Compatibility & Synergy: KoliBri Supports ECL Themes (EU & EC) – Let's Collaborate

[deleonio]

📣 Summary

We’re happy to share that the KoliBri accessibility-first component library is now fully compatible with both ECL themes – EU and EC.

This compatibility enables seamless integration of KoliBri components into web applications and sites that follow the Europa Component Library (ECL) design principles, and opens new opportunities to advance accessibility and reuse across the European public sector.

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🔍 What is KoliBri?

KoliBri is an open, modular and accessibility-focused component library built for the needs of public digital services. It is based on modern web standards, supports theme customisation, and prioritizes inclusive design from the ground up.

Key Features:

• ✅ WCAG 2.1 AA-compliant by design – tested, documented, and maintainable
• 🎨 Theme-ready – full compatibility with both ecl-theme-eu and ecl-theme-ec
• ⚙️ Standards-based & framework-agnostic – built on HTML, CSS and JS with no vendor lock-in
• 🧩 Easy to integrate – works with CMSs (e.g., Drupal), SPAs, static sites, and design systems
• 🔍 Open & collaborative – licensed under MIT, with transparent development and public governance

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💡 Why it matters for ECL & Europa

KoliBri does not aim to replace ECL, but to complement it – offering a streamlined path for building accessible services within the ECL design framework, especially in these areas:

• Avoiding duplication: KoliBri can extend existing ECL components with new or more interactive patterns
• Accelerated delivery: Ready-to-use components that save time and reduce implementation complexity
• Accessibility by default: All components tested for accessibility – no need for extra tuning
• Ideal for small-scale or pilot projects: Especially where ECL is too heavy or complex to apply fully
• Expanding ECL’s reach: Encourages reuse and interoperability across EU institutions, member states, and partners

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🤝 Invitation to Collaborate

We would love to initiate a conversation between the ECL team and the KoliBri team to explore potential collaboration:

• 🔄 Component strategy alignment – Identify overlap and complementary components
• 🧪 Joint accessibility testing & validation – Harmonize testing strategies and expectations
• 📦 Optional plug-in concept for ECL-based projects – Use KoliBri where ECL lacks coverage
• 💬 Knowledge exchange – Governance, design principles, and community processes

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📚 Further Resources

• 🌐 Website & Documentation: https://public-ui.github.io/docs
• 📘 KoliBri Manifest & Quality Criteria: https://public-ui.github.io/docs/manifest
• 💻 GitHub Repository: https://github.com/public-ui/kolibri
• 🧪 Samples & Demos: https://develop--kolibri-public-ui.netlify.app

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📬 Contact

E-Mail: kolibri@itzbund.de

We’d be happy to schedule a short call or start async communication via GitHub or email.

Thanks for your work on ECL – and we’re looking forward to connecting!

[rriemann]

Having member states and the Commission collaborating towards common goals would totally be in the spirit of the EU treaties, namely:

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/treaty/teu_2012/art_4/oj/eng

3. Pursuant to the principle of sincere cooperation, the Union and the Member States shall, in full mutual respect, assist each other in carrying out tasks which flow from the Treaties.

The Member States shall take any appropriate measure, general or particular, to ensure fulfilment of the obligations arising out of the Treaties or resulting from the acts of the institutions of the Union.

The Member States shall facilitate the achievement of the Union's tasks and refrain from any measure which could jeopardise the attainment of the Union's objectives.

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