For a sovereign digital Europe: OpenProject at HackDays Paris

How can open source tools from across Europe work better together? That’s the question OpenProject will explore at HackDays Paris, a hackathon organized by the French government’s DINUM, from June 2–4, 2025. We are thrilled to be a part of HackDays and aim to introduce task management features into the French-built Docs. Specifically, the OpenProject team plans to develop a first prototype exploring an integration with Docs.

Let’s take a look behind the scenes and explore how a shared vision for open source collaboration and Europe’s digital autonomy is becoming reality.

About HackDays Paris

HackDays is an open source hackathon organized by DINUM, the digital directorate of the French government. It brings together developers, UX/UI designers and contributors from across the public sector and open source ecosystem to work on shared goals, build working prototypes, and exchange ideas for a more sovereign digital future.

Under the slogan “We code, we build, we transform”, participants follow the mission to create open source apps aimed at strengthening European digital sovereignty. Specifically, it’s all about everyday collaborative tools. A category that OpenProject perfectly fits in.

Note

Docs, developed by DINUM, has recently joined the openDesk ecosystem initiated by ZenDiS in Germany. OpenDesk brings together powerful open source tools like OpenProject to form a digital workplace for public institutions. The collaboration between DINUM and ZenDiS around Docs and OpenProject is an example of cross-border cooperation in digital sovereignty. HackDays offers a valuable opportunity to strengthen that collaboration and build practical bridges between the two ecosystems.

Integrating task management into Docs with OpenProject

One of the most exciting developments in La suite numérique is the Docs app: a collaborative note-taking tool that supports real-time editing and rich content blocks. The software is built using BlockNote, a flexible JavaScript-based editor. Docs is already used in public institutions across France. Learn more about Docs here.

To demonstrate the potential of deeper collaboration, the OpenProject team at Paris will prototype an integration between OpenProject and Docs. The idea is simple: Users working in Docs should be able to create and link OpenProject work packages directly within the document. That way, notes and discussions can seamlessly turn into structured tasks, all while staying in the same interface.

Planned objectives for our participation at HackDays 2025:

• Search and display OpenProject work packages in Docs.
• Show dynamic metadata for linked work packages (e.g. type, status, dates).
• Create OpenProject work packages directly from within Docs, possibly using selected content.

This prototype is only the beginning. Our broader goal is to show how open source tools — and the public institutions behind them — can work together more effectively.

United in mission and code: Open source software in Europe

Hackathons like HackDays are about more than prototypes. They’re about building relationships, exchanging knowledge, and strengthening the ecosystem of open source solutions in the public sector.

By bringing together tools like Docs and OpenProject, we’re not just solving immediate problems. We’re laying the foundation for a digital infrastructure that is open, modular, and aligned with public values – shaped by those who use it most. At OpenProject, we see a lot of potential in strengthening collaboration between projects supported by ZenDiS, DINUM, and other European partners. HackDays Paris is an important step in that direction.

With increasing pressure on governments to ensure transparency, interoperability, and control over their digital infrastructure, open source collaboration across borders is no longer optional but essential.

Be part of the progress

If you’re attending HackDays, come say hello — we’d love to meet you. If not, stay tuned for our wrap-up and the next steps for connecting OpenProject and Docs. You can follow the progress on GitHub and take a look at our team’s project here. Of course, you can visit the official website to see the detailed program.

We look forward to sharing what we’ve built at the end of HackDays. Open collaboration leads to better tools. Let’s code, build and transform them together.