The Cyprus Open Digital Futures Week aims to empower citizens to shape digital policy, as announced by the Cyprus Free/Libre and Open Source Software Association (Ellak). This initiative is part of Cyprus’s ongoing work related to its Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
- As the events unfold, participants will have the opportunity to contribute to shaping the digital landscape of Cyprus, making their voices heard in a space where civic engagement meets policy-making.
Open digital: Engaging the Local Community
Ellak emphasises that the week is designed to ensure that discussions around digital policy are co-created by citizens and the local ecosystem, rather than being a top-down approach. The initiative, also known as Open Digital Futures Week (ODFW), seeks to create a community-led space for exploring critical questions about the future of technology.
Connecting Citizens with Digital Governance
The programme will delve into how public digital infrastructure can serve democracy, education, and culture, while also addressing issues like the right to repair and the common good. Ellak believes that Cyprus has the opportunity to link EU-level debates with the realities of local digital life, impacting areas such as education, culture, and civic participation.
Bridging Gaps in Digital Policy
Ellak points out a significant gap between high-level digital policies and their implementation in public life. Issues such as transparent procurement and the protection of children’s rights in school platforms are part of this discussion. The association advocates for a broader use of Free/Libre and Open Source Software as a means to enhance democratic resilience.
Voices from the Community
“Technology can begin to sound like something developed for states and markets, rather than something that is already organising childhood, education, culture, and everyday life,” stated Chrystalleni Loizidou, an event organiser and representative of Ellak Cyprus. She emphasised the importance of including diverse voices in these conversations, stating, “These discussions are too important to leave entirely to politicians and big tech vendors.”
A Week of Diverse Events
The Open Digital Futures Week is set to take place from June 13 to June 18, 2026, featuring a variety of events across Cyprus. The programme kicks off with a community BBQ at the Pykni picnic site in Peyia, Paphos, where attendees can enjoy traditional souvla and food prepared in a solar oven by Fornelia, a local initiative promoting ecological technology.
Exploring Creative Autonomy
The following day, June 14, will see an informal gathering in Limassol called Libre Arts @ NeMe. This event is dedicated to libre arts and creative autonomy, providing a platform for participants to share sounds, visuals, code, and performances in an atmosphere of shared experimentation, free from the constraints of platform capitalism.
Participant-Led Discussions
On June 15, the 101.CY Unconference at the CYENS Centre of Excellence in Nicosia will allow participants to set the agenda and discuss pressing local issues related to digital sovereignty, public digital procurement, and cybersecurity misconceptions. This format encourages open dialogue and practical solutions, giving voice to local challenges.
Connecting to European Policy
The week will also feature a critical event on June 16, titled Capital Series Cyprus: Open Source and the European Union, hosted at The Cyprus Institute in Nicosia. This forum will connect local discussions with broader European policy, featuring keynotes from Thibaut Kleiner, Director of Future Networks at the European Commission, and other prominent figures in the open source community.
Building Towards a Collaborative Future
Ellak aims for the week to culminate in significant civic participation at the Shaping the Next Digital Frontier conference on June 17 and 18, 2026. This event, organised by the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, seeks to ensure that grassroots perspectives are integrated into high-level policy discussions focused on Digital Sovereignty and Open Digital Ecosystems.
Inclusive Policy Development
Ellak is advocating that digital policy should not be confined to experts and politicians. The association argues that technology profoundly impacts various aspects of life, including education, culture, and democratic participation. By bringing together local civic, artistic, technical, and institutional capacities, they hope to foster a more inclusive approach to policy development.
An Invitation to Participate
This week-long initiative serves as an invitation to a wide range of stakeholders, including developers, educators, researchers, public servants, and digital rights advocates, to engage in crucial dialogues about digital policy. By fostering collaboration, Ellak aims to ensure that the technological future reflects public values and serves the common good.
As the events unfold, participants will have the opportunity to contribute to shaping the digital landscape of Cyprus, making their voices heard in a space where civic engagement meets policy-making.
