 Thank you very much. Good afternoon to all sincere apologies for this technical problem. I will try to resolve it. So I will try to give my presentation over phone. I already sent my presentation so it can be shared with you. So hope that you will follow and apologies again for that. So good afternoon to all. My name is Abigail Savalopoulos and it's really a real privilege to be here with you in the next 15 to 20 minutes. I'm going to give you an overview of the upcoming open source plans and relevant actions of the European Commission. Well, at the end of the presentation we have allocated sufficient time for questions and answers. So myself and the team that is my team that is also online will be more than happy to answer them. Now, regarding the agenda, which is slide two, this talk will just have only two parts. So first I will introduce to you the European Commission open source strategy, the new open source strategy. And then I will present some related open source initiatives. Now, next slide. Some of you may have already seen that the new open source strategy, it has been already published since. If you have not seen it yet, please, you can see the URL that is on the slide. Please feel free to have a look. Now we are very happy to see that this new strategy has been really has been welcomed by many European open source companies and communities. Together, we have already seen statements from Germany's OSBA, France, C&L, and Appel, the new European Trade Association. Actually, we are very glad to see Appel and honestly, we really hope to hear a lot from them in the future. Well, all together, these associations represent more than 400 open source ICT companies and most of them are SMEs. We are really happy with this attention that we received because we really want to work with them. We really want to get involved with our work. Now, we also know that open source is a sort of synonym, I mean, for sharing of technological know-how. So therefore, we want to make sure that open source is available to all businesses, all SMEs, all local innovators. Well, of course, I have to say that besides positive comments, we also received some remarks from open source advocacy groups like Appel and FSFP. We also welcome these remarks. And last but not least, we also received a comment from Openform Europe and we rather agree with the comment that our approach to open source is maturing. However, all the comments that we have received so far have one important thing in common. They all acknowledge the high importance of the creation for open source program office about which I'm going to talk a bit later. Now, going to the next slide, before I start presenting you the main aspects of the main actions of the open source strategy, I would like to briefly, briefly talk about some red tape, because I'm not sure that everybody has understood that this new open source strategy is not just another strategy. Because as you can see from the slide, this is the fifth edition of our open source strategy. What is the difference is that the previous editions were just internal working documents at digit. The director general for informatics of the European Commission. This is also where I work. Now, moving to the next slide, someone may ask, okay, why this new strategy is different? Well, first of all, it's not any more just an internal working document. It is a communication to the Commission. And for us, for us inside the organization, this makes really a huge difference because it is a mandate from the College of Commissioner to us. And honestly, this strategy now goes beyond digit. It goes beyond our community. I mean, it's this open source will impact the entire commission. And among others, this new strategy encourages staff to think open and co-create. So that's very important to understand what is the difference between this new policy strategy compared to the previous ones. Now, if you see the next slide, here you may see the list of 10 actions that will be implemented under the new open source strategy. We believe that all these actions will have a big impact inside the organization. However, I have to be frank with you. So don't expect big changes to happen immediately. But I can assure you that changes will definitely come. So for reasons of timing, from the 10 actions, we'll just elaborate only the actions that are involved together with the first one. So moving to the next slide, let's talk about first things first. So today, we are very pleased to make it official that the Commission now has an open source program office that we call it OSPO. Now, the OSPO will become the go-between for all the open source related activities at the European Commission. And we will consider the OSPO as the heartbeat of all the plant actions under the open source strategy. So moving to the next slide, as you understand, if you remember the 10 actions with OSPO, the first action of our action plan is practically implemented. So next step is we are going to, we have to change our internal software development practices. So what we want to do from now on for new software projects, we want to try to make the source code accessible across all teams in the Commission. So the goal, the idea is to truly establish a working culture based on the principle of open source. Let me give you an example of what do I mean by that. One, if you see in this slide, one of our project, open source project, is called LEOS, which stands for legislation editing open software. This is the internal editor that is used for all legislative texts, excuse me. So LEOS is open source and we have just started rolling it out across the Commission. LEOS is already being used by the directorate general that is responsible for EU policies on taxation and customs. For those that may be aware, this is the so-called digital taxude. But besides the Commission, LEOS has also been selected by the national governments of Spain and Germany. Spain is already working with our developers on new