After 28 months of collaborative effort, the DIGITopen project, funded by the Erasmus+ programme, has officially reached its conclusion. Designed to support Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Third Sector Organizations (TSOs) in their journey toward digital autonomy, the project culminated in a series of national final events held across Europe in early 2026.
These events served as a platform for partners to share the project’s flagship results—including the pedagogical toolkit, the open-source MOOC, and the digital Self-Assessment Tool (SAT)—with local stakeholders, educators, and entrepreneurs.
National Highlights and Local Impact
Throughout February 2026, the DIGITopen consortium organized dedicated dissemination activities tailored to the specific needs of their local ecosystems.
France: Connecting Open Source with the Social Economy
On 29 January 2026, the French coordinator (CCIFM) hosted an event titled “Afterwork Open source et IA pour les PME et l’ESS” in Marseille. Organized in partnership with the digital transformation cluster Medinsoft, the session focused on how open-source outcomes can specifically benefit the local Social and Solidarity Economy (ESS) community. The event was attended by 31 participants.
Italy: Sharing Ideas in Messina
The Italian event, “Idee Aperte: come la condivisione sta cambiando il mondo” (Open Ideas: how sharing is changing the world), was organized by BASE3 and Fablab Messina at the historic Monte di Pietà on 14 of February 2026. To ensure the results reached adult learning professionals, the event was featured on the European EPALE platform, a key channel for project dissemination. The event was attended by 47 participants.
Spain: Empowering the VET Sector
On February 19, 2026, the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Barcelona (CCIB) held its national event specifically for Vocational Education and Training (VET) students and teachers. Thirty participants gathered in Barcelona to explore the project’s technical results and their application in vocational curricula. The event was attended by 30 participants.
Greece: A Large-Scale Exchange for Entrepreneurs
The University of Patras organized its Greek dissemination event on 7 of February 2026, attracting over 65 participants. The audience, including social entrepreneurs, students, and researchers, engaged in deep discussions regarding the role of open-source software in the digital transformation of small enterprises and TSOs.
Estonia: Practical Demonstrations in Pärnu
On February 25, 2026, FOAAL Consulting UÜ hosted an on-site event at Aida 7 in Pärnu. The session was attended by 31 participants, including public authorities and NGOs. The highlight of the event was a series of live demonstrations featuring the project’s pedagogical toolkit, the MOOC course, and the Self-Assessment Tool (SAT).
Poland: Strengthening Trainer Networks
Hosted by Danmar Computers on February 4, 2026, in Rzeszów, the Polish national event gathered 32 stakeholders from MSMEs and public authorities. The event was instrumental in strengthening project connections with local C-VET trainers who are interested in adopting open-source methodologies for professional development.
A Lasting Legacy for Europe
While the formal project period has ended, the DIGITopen resources are designed for long-term sustainability. All project deliverables—including the Guidelines for Sustainability and Transferability—are published under Creative Commons licenses, allowing any organization to use, adapt, and reuse the materials.
By shifting the focus from product-based knowledge to concept-based knowledge, DIGITopen has equipped hundreds of European practitioners with the skills to lower software costs, enhance cybersecurity, and improve organizational efficiency. The project website and MOOC platform will remain accessible for five years, serving as a permanent hub for the growing European network of open-source advocates in the VET sector.
