DrupalCon Rotterdam: Why Digital Sovereignty is Now Front and Center

The Call for Papers for DrupalCon Rotterdam is officially open. We have an important update regarding one of our most vital tracks.
This year, we officially expanded the scope of our discussions. What was previously the Open Web track has evolved into the Digital Sovereignty and Open Web track.

Why the Change?`
Today, many large companies control our data and our platforms. The Open Web is about more than just code. It is about who has control. Digital Sovereignty means that people, organizations, and countries have the right to control their own digital lives.
By adding this to the name, we show that DrupalCon is the place for these big talks. We want to build a web that is fair, open, and not controlled by just a few large companies.

Who Should Submit?
We are looking for more than just technical sessions. To solve the challenges of the modern web, we need a broad range of perspectives. We want to hear from the following groups.

  • Policymakers navigating the GDPR and the AI Act.
  • Advocates fighting for digital equity and accessibility.
  • Site Builders and Developers implementing privacy first architectures.
  • Community Leaders fostering sustainable open source ecosystems.

 

Photo by PD Johnson

 

Potential Topics
If you are wondering whether your idea fits, here are a few topics we would love to see on the stage.

  • Accessibility as Sovereignty: Why the web is not truly open if it is not accessible to everyone. We want to hear how universal design gives people the power to use the web independently.
  • Local First Apps: How to build tools that work without the internet and keep data with the user. We want to hear about tools that put the user in charge of their own information.
  • Public Code: How Drupal helps everyone, from sole traders to national governments, keep their independence. We want to hear how you use open source tools to stay in control of your digital future.
  • Privacy by Design: How to make Drupal sites that protect user data from the start. We want to hear how you build Drupal sites that prioritize security and privacy.
  • Digital Identity: New ways for users to prove who they are without giving away their privacy. We want to hear about new identity systems that respect the individual.
  • Green Coding: How saving energy helps keep the web free and open. We want to hear how digital efficiency supports a sovereign web.
  • AI and Ownership: How to use AI without losing control of your work. We want to hear about how Drupal can use AI while keeping data private and models ethical.
  • Regulatory and economical control: The European Union is building sovereignty through laws like GDPR, cloud infrastructure, and cybersecurity. We want to hear how these regulations and investments affect the way we build and host the web.

Submit Today
The Open Web does not stay open by accident. It stays open because people share their knowledge and vision. Whether you are seasoned or a first time speaker with a unique perspective, we want to hear from you.


Link to CFP  Submission Portal Deadline: https://events.drupal.org/rotterdam2026/submit-your-session-proposal