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The year 2021 in Review: Open Source and Digital Sovereignty in Europe

2022-01-01

Open Source and Digital Sovereignty: 2021 - Laying the Foundation for a European digital future

2021 was a year of laying foundations and intensifying discussions about the role of Open Source software (FOSS) in achieving digital sovereignty for Europe. The year saw a growing recognition of FOSS as a strategic asset, not just for cost savings and flexibility, but also for ensuring control over critical digital infrastructures and promoting European values.

The French Momentum: "Cloud de Confiance" and "Mission Logiciels Libres"

France continued to be a driving force in promoting digital sovereignty, with several key initiatives taking shape in 2021:

  • "Cloud de Confiance" Strategy Unveiled: The French government formally announced its "cloud de confiance" strategy, aiming to create a label for cloud services that meet stringent security and data localization requirements. While intended to boost European cloud providers, the strategy's reliance on licensing US technologies sparked debate about its effectiveness in achieving true sovereignty. The announcement also highlighted the ongoing tension between the desire for digital independence and the reality of a globalized tech market.
  • "Mission Logiciels Libres" Established: The creation of the "Mission Logiciels Libres" (Free Software Mission) within the DINUM (Interministerial Directorate for Digital Affairs) signaled a commitment to promoting FOSS adoption within the French public sector. The mission was tasked with coordinating FOSS initiatives across ministries and developing an action plan for Open Source and digital commons, and the publication of circular 6264/SG, which provides recommendations on the use of FOSS by the public sector.

Germany's Growing Focus on Open Source

Germany also made significant strides in 2021, further solidifying its commitment to Open Source:

  • Coalition Agreement Embraces Open Source: The new German government's coalition agreement explicitly embraced Open Source as a key element of its digital strategy, mandating the use of open standards and advocating for the principle of "Public Money, Public Code."
  • Sovereign Tech Fund Launched: The Sovereign Tech Fund, a new initiative aimed at supporting critical digital infrastructure projects based on Open Source, was launched, highlighting a commitment to long-term investment in the FOSS ecosystem.
  • Dataport's Open Source Strategy: Dataport, a major IT service provider for the German public sector, announced its intention to develop an Open Source-based workplace solution, signaling a growing recognition of FOSS's potential within public administrations.

European Commission's Open Source Strategy 2020-2023 in Action

The European Commission's Open Source Software Strategy 2020-2023 continued to guide activities at the EU level. The Open Source Observatory (OSOR) played a key role in providing resources, analysis, and best practices for public administrations, while also creating a network for sharing best practices and helping the adoption of Open Source within European public services.

The Next Generation Internet (NGI) initiative funded numerous Open Source projects contributing to a more human-centric internet. The "Think Open" approach also gained traction within the European Commission.

The GAIA-X Project Faces Scrutiny

The GAIA-X project, aimed at creating a federated European data infrastructure, faced increasing scrutiny in 2021. Critics raised concerns about its governance structure, the inclusion of non-European tech giants, and the lack of concrete deliverables. The project's struggles highlighted the challenges of building a truly sovereign European cloud ecosystem and sparked debate about the best path forward. The project was initially presented as a revolutionary initiative but had failed to deliver on its promises.

Open Source and Cybersecurity

The importance of Open Source for cybersecurity was another recurring theme in 2021. The transparency and auditability of Open Source code were seen as key advantages in building secure and resilient systems. The Log4Shell vulnerability, discovered in late 2021, underscored the importance of securing the Open Source supply chain and highlighted the need for greater investment in Open Source security. It also demonstrated the capacity of the FOSS community to quickly react to a crisis, while also highlighting the need for stronger support for FOSS developers.

A Foundation for Future Growth

While 2021 may not have produced any spectacular breakthroughs, it was a year of steady progress in laying the groundwork for a more digitally sovereign Europe. The growing recognition of Open Source as a strategic asset, the development of national and European-level initiatives, and the ongoing debates about the best path forward all contributed to a maturing ecosystem.

The challenges ahead were clear: bridging the gap between policy and implementation, addressing the skills shortage, ensuring sustainable funding for FOSS projects, and navigating the complex geopolitical landscape. But the seeds of change had been sown, and the momentum generated in 2021 would pave the way for further advancements in the years to come, setting the stage for a more robust, resilient, and independent European digital future, based on the principles of openness, collaboration, and shared control.