Digital freedom for all: First Hands-on Workshop in Brussels

Digital freedom isn't just for techies. It's for everyone.
Join us for a hands-on workshop where you will learn how to adopt Europe-made and/or open-source day-to-day applications to gain independence from big tech providers.
Concretely:
Understand which Europe-made or open-source applications exist in the market for email, calendar, chat, browser, search engine, operating system, etc.
Step-by-step instructions on how to install and configure. You choose which apps you feel comfortable testing!
Agenda
Welcome & Introduction (10min)
Short documentary on Digital Sovereignty (10min)
Hands-on workshop (90min)
Together, we can move away from surveillance platforms toward open-source and privacy-friendly alternatives.
Europe's digital future depends on choices we make today and it starts with the tools on your phone and computer.
Inspired by Ghent’s Digital Sovereignty movement
Inspired by FOSS workshops that have been thriving in Ghent, this event brings hands-on guidance to help you make the switch, step by step, at your own pace.
What to bring
Preferably: Laptop.
Optional: Phone or tablet & USB Stick (8GB)
We will work with all types of applications (email, calendar, chat, browser, search engine, operating system, etc.) but you choose the ones you would like to adopt!
About the organizers
This initiative is entirely self-funded, rooted in the belief that understanding our digital world should be open to everyone.
Carolina Aguilar
Carolina is an engineer by training who has spent a career at the intersection of data and artificial intelligence. Deeply committed to European Digital Sovereignty, she hosts this independent workshop to empower others with the knowledge needed to navigate and shape Europe's digital future.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolina-aguilar/
Tom Michels
Tom is a co-founder and community builder at Flordi (Ghent), a meeting place for changemakers who want to build a more just and ecological society. With a cafe, coworking, cohousing, market and events, the aim is to inspire, connect and co-create with people, businesses and organizations. Tom is convinced that when working together like we do with Free Open Source Software (FOSS), we can change the world!
Since January 2025 Tom co-hosted around 20 FOSS-workshops together with the FOSS community in Ghent. This time, he's coming to Brussels to share with us the learnings from those events.
https://social.flordi.be/@tom
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-michels/