Broadening our view: from Fundació .cat to Accent Obert
As part of the 60th CENTR Business Operations & Processes Workshop, hosted by the Estonian Internet Foundation on October 9 and 10, Accent Obert’s Domain Director, Beatriz Guzmán, presented “Accent Obert: a new institution for Catalan in the digital era”.
The session provided an opportunity to share with European domains the transformation process from Fundació .cat to Accent Obert, a new institution that aims to ensure that anyone can live fully in Catalan in the digital world.
What did we share?
The name change arose from a reflection: “Is the name Fundació .cat the right one for what we want to do from now on?”
According to Guzmán, the answer is clear: the previous brand was too closely associated with the .cat domain. Accent Obert allows us to cross that boundary and connect with new areas of action, more in line with the entity’s current mission.
This evolution means:
• Moving from a single product —the .cat domain— to a digital services ecosystem for the Catalan-speaking community.
• Consolidating ourselves as an independent entity connected to Catalan culture and language, becoming a proactive actor in driving digital transformation.
• Becoming a space for connection among digital projects and institutions.
Looking ahead
Accent Obert has evolved to broaden the scope of the .cat domain and become an institution working to ensure a digital world in Catalan.
Our goals are:
• Expanding competencies in the technological, linguistic, and cultural spheres, becoming a unifying link.
• Actively participating in digital initiatives and linguistic innovation.
• Ensuring that Catalan remains visible, usable, and valued in the digital world.
This new stage marks the beginning of a journey to open new digital channels in Catalan and to create an open, global space connected to our identity.
This change strengthens the role of the .cat domain, giving it its own voice and capacity for action. It defines a distinct strategy, aligned with Accent Obert’s global vision, while harnessing the collective drive to expand the presence of Catalan online.