features and Germany is adding more developers on the project. And besides Spain and Germany, other EU member states such as Germany, Italy, Netherlands, have also expressed their interest to adopt this tool. So as you can understand, this is a very vivid example of a software development community from various member states in collaboration with the European Commission. And this also shows how open source is about co-creation. And not only about co-creation, it's also building public services that connect seamlessly across organization silos and borders. And honestly, what we are doing with LEOS, we want to do the same with all our internal software development practices. So we want to transform all our IT projects into internal communities. Now next, another big step, going to the next slide, which is entitled Make Things Open. Another big step, as the title says, is to make things open. Meaning we want to make it easier to sell our software with other member states, companies and EU citizens. And not only that, we also want to allow our developers to contribute to relevant open source projects. However, the problem here is that in order to do so, in order to achieve this milestone, we need to remove some existing legal barriers. Well, you know very well, Commission is bureaucratic, so cutting red tape is not easy. However, we have already started working on that and we expect that we have the new rules in place sometime early next year. And this will enable a first step of existing projects to become open source. Actually, we have already started with sharing our PSP pre-configuration tools and we hope very, very soon to give us open source, the user interface that we use, the code and libraries and our corporate search engine. So many, so expect many things to come in the coming period in this context. Now, these two actions that I have just presented to you will help change our internal culture. The next two actions that I'm going to present to you are focusing on evolving the open source community. So moving to the slide that is entitled innovation labs, what we are planning to do is we will be hosting open source labs in order to evaluate an experiment with open source, innovative open source solutions. Actually, we have already reached out to our colleagues and we asked them already for suggestions that could bring benefit either to the Commission or to European citizens. So, together with the open source community, together with the European SMEs, we want to test these solutions and we want to see if we're going to add them in our toolbox, either internally or for working with colleagues in member states. So that's why, as I said before, we hope that Appel and others will reach out to us because definitely we will be reaching out to them in the coming period. That's a very important action for us. Now, moving to the next slide, which entitled communities, this action is how we are going to increase our outreach to open source communities. So this opens communities like the ones that we have worked with during the last two years. Because, you know, the European Commission wants really to become a strong force in the community of European public services that are actively involved in the open source. You might know because that we have some experience in this area because last year, at the same conference, we have presented EUFOSA two activities and actually this new strategy builds on this kind of experience. So moving to the next slide, which about EUFOSA, thanks for example, thanks to EUFOSA too, we have identified the most critical open source software. And not only that, we have also strengthened its security using bug bounties and hackathons. You know, we have to mention, it has to be mentioned that we have paid 200,000 euros in bug bounties. And we also organized three hackathons last year in Brussels that brought together many, many open source projects. And last but not least, we organized a very big conference that brought together EUFOS leaders, which gave us a very, very good insight into the needs of European open source SMEs. So we really look forward to continuing that discussion. Now, other relevant activities in the open source and moving to the next slide concerns data center and ISA square and relevant things. And let me start with the data center, our data center, the commission data center. Actually, we have started with open source already two decades ago. Nowadays, the LAMP stack is really the dominant force in our data center. And not only that, open source is used for the majority of the commission websites and many online services. And you know that the default software development environment is based on open source tools. And upon request, any developer can receive an Ubuntu Linux laptop. And there are also many examples of open source tools that we share. For example, Eurostat shares many of its statistics utilities. JRC, the joint research center also makes available many of its scientific tools. The commission also contributes by applying core contributors to Drupal, which is the corporate website contact management system, as well to Hive Project, which is a software which makes it easier to respond to security, computer security incidents. So another example is the ISA square. As you know, open source is about co-creation. So the focus for us at the commission is also about building public services that connect seamlessly across organization silos and borders. We are trying to do this also internally. We want to break down these silos and borders. So the ISA program, as you may know, supports the development of these solutions that enable public administration, businesses and citizens in Europe to benefit from interoperably cross-border and cross-sector public services. Very, very important program. So what is also very important here is that all of the software that is built in that program under that program is made available as open source. So ISA has done an amazing work to advance open source. And the same is true for the connecting Europe facility, the CEF, EU funding instrument, that promotes growth, jobs and competitiveness at European level. So, and I would say that this quick overview would not be complete without mentioning the work done by our colleagues in DT Connect, the Director General for Communication Network, content and technology. You know, among other, currently DT Connect, they are doing a very important and very comprehensive study on the importance of open source software and hardware for Europe. This study was presented to you yesterday. I hope that some of you had the opportunity to attend this. Now, going to the next slide, I have to say that being an EU official but also an EU citizen, I am an advocate of openness. I believe that openness, we believe that openness allows humanity to progress. The commission says to lead by example and we really hope to see all our software development teams adopt these working methods based on the principles of open source. Because open source allows for incremental innovation in a collaborative way, but also in an efficient way. And that includes you as well, all of you. So, we are lately we're discussing about digital sovereignty. So honestly, to be digital sovereign, the EU will among others develop and deploy strategic digital capacities and infrastructure. So in the coming years, we will see the development of the next generation of digital technologies, including supercomputers, quantum computing, blockchain and human centered artificial intelligence. Open source will be the fundamental enabler and driver of innovation in those areas. So that is why we believe that this new open source strategy of the European Commission is of higher of the highest importance. So thank you very much for your attention. We are at your disposal for any questions. Hello. So we have a question in the chat which I know you, you cannot see evangelos so I will read it for you. It's from Alexander and says hello I have two questions. We are pleased that the commission recognizes the benefits of free software and the four freedoms to use study share and improve. The commission lacks concrete targets and indicators to implement the strategy. Will you present and implement concrete measures and activities in the coming weeks and months. If so, which I think that these, these, I'm sorry, unless I unless I misunderstood the question. These 10 actions that I presented to you are the, are the, you know, that the, the 10 that I presented are exactly what we're going to do. These are the really concrete actions and I invite you again to have a look at these 10 actions. This is what we're going to implement in the coming period. I mentioned before already already and concretely responding to the question. The first thing the first action that has been implemented is the establishment of the open source program office of the European Commission. Important milestone. So this action is done and already we are working on establishing the innovation labs concrete action ongoing. So, I invite that you have a look again at the table that I put in the presentation. This table is also part of the communication which is available online. I hope that I asked the, I replied to the question. Okay. Thank you. And there was a second part to Alexander's question, which was also the strategy says the principles of this strategy will help us choose strategically between closely competing software solutions. And I think that our options open. They will allow the commission to choose non open technologies where there are good reason to do so, while encouraging us to plan for future open source alternatives. What are good reasons and where are they defined and laid down. Is there a public review. It's exactly, I believe that this is again part of what we discussed again, what we discussed during the presentation. We have a very concrete plan with very concrete actions allow me, allow me to for those that I know that is difficult, allow me to read again the 10 actions. Very important actions. First action set up open source program office. Second action set and promote in a source as default. Third enhanced software repository for revised software distribution practices. Enable and generate innovation with open source labs. Six, develop skills and good expertise. Seven, increase outreach to communities. Eight, integrate open source in internal IT governance. Nine, ensure security. Security is fundamental for us issue the cornerstone, whatever we do. Attention is always on security cornerstone of our strategy and of our actions. And last but not least, encourage and promote in the source. I believe that my presentation presentation together with with these 10 actions. I think that they give a very solid from framework. Within which we are going to operate. So thank you very much for answering both of those questions and that is the extent of the questions that are in the Q&A chat online. If anyone else has any, any other questions, please let us know. And I don't see, sorry, Jill, I don't see any further questions coming in. I just got one via email. And that is evangelos what advantages do you see in this broader strategy in the short term. If I, if I had correctly what advantages I see about this open source strategy in the short term. Yep. Okay. First of all, first of all, and I would like that, you know, to mention again is that this strategy compared to the previous ones is not just an internal document. It is, it is communication to the commission. It's a mandate to move. Think and lack open source. And this will affect the whole commission. So the first important thing that already happened and I will be the game because it's very, very important for us. It's the establishment of the open source program office. Second thing that is ongoing. And you will see actually second day of this you will see very, very soon is that you will see a series of software our software become open source. And this will happen. As I mentioned, we are working on the user, the user interface modules and libraries as well on our corporate search engine. So this is that this will come very, very soon. And of course, these will grow. You will see in the coming period, but this is for the short term. And if we say short term for me, at least in the way the way that we see it internally short term for us is let's say, and let's say meet the next year. Okay, end of June next year. Let's say if this is considered so for for you. So this will happen. So you'll see more software to be open source. In addition, what is very important will happen very, very, very soon until next year. As I mentioned my presentation, we are going to change the illegal barrier that exists now so that will allow us to make the and will include not just allow, but also encourage our software to become open source. That's also short term. In addition, we want to establish the open source labs. As I said, we have already sent we have already reached out our colleagues and we are in the process of collecting their ideas. And the first quarter of 2021, we are going to establish the open source labs. So another important milestone within short term. As I said, the labs is a huge step for us. So just to recap, weekly, what will happen in the short term is open source more, more software will become open source. We change the legal barriers to allow the sharing of our software and also our developers to participate in open source projects. And last but not least, the open source labs. Wonderful. Thank you for that. And we just got another question that says, It sounds like you all are doing great important work. Is there a way for developers and or community organizations to get involved. If I'm so correctly, I'm sorry for that. And it's a great question. So, the question is how communities and companies can can get involved with us. This is the question. Well, this is what we are going to do. And actually, we also want to find and we hope to find ways to work closures with SMEs and individual developers. And the first step for that is the labs is the labs. But that's one step, one one way to do that. So as as mentioned in the presentation, we are going to reach them. We are going to reach through our network, through our contracts. We are going to reach the SMEs and individual developers. And as I said, first lab, the status of the labs will be one way, one step. But we also another way of doing that is by opening our by making our application open source. So by making the open source, we will foster collaboration and communication with the communities and with the developer. So, and not only that, you know, people that say, oh, we don't know what we are doing in the commission. Well, by that, by opening our software by making the open source, anybody will be able to have a look and inside look into our kitchen and not only have a look, people will be able and communities will be able to get involved. With us and we with it. So, these are the two first steps, but be aware that we just started, we just started and as I put in the slides, don't hesitate to contact us. We are there, don't hesitate to contact us. David, like I said, we will contact everybody. Awesome. Thank you so much for answering that. And I think Jennifer got some more questions in as well, Jennifer, if you want to take those away. Thank you, Jill. So we have a question. Do you have clear measures for developing open source outside of the European Commission ecosystem. And how will you promote open source based products developed by European SMEs. I missed the first sentence. Sorry, do you have clear measures for developing open source outside of the European Commission ecosystem. No, it's a very good question. Very good question. I don't, the open source strategy is not about that. It is a question nevertheless, but audio, the open source strategy of the European Commission is internal is for the European Commission. It is not to put standards for, you know, in the context that you just that the question just described. But as in continuation to the previous, you know, question. With the idea of having fostering the collaboration between the commission, you know, and the in the open source communities and the individual developers will generate a discussion towards the direction. If when SMEs and the individual developers, for example, will come to our labs, to our open source labs to test application together with us, this will be, will create a discussion in that direction as well. So we as European Commission can only participate together with the communities and companies in the discussion, but we cannot leave the discussion. Okay, thank you very much. And I'm just checking to see if we have any other questions that have come in. Jill, have you received any other questions? No, nothing else has come into me. Okay. Then I believe we are all set. So we are all set with questions. So evangelos, as we close out, is there any final words you'd like to leave with. First of all, I again apologize for this technical problem. Sorry for that. I want, first of all, to thank all of you that attended this event. What I want to pass the last message is, please get in touch. You hear the contact details and we really, really, really hope to work with all of you. So get in touch. Wonderful. Thank you. And yes, I've had your let's keep in touch slide up. So, again, we'll be sharing the slide deck and everyone can see that information if you would like to connect with them via Twitter or email or their website that is all available there. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you for joining. Thank you all for joining us. And I just want to do one final fact that Jennifer that we're all set and have no more questions. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much for your questions. Thank you. Okay. All right. Thank you all. Thank you, evangelos. Everyone have a great day.