Achieving Digital Sovereignty through Connected, Collaborative Computing: An Open Source Approach

This position paper outlines 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 agile, inclusive, and decentralized approaches to foster innovation, enhance digital sovereignty, and ensure the long-term sustainability of Open Source projects. The paper identifies pressing needs within the 3C environment, addresses the hurdles to closer cooperation, and proposes concrete mechanisms for effective collaboration under Horizon Europe.

Introduction

The European Union has recognized the strategic importance of Open Source software in achieving digital sovereignty, enhancing competitiveness, and fostering innovation. The 3C (Connected, Collaborative, Computing) initiative presents a unique opportunity to leverage the strengths of European Open Source communities to build a resilient, trustworthy, and decentralized digital infrastructure. To achieve these goals, the EU must prioritize the needs of Open Source communities and adopt funding and support mechanisms that empower a wide range of stakeholders, particularly SMEs and individual developers.

Mobilising European Open Source Communities

Effectively engaging European Open Source communities requires a multi-faceted approach.

Firstly, agile funding mechanisms, such as cascade funding, are essential. These schemes provide flexible and rapid financial support directly to open source projects, empowering SMEs and individual developers to innovate and respond quickly to emerging needs. This approach avoids the bureaucratic inefficiencies often associated with larger, top-down funding models.

Secondly, establishing collaboration platforms and networks is crucial. These platforms should facilitate code sharing, documentation, best practice exchange, and project coordination, fostering a more integrated and efficient development environment. In addition to online platforms, a network of regional open source innovation hubs across the EU should be created. These hubs would provide resources, mentorship, funding, and networking opportunities, fostering collaboration between developers, businesses, and academia.

Finally, targeted education and training programs are needed to build open source expertise within the 3C domain, creating a skilled workforce capable of contributing to and benefiting from open source projects, thus ensuring the long-term sustainability of the ecosystem.

Pressing Needs for Open Source Building Blocks in the 3C Environment

To ensure the success of the 3C initiative, open source building blocks must address several key requirements related to trust, decentralization, transactions, resilience, and digital autonomy.

Trust

Building trust in the 3C environment requires robust security measures, including the implementation of advanced encryption techniques, secure coding practices, and automated security audits. Strong Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions are also needed, incorporating multi-factor authentication (MFA), single sign-on (SSO), and decentralized identity frameworks (e.g., DIDs). Furthermore, ensuring data integrity and transparency through the use of advanced data structures, cryptographic techniques, and comprehensive audit trails will be essential for building confidence in the system.

Decentralization of Internet Functions

Decentralization can be achieved by developing and promoting peer-to-peer (P2P) communication protocols and decentralized Domain Name System (DNS) solutions. Edge computing frameworks that enable distributed processing and federated learning will reduce latency, improve performance, and enhance privacy. Fostering interoperability through standardized APIs, protocols, and cross-platform compatibility is vital for seamless integration and communication between different decentralized services and platforms. Continued development and promotion of open standards and protocols will minimize reliance on proprietary technologies.

Transactions Across Multiple Actors

To facilitate transactions across multiple actors, