Merge pull request 'adding grammar corrections' (#3465) from news-20230525-IEA into master

Reviewed-on: #3465

news/2023/news-20230323-02.en.xhtml

@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@
 	Interoperability is a core element of the ongoing digitalisation, 
 	also of public services. Hence, the interplay among public 
 	administration, the private sector, and civil society has to be 
-	acknowledged as a crucial component to lead Europe into an 
+	acknowledged as a crucial component to leading Europe into an 
 	interoperable ecosystem. 
 	</p>
 
@@ -40,27 +40,27 @@
 	Source”) and Open Standards for interoperability, they are not 
 	clearly defined. Moreover, the current text falls short of 
 	recognising the role of other stakeholders in the proposed 
-	governance approach, such as the case of civil society not only as 
+	governance approach, of civil society not only as 
 	a provider of expertise but also as a decision-making actor. Lastly, 
 	the text remains unclear with regard to concrete activities to 
-	promote interoperability and a dedicated budget for such.
+	promote interoperability and a dedicated budget for such activities.
 	</p>
 
 	<h2>Let’s make things clearer</h2>
 	<p>
 	Free Software and Open Standards create the conditions for 
 	interoperability. Free Software is crucial when building public 
-	services that are accessible to everybody across borders and 
-	sectors. Open Standards allow the conditions needed for those 
+	services that are accessible to everyone across borders and 
+	sectors. Open Standards provide the conditions needed for those 
 	systems to be able to communicate with each other enabling 
-	freely sharing of data. These two prevent lock-in and other 
+	the free sharing of data. These two prevent lock-in and other 
 	artificial barriers to interoperability and promote choice between 
 	vendors and technology solutions. 
 	</p>
 
 	<p>
-	At the moment Free Software and Open Standards are indicated as 
-	factors to enhance interoperability, however clear definitions of 
+	At the moment, Free Software and Open Standards are indicated as 
+	factors to enhance interoperability; however clear definitions of 
 	such are not given. Until now, the lack of definitions and clear 
 	actions has led to loopholes not only in the interpretation but 
 	also in the implementation of previous digital initiatives. We, 
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@
 	digital solution. The default should be a digital solution that 
 	enhances such interoperability based on Free Software. If this is 
 	not the case, public bodies must justify, based on this assessment, 
-	the reasons for not arriving at such a decision. Court of Auditors can 
+	the reasons for not arriving at such a decision. The Court of Auditors can 
 	play an important role when monitoring such decisions and 
 	publishing reports on publicly funded digital systems on a steady 
 	basis. 
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@
 	the sharing of data and information among different public bodies 
 	which can raise concerns among the public. Involving others, 
 	especially civil society in the decision-making process will not 
-	only help to build trust from the public but also ensure that 
+	only help to build trust with the public but also ensure that 
 	this regulation is guided by democratic and participatory 
 	principles. 
 	</p>
@@ -122,18 +122,18 @@
 
 
 	<blockquote> 
-	<p><em> “The Interoperable Europe Act is the potential chance the EU has to make a major change in how procurement of digital services is handled. By going on the direction of Free Software first, the EU can assure that tax’s payers money is spent in the most efficient way, while it will create the collaborative ecosystem that is needed to achieve interoperability in Europe” explains Lina Ceballos, FSFE Policy Project Manager.
+	<p><em> “The Interoperable Europe Act is a potential chance the EU has to make a major change in how procurement of digital services is handled. By going in the direction of Free Software first, the EU can assure that tax's payers money is spent in the most efficient way, while it will create the collaborative ecosystem that is needed to achieve interoperability in Europe” explains Lina Ceballos, FSFE Policy Project Manager.
 	</em></p>
 	</blockquote>
 
 	<h2>Network of public administrations for re-using solutions</h2>
 
 	<p>The IEA can be more ambitious in setting up the proper 
-	assistance and network that public administrations need in the 
+	assistance and network that public administrations need for the 
 	digital implementation of such legislation. Currently, proposals 
 	such as training are included. However, the text fails to address 
-	the scope of such training, as well as to highlight the dedicated 
-	budget needed for such. There is hereof clear importance of 
+	the scope of such training or highlight the dedicated 
+	budget needed for it. There is hereof clear importance of 
 	training - with a proper budget allocation - for civil servants on 
 	Free Software technologies, workflows, and their impact on 
 	transparency and trustworthy interoperable digital infrastructure. 
@@ -153,10 +153,9 @@
 	<h2>Monitoring and evaluation</h2>
 
 	<p>Monitoring plays a fundamental role within this proposal, 
-	especially when it comes to different member states approaching 
-	these guidelines. The EU must enable the coordination and knowledge 
+	especially when it comes to how different member states approach these guidelines. The EU must enable the coordination and knowledge 
 	exchange for innovative public procurement procedures among member 
-	states along with proper monitoring and evaluation strategies. 
+	states, along with proper monitoring and evaluation strategies. 
 	</p>
 
