ZenDiS and RKI conclude contract on the use of openDesk for the ÖGD platform Agora

Bochum/Berlin, 11.06.2025. The Center for Digital Sovereignty of Public Administration (ZenDiS) and the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) have signed a contract to integrate the open source-based collaboration solution openDesk into the public health service communication platform Agora. This step improves digital and cross-institutional collaboration in the Public Health Service (ÖGD). The central working environment is available to all employees in health authorities, state health authorities and ministries and other institutions in the Public Health Service.

Collaboration at the center

Since 2021, Agora (www.rki.de/agora) has served as a central digital collaboration platform and working environment for the Public Health Service. The project was initiated by the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) and operational responsibility was transferred to the RKI. The platform is used for communication, knowledge management and cross-organizational collaboration. It offers a standardized, user-friendly solution for networking and sharing information and experience.

The integration of openDesk provides Agora with a new technical basis that consistently strengthens the collaborative aspect. The cloud-based open source collaboration platform is provided by ZenDiS as a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution specifically for public administration. OpenDesk is therefore a superior alternative to proprietary offerings.

Users can access central openDesk functions such as shared document editing, file storage, chat and knowledge management directly in the Agora platform - without media disruptions or additional applications. A forum component has been added to openDesk specifically for the needs of the RKI. "By integrating openDesk and its functions, we are giving the currently more than 7,000 Agora users the opportunity to get in touch and collaborate even better and more easily," says Dr. Michael Goltz, Head of Information Technology at the RKI.

"It is particularly important to us to promote communication and a low-threshold exchange of knowledge in a protected space," says Theresa Brüll, Agora project manager at the Robert Koch Institute.

ZenDiS takes over central support

Since February 2025, ZenDiS has also been responsible for the technical operation and central support of the solution. "Our aim is not only to make the administration's IT more efficient, but also more sustainable and independent," explains Alexander Smolianitski, Head of Open Source Products at ZenDiS. "Open source solutions such as openDesk play a key role in this." Alexander Pockrandt, Managing Director at ZenDiS, emphasizes: "With this contract, the RKI, ZenDiS and the BMG are in line with the new federal government's commitment to greater digital sovereignty."

Goal: Networking the entire public health service with Agora as a central platform

Agora is already used by the majority of the approximately 400 health authorities in Germany. In addition, numerous state health authorities, ministries of health, the Federal Institute of Public Health, the Academy of Public Health and other public health institutions are also active on the platform. With the integration of openDesk, Agora is being expanded as a central digital communication and collaboration environment for the entire ÖGD. The aim is to network employees at all levels of the ÖGD nationwide, shorten communication channels and thus be able to make optimal use of resources and knowledge.

About ZenDiS

The Center for Digital Sovereignty of Public Administration (ZenDiS) was founded in 2022 by the Federal Ministry of the Interior and for Home Affairs (BMI). As a competence and service center, ZenDiS supports public administration at federal, state and municipal level in securing its ability to act in the digital space in the long term - above all by eliminating critical dependencies on individual technology providers. To this end, ZenDiS is concentrating on promoting the use of open source software in public administration in the first expansion phase. ZenDiS is a limited company and is currently wholly owned by the federal government. A participation of the federal states is in preparation. ZenDiS is based in Bochum.