Lessons learned from WE BUILD Consortium: Working with 180+ organizations in 1 Community Collaboration Platform?

Louise began by outlining the scale of WE BUILD. The consortium supports the development of the European Digital Business Wallet, a major European Union initiative that aims to simplify cross-border transactions and strengthen digital autonomy. This wallet will allow entrepreneurs to share verified business data securely with governments and companies across Europe. It connects business registers, national administrations and technology providers. Louise explained that building this type of infrastructure requires cooperation across sectors that usually operate separately.

Coordinating this work demands more than meetings or documents. It requires a shared digital environment where partners can exchange information, collaborate on tasks and keep track of developments. Louise described how, before the adoption of a unified platform, the consortium relied on scattered tools that made collaboration difficult. Information lived in separate systems. Partners missed updates or had limited visibility into the overall project. The WE BUILD team needed a space that brought everything together and supported transparent communication.

This is where Open Social became essential. Louise explained that the platform provides a structured environment where partners can join communities, access resources, participate in discussions and coordinate projects. The consortium created dedicated spaces for working groups, technical teams, policy experts and national partners. Each group can collaborate in real time, share documents and follow progress. Open Social helps the consortium stay organized and ensures that partners do not work in isolation.

A major theme in Louise’s talk was the importance of trust. WE BUILD involves public institutions, private companies and technology providers. These organizations must share information safely and follow strict requirements for data protection. Louise emphasized that Open Social’s alignment with European privacy regulations makes it a reliable foundation for collaboration. The platform supports access control, secure document sharing and clear governance. These features help partners feel confident that the information they share is handled with care.

Louise described how the consortium uses the platform to host meetings, share notes and organize resources. Partners can access materials from earlier sessions, follow discussions and stay informed about next steps. This reduces duplication and ensures that participants have consistent information. Louise explained that these practical improvements strengthen the consortium’s ability to coordinate across countries and organizations.

She also highlighted how Open Social supports innovation inside the consortium. WE BUILD brings together partners with different backgrounds. Some come from public administration, others from technology companies or business registers. The platform creates a shared space where these diverse groups can explore new ideas and build solutions collaboratively. Louise noted that digital interoperability is not only a technical issue. It also depends on human collaboration. People must understand each other’s perspectives and work toward aligned goals. The platform helps create that shared understanding.

Another part of her talk focused on the role of the European Digital Business Wallet. Louise explained that the wallet is designed to support entrepreneurs who work across borders. Today, companies face administrative burdens when operating in multiple countries. The wallet will help reduce these burdens by allowing businesses to share verified information instantly and safely. This includes company registration data and other official records. Louise emphasized that the pilot initiative is a major step toward a more connected and efficient digital economy in Europe.

The consortium’s work shows how collaboration can create real impact. Louise described how partners across 30 countries coordinate efforts to align technical standards, legal frameworks and business processes. The platform helps them stay aligned and ensures that progress moves consistently. She shared how Open Social’s structured spaces help partners navigate complex issues and maintain a clear overview of ongoing work. These capabilities reduce friction and support better decision-making.

Louise also emphasized the importance of inclusivity. A project of this scale must consider different languages, cultures and institutional contexts. The platform helps partners share knowledge in accessible ways and creates opportunities for participation. Communities are not limited to a single dominant voice. Instead, they reflect the diversity of Europe’s digital landscape. Louise noted that this inclusivity strengthens the project and helps ensure that solutions meet the needs of all member states.

Throughout her talk, Louise offered a realistic view of the challenges the consortium faces. Coordinating so many partners is not simple. It requires clarity, structure and continuous alignment. The platform supports these needs by offering tools for planning, communication and documentation. Louise explained that these tools help teams manage the complexity and focus on the shared mission rather than administrative hurdles.

She closed her talk with a reflection on the potential of WE BUILD. The consortium demonstrates what is possible when organizations work together with purpose. The European Digital Business Wallet will support entrepreneurs, reduce administrative burdens and contribute to Europe’s digital sovereignty. The collaboration between partners across so many countries shows that digital transformation succeeds when systems and people are connected.

Louise’s presentation gave the audience a clear view of how Open Social supports one of Europe’s most significant digital initiatives. Her insights highlighted the power of structured collaboration and the importance of platforms that bring people together across borders. The WE BUILD Consortium reflects a future where cooperation drives innovation and where shared digital spaces help organizations build solutions that serve millions of people.

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