2026-01-29 –, Session Room
How can government organizations build consistent, accessible, and flexible websites without reinventing the wheel each time?
GovNL CMS combines the power of two open source projects, NL Design System and Drupal, to create a modular, scalable platform for Dutch government websites.
By connecting Figma design tokens, CSS variables, and Drupal Single Directory Components, the platform ensures seamless collaboration between design and development while maintaining a unified look and feel across all sites.
In this session, we’ll explore how the GovNL CMS platform enables Dutch government organizations to deliver modern, user-friendly websites efficiently. Built on Drupal, the platform integrates the NL Design System and its design tokens to bring visual consistency and accessibility to every digital touchpoint.
We’ll take a closer look at how:
- Design tokens defined in Figma are automatically converted to CSS variables and applied in Drupal components.
- Single Directory Components (SDC) and UI Patterns form the foundation of a reusable, component-driven front end.
- Drupal Recipes simplify configuration and accelerate new site setup.
The platform balances flexibility for individual organizations with a shared, maintainable foundation.
Attendees will gain insight into the architecture, collaboration workflow, and key lessons learned from building a shared, open source platform that unites designers, developers, and government stakeholders around a single goal: better digital services for everyone.
Rikkert Steenbergen is a Solution Architect specializing in Drupal-based web platforms for the Dutch government