses smart specialisation strategies and supports the use of open source in university teaching. Its long-term goal is to spread knowledge about open source and data spaces in the target regions and to support a shared open source hub infrastructure. The Brno OS hub will draw on the region’s expertise in artificial intelligence and focus on the interplay between AI applications and open source technologies.
Six steps to a national open source office.
From the Brno Open Source Declaration to a dedicated office in Brno.
Brno Open Source Declaration
Signing of the Brno Open Source Declaration by key local and global stakeholders from the public and academic sectors who want to work together on establishing the Czech national OSPO in Brno.
European OSPO network
Signing the Manifesto of the EU public services OSPO network created by Paris and the European Commission’s OSPO network, and taking an active part in regular OSPO meetings at European level.
International cooperation
Cooperation between Czech and international open source communities has begun, building working partnerships on concrete projects (e.g. with Paris, Baltimore or the Swedish OSPO), such as the INTERREG AT-CZ project.
code.gov.cz portal
Developing the Czech national Open Source Code Portal, code.gov.cz, as a key part of the future Czech OSPO’s activities, and establishing effective cooperation with the Digital and Information Agency (DIA), founded in 2023.
Monitoring and outreach
Monitoring and promoting Czech open source activities and case studies to the public sector and academic institutions.
An office in Brno
Opening the first virtual and physical office of the Czech national OSPO in Brno, depending on the INTERREG AT-CZ project with Austrian partners. Until then, the “pre-secretariat” of the Czech national OSPO is run by the NGO Otevřená města (Open Cities).
Twenty years of open code in Czechia.
- 200401 / 06LinuxAlt
A Linux distribution with Czech localisation and tools. In 2014 the Brno Linux group and the Openmobility association merged into the newly founded OpenAlt z.s.
- 200402 / 06Red Hat
Red Hat has operated in the Czech Republic since 2004, focusing on both software testing and development.
- 201003 / 06Česko.Digital
An initiative working to digitalise public administration and supporting open source solutions.
- 201604 / 06Otevřená města
The Open Cities association was founded in 2016.
- 201705 / 06OpenContent
An educational and integrating institution for all things “open”.
- 202306 / 06Digital and Information Agency
The central authority for electronic identification, trust services and public administration information systems. It took over full competence from the Ministry of the Interior on 1 April 2023.
Part of the Czech OSPO network
Otevřená města, z. s.
Otevřená města (Open Cities), a partner for the digitalisation of municipalities, runs the “pre-secretariat” of the Czech national OSPO until the Brno office opens.
Česko.Digital
Expert community for digitalising the state
Operátor ICT
Prague’s municipal ICT company
Open Source Innovation Hubs project partners
JIC
South Moravian Innovation Centre
Wirtschaftsagentur Wien
Vienna Business Agency
FH Wien
University of Applied Sciences, Vienna
Interreg AT–CZ
Austria–Czech Republic programme
Join the Czech OSPO network.
Support the Brno Open Source Declaration with your signature, or tell us how you would like to get involved.
Let’s collaborate in the open.
If the vision of a Czech national OSPO speaks to you, write to us using the form or at info@otevrenamesta.cz. We will get back to you with everything you need for a successful open collaboration.
621 00 Brno
We will get back to you at the e-mail you provided as soon as possible.