*** Article originally published in the OASC February 2024 newsletter ***

In a time of rapid digital transformation, the importance of interoperability within and across our cities and communities cannot be overstated. This month, we delve into the newly adopted EU’s Interoperable Europe Act (IEA) – an important regulation that aligns with the core mission of our network to support cities and municipalities worldwide in their digital journey.

The Interoperable Europe Act aims to enhance interoperability across digital public services within the EU. Interoperability is the ability of different systems, devices, applications or products to connect and communicate in a coordinated way, without extra effort from the user.

The Act represents an opportunity for the advancement of open source software and its community to contribute to an interoperable Europe. This legislation wants to avoid vendor lock-in, reduce costs and foster an innovation ecosystem in public investments in digital systems, echoing the principles shared with the OASC Minimal Interoperability Mechanisms (MIMs).

Cities and communities are at the heart of digital interaction with citizens. The IEA's focus on interoperability promises to streamline information exchange and service delivery while enhancing operational efficiency and citizen engagement.

Andrea Halmos from DG DIGIT emphasises that "Cities and communities are crucial for the IEA's success. Their active engagement in the Interoperable Europe universe will pave the way for a digitally cohesive Europe."

If you are interested in learning more about the OASC Minimal Interoperable Mechanisms (MIMs), join our MIMs working groups by contacting sophie@oascities.org.

Additionally, you can join the interoperability conversation at our OASC Summit on June 3-4 in Rotterdam (NL).

Stay tuned through our LinkedIn and OASC website.

Best wishes,

Karl-Filip Coenegrachts

OASC Chair of the Board of Directors