In a remarkable testament to the growth and success of the Dutch Drupal community, the Dutch Government has made a significant move by mandating that any supplier for their new website must be a member of the "Stichting Drupal Nederland" (Dutch Drupal Association). This decision comes after years of dedication and hard work from the association's founder, Bert Boerland, and its enthusiastic members.

The journey of Stichting Drupal Nederland began more than 13 years ago, back in 2010, when Bert Boerland, a Senior Sales Executive at SUSE, co-founded the organisation. At that time, the association primarily supported the DrupalJam events in The Netherlands, focused on the open-source CMS Drupal. Starting with a modest attendance of 30 people, the DrupalJam events experienced exponential growth, attracting hundreds of attendees and increasing budgetary requirements.

You May Like

Article

CTI Digital Webinar | Navigating Drupal 7 End-of-Life: Considerations and Strategies

Article

CTI Digital Webinar | Navigating Drupal 7 End-of-Life: Considerations and Strategies

Initially, Boerland financed these events out of his pocket, using any surplus to fund subsequent gatherings. However, as the popularity of DrupalJam increased, and the financial risks became substantial, the Dutch Drupal community established the "Stichting Drupal Nederland" to ensure transparency and effective management of resources.

Over the past decade, the association's endeavours have grown manifold, not only within the Netherlands but also internationally. In addition to organising the thriving DrupalJam movement, Stichting Drupal Nederland initiated the prestigious "SplashAwards," honouring the best Drupal websites in the country. The association's dedication to open-source principles also led to sharing the code base of drupal.nl with other European Drupal Associations, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange.

The Dutch Drupal Association has been at the forefront of empowering the community through initiatives like the Drupal Training Days, where students are intensively trained in Drupal within a day, and the bi-monthly Drupal Tech Talks, providing valuable insights and networking opportunities. Moreover, the association's commitment to giving back to the community is evident in various instances, including their support to the Ukraine Drupal community and the airing of commercials on the leading Business News Network radio station to promote Drupal and its advantages.

The impact and accomplishments of Stichting Drupal Nederland have not gone unnoticed. The Dutch Government's decision to prioritise suppliers who are members of the association reflects the trust and recognition earned by the Dutch Drupal ecosphere over the years.

As Bert Boerland proudly leads the board of the Stichting Drupal Nederland as Chair, he looks back on the association's remarkable journey and the countless achievements that have contributed to the growth and success of the Dutch Drupal community. With a bright future ahead, the Dutch Drupal ecosphere continues to thrive, offering innovative solutions and driving excellence in the world of open-source CMS.

Source of Information: The Dutch Government and Drupal | LinkedIn