Thoughts and Updates for a Sovereign Digital Future

2025-03-18

The recent motions in the Dutch Parliament and the resolution proposal from the French Senate are a direct response to the escalating challenges to Europe's digital sovereignty. The EuroStack Project welcomes these initiatives and highlights their alignment with the EuroStack vision.

2025-03-17

The EuroStack Project endorses the Open Letter: 'European Industry Calls for Strong Commitment to Sovereign Digital Infrastructure', released on March 17, 2025, and addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen,.

2025-03-16

Here is our final position paper of the EuroStack Project, which was submitted in response to the European Commission's Call for Evidence on the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy. As the Commission states: Start-ups and scale-ups are crucial for the EU’s competitiveness. They often bring to the...

2025-03-12

We have drafted a position paper of the EuroStack Project, to be submitted in response to the European Commission's Call for Evidence on the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy. As the Commission states: Start-ups and scale-ups are crucial for the EU’s competitiveness. They often bring to the market...

2025-03-08

The German state of Schleswig-Holstein is making waves with its ambitious plan to ditch Microsoft Office, Exchange, and Windows in favor of Open Source alternatives. This bold move has significant implications for digital sovereignty, public procurement, and the future of the European digital...

2025-03-07

Our position paper on reforming public procurement practices to achieve digital sovereignty through open source software outlines concrete recommendations for the European Commission to align public procurement directives with the principles of digital sovereignty, open source first, and...

2025-03-03

As reported by Euractiv, the Transatlantic Data Privacy Framework (TADPF/DPF) is collapsing. The European Commission's silence is deafening. The time for decisive action by every organization involved is now. The EuroStack Directory is your essential resource for navigating this crisis and...

2025-02-26

The CJEU ruling in the Google vs. Enel X case sets a precedent for enforcing interoperability and combating anti-competitive behavior in the digital market. This landmark judgment strengthens the case for digital sovereignty and a more competitive European tech landscape.

2025-02-25

This submission provides evidence-based input to the 2025 Strategic Foresight Report, focusing on long-term EU resilience, from the perspective of the EuroStack Project. We believe that achieving genuine digital sovereignty, built upon Open Source principles and a thriving European ecosystem, is...

2025-02-08

A critical analysis of the European Centre for Development Policy Management's discussion paper on digital sovereignty and the EuroStack Initiative's response. This post examines the strengths and limitations of the ECDPM paper and advocates for a more ambitious vision for European digital independence.

2025-02-08

An opinionated guide, based on the experiences of a long-time open-source maintainer (Gael Varoqaux), on building successful open-source software tools. The guide emphasizes simplicity, tradeoffs, community, and quality as key principles for sustainable open-source projects.

2025-02-07

The reported UK demand for Apple to create a backdoor to iCloud encryption is a stark warning about the fragility of digital privacy and the urgent need for European digital sovereignty. This post explores the implications of this development and reinforces the EuroStack Initiative's call for a...

2025-02-05

A recent report by the Gesellschaft für Informatik e. V. (GI) paints a bleak picture of Germany's digital policy, highlighting the country's growing dependence on monopolistic tech companies and the risks to its digital sovereignty. This post explores the key findings of the report and what they...

2025-02-04

The Gaia-X initiative, launched with the promise of a sovereign European cloud infrastructure, has largely failed to deliver, becoming entangled in bureaucracy and dominated by the very hyperscalers it aimed to challenge. Its multiple failures highlight the urgent need for Europe to abandon...

2025-02-04

The recent tariffs imposed by the Trump administration have profound implications for the digital sphere, highlighting the urgent need for European digital sovereignty. The EuroStack initiative offers a path forward, a way to break free from this cycle of dependence and vulnerability.

2025-01-30

The European Commission is subsidising significant discounts (90%) on a cloud training scheme for SMEs, but as expected by anyone who has been following this trend for the last 25 years, the courses focus heavily on AWS. This is a small, but revelatory example of scoring goals against our own...

2025-01-29

EuroStack's response to the European Commission's Call for Evidence on the Single Market Strategy for 2025, focusing on digital sovereignty, open source, and interoperability.

2025-01-28

The European Commission's recently leaked "Competitiveness Compass" draft is a significant document outlining a vision for Europe's economic future. While it touches upon many critical aspects, its implications for the European digital ecosystem, particularly in areas concerning AI, software,...

2025-01-26

Our position paper on reforming public procurement practices to achieve digital sovereignty through open source software outlines concrete recommendations for the European Commission to align public procurement directives with the principles of digital sovereignty, open source first, and...

2025-01-23

President Trump's recent actions have thrown the EU-US Transatlantic Data Privacy Framework (TADPF) into disarray, exposing its fragility and the risks of relying on transatlantic agreements. This post explores the implications of Trump's moves for European digital sovereignty and the need for...

2025-01-21

Artificial intelligence (AI) and open source are two transformative forces shaping Europe's digital future. In this article, we explore the symbiotic relationship between AI and open source, the strategic importance of open source for Europe, and the role of regulation and responsibility in...

2025-01-20

Exploring the key insights and recommendations from the ADEME report on digital sustainability, and how they align with the EuroStack Initiative's vision for a sovereign, open, and sustainable European digital infrastructure.

2025-01-19

The Biden administration has issued a last Executive Order on Strengthening and Promoting Innovation in the Nation's Cybersecurity on January 16th. While a U.S.-centric document, this EO has several implications for Europe - particularly for our aspirations of achieving digital sovereignty and...

2025-01-17

The EuroStack Initiative is a call to action, an invitation to reimagine Europe's digital future, to move beyond a mindset of competition and adaptation, and to embrace a future of sovereignty and self-determination. By applying the teachings of Donella Meadows, we can ensure that the EuroStack...

2025-01-15

As we embark on 2025, the European digital ecosystem appears to find itself at a critical juncture. The momentum built around digital sovereignty and FOSS adoption in recent years faces new challenges and uncertainties, particularly with the re-election of Donald Trump as US President. The...

2025-01-01

The year 2024 has been a pivotal one for the intersection of Open Source software (FOSS) and digital sovereignty in Europe. With increasing awareness of the strategic importance of controlling digital infrastructure and data, the debate has moved from theoretical discussions to concrete actions,...

2024-12-10

We explore the importance of enforceable interoperability, focusing on open standards and the risks of weakened definitions. It provides actionable recommendations for strengthening interoperability in complex environments like cloud computing and telecommunications.

2024-11-19

We analyze the outcomes of the 'Toward European Digital Independence: Building the Euro Stack' conference, highlighting areas of alignment with strategic goals, identifying gaps, and proposing concrete actions to further the cause of European digital independence.

2024-09-12

This draft aims to establish a robust set of criteria that define what it means for software or a digital service or system to be considered 'sovereign' within the European context. It draws inspiration from various sources, including the Digital Summit's focus group on digital sovereignty, the...

2024-09-12

We outline how open source software aligns with the core recommendations of the Draghi Report and why a shift toward open source adoption across Europe is necessary to enhance competitiveness, reduce dependencies, and foster a more resilient and dynamic digital economy.

2024-08-01

The potential defunding of the Next Generation Internet (NGI) initiative in the Horizon Europe working draft for 2025 poses a significant threat to the European open source ecosystem. This post outlines the critical role NGI plays in fostering innovation, ensuring digital sovereignty, and...

2024-06-27

We outline strategies to effectively mobilize European Open Source communities to support providers and adopters within the Connected Collaborative Computing (3C) framework. Drawing on extensive experience with collaborative projects and funding schemes, we advocate for a shift towards more...

2024-02-25

The European Commission's commitment to Open Source software is a key aspect of Europe's digital agenda. Building on previous Open Source Strategy documents (2014-2017 and 2020-2023), we outline a proposal for a renewed and expanded strategy for 2024-2027, addressing evolving digital challenges...

2024-02-13

Open Source Program Offices (OSPOs) in the public sector have a dual mandate, encompassing both internal and external-facing functions. This document outlines the core responsibilities of a public-sector OSPO, highlighting the distinct yet interconnected nature of its internal and external mandates.

2024-02-07

The passage of the Cyber Resilience Act by European institutions has sparked controversy, with the Open Source community and SMEs at the heart of the debate. This post examines the missteps and oversights that marred the CRA's development, highlighting a legislative process marked by deficiency...

2024-01-30

A report on the challenges of cyber defence was tabled on 17 January by the National Assembly's Committee on National Defence and the Armed Forces. Presented by MPs Anne Le Hénanff and Frédéric Mathieu, the report looks at the French Ministry of the Armed Forces' dependence on Microsoft...

2024-01-01

The year 2023 saw a surge of interest in Open Source software as a cornerstone of digital sovereignty across Europe. From the EU's Open Source Strategy to national initiatives and industry advocacy, key themes emerged that shaped the landscape of Open Source in Europe. This article provides an...

2023-12-12

Europe's digital policy is in a state of flux, with policymakers grappling to balance security, innovation, and the unique nature of Open Source software. While the EU aims to bolster its digital sovereignty and cybersecurity, exemplified by the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), its approach and...

2023-01-01

The year 2022 marked a year of both solidification and strategic shifts in the relationship between Open Source software (FOSS) and digital sovereignty in Europe. This article provides an overview of the major developments and debates that defined the year 2022 in Open Source and digital sovereignty.

2022-01-01

The year 2021 was a pivotal year for Open Source software and digital sovereignty in Europe. This article provides an overview of the major developments and debates that shaped the Open Source ecosystem in Europe in 2021.

2021-01-01

The year 2020 was a pivotal year for Open Source software and digital sovereignty in Europe. This article provides an overview of the major developments and debates that shaped the Open Source ecosystem in Europe in 2020.

2020-11-23

The EU’s cloud infrastructure initiative, Gaia-X, poses a great risk of destroying the European ecosystem and hopes of sovereignty after the inclusion of some of the world’s largest tech firms in the project. This article explores the potential dangers of Gaia-X and the need for a more strategic...