 	<p>In order to implement proper monitoring and evaluation, the EU 
@@ -171,10 +170,9 @@
 	<p>
 	It is not possible to properly evaluate and monitor if one does 
 	not have a clear understanding of the state of play and its 
-	fluctuation over time. This will enable an accurate oversight of the 
+	fluctuation over time. This will enable accurate oversight of the 
 	way public funds are being used. Combining this monitoring with the 
-	respective reports from the Code of Auditors both in the Member States 
-	as well as at the EU level will only enrich the procedure. 
+	respective reports from the Code of Auditors both in the Member States  and at the EU level will only enrich the procedure. 
 	</p>
 
 	<h2>Conclusion</h2>
@@ -186,7 +184,7 @@
 
 	<p>
 	The proposed Interoperable Europe Act has the potential to be a 
-	game changer in allowing the EU to guide with example in the 
+	game changer by allowing the EU to lead by example on the 
 	digitalisation path without having to reinvent the wheel over and 
 	over again. However, concrete activities, along with a dedicated 
 	budget, are needed to support member states and local 
@@ -200,7 +198,7 @@
 	<p>
 	This legislation is a potential opportunity to close the existing 
 	loopholes as well as define clear monitoring and evaluation 
-	indicators while laying the ground for the proper budget allocation 
+	indicators while laying the groundwork for the proper budget allocation 
 	needed for these efforts. This is, indeed, the legislation where 
 	Free Software and Open Standards must lead the way in the design 
 	and delivery of accessible and open public digital services. 

news/2023/news-20230524-01.en.xhtml

@@ -14,14 +14,14 @@
 The Committee of the Regions approved its opinion on the 
 Interoperable Europe Act. The EU representative body has failed to recognise 
 the importance that Free Software has for interoperability and thus for 
-digitalisation and innovation.  This underlines the relevance of Free 
+digitalisation and innovation.  This underlines the relevance of the Free 
 Software Community's participation in the planned 
 Interoperable Board.
 </p>
 
 <figure>
      <img src="https://pics.fsfe.org/uploads/medium/78/94/d9f6548eef03da7fac8ba80496bc.png" 
-       alt="EU flag with a gavel in the background and the word fail in the foreground"/>
+       alt="EU flag with a gavel in the background and the word FAIL stamped over it"/>
        </figure>
 
 <p>
@@ -30,23 +30,23 @@ interoperability through the Interoperable Europe Act, today the
 Committee of the Regions has adopted its opinion in plenary. While the 
 opinion has feebly mentioned the role of Free Software in achieving 
 cross-border interoperability and avoiding vendor lock-in in its policy 
-recommendations, the Committee of the Regions has failed in 
-substantially improving the original text and bringing up more solid 
-and necessary measures. It lacks to introduce a  “Free Software first” 
+recommendations, the Committee of the Regions has failed to 
+substantially improve the original text and bring up more solid 
+and necessary measures. It does not introduce a  “Free Software first” 
 approach and the involvement of stakeholders in the Interoperable 
-Europe Board, an intended body that shall decide on upcoming steps 
+Europe Board, an intended body that will decide on upcoming steps 
 arising from this legislation.
 </p>
 
 <p>
 </p>
 <blockquote>
- <em> "It is incomprehensible that the institution who has the responsibility 
+ <em> "It is incomprehensible that the institution that has the responsibility 
  to bring up the demands of thousands of local and regional 
  administrations fails in featuring the importance of Free Software for 
  interoperability. Hence, this decision only reaffirms the importance of 
- the involvement of stakeholder, who have actual competence, in this 
- decision making processes . We, therefore, urge the European Parliament 
+ the involvement of stakeholders, who have actual competence, in these 
+ decision-making processes. We, therefore, urge the European Parliament 
  to include the Free Software community in the Interoperable Europe 
  Board to guarantee sustainability and innovation in digitalisation. 
  Furthermore a 'Free Software first' approach still needs to be 
@@ -57,19 +57,19 @@ arising from this legislation.
 
 <p>
 The role that Free Software plays in the digitalisation of local and 
-regional administrations has shown to be of the great importance, 
-especially  during the corona pandemic. Among other, it strengthens 
+regional administrations has been shown to be of great importance, 
+especially  during the coronavirus pandemic. Among other things, it strengthens 
 digital sovereignty allowing administrations to have control over the 
 software they are using, while it enables that public funds are spent 
-in the most efficient way. For these reasons, over the last years the 
+in the most efficient way. For these reasons, the 
 FSFE has been demanding with its <a href="https://publiccode.eu/">'Public Money? Public 
 Code!' initiative</a> that publicly financed 
 software should be made publicly available under a Free Software 
-licence. It is now up to the European Parliament to ensure 
+licence. It is now up to the European Parliament to ensure that 
 interoperability is introduced by a <italic>“Free Software first” </italic> approach 
 while including the Free Software community on the path to digitalise 
-European public administrations. First Amendments in this direction 
-have been introduced already, however, the position has to be further 
+European public administrations. First amendments in this direction 
+have been introduced already; however, the position has to be further 
 improved. <a href="/news/2023/news-20230323-02.html">Further read</a>. 
 </p>