QGIS is a successful open-source project built by two main groups. On one side, there are developers who spend a lot of time and energy building and improving the software. On the other side, there are many users who use QGIS in very different contexts. These two groups are both very important, but they do not always work closely together.

Open source is not only about code. It is also about collaboration and exchange between people. QGIS User Groups already show this at a local level, where users meet, share experience, and learn from each other. However, when it comes to influencing how the software evolves, many users feel far from the process.

One reason is that developers and users often think in different ways. Developers focus on algorithms, parameters, technical solutions, QEP and coding style. Users focus on their daily work: making maps, managing data, and solving concrete problems. For example, a user interface is not only a way to show parameters — it should match how users think and work. But sometimes, design decisions are made without enough user feedback. This can lead to tools that are difficult to understand or not adapted to real needs. Another issue is related to contribution itself. Contribution channels often assume familiarity with tools such as GitHub — even though many users do not know what it is or how to use it.

Other open-source projects have worked on similar problems. They have created spaces for discussion, user testing, and easier ways to contribute without technical skills.

In this talk, I will present some ideas to improve the situation: better discussion platforms (like forums), regular user testing sessions, and stronger links between user feedback and development. I will also argue that reporting a problem in a workflow is already an important contribution.

The presentation will end with an open discussion: how can we connect users and developers more effectively? What role can QGIS User Groups play? And how can we build a QGIS that is designed with its users, not only for them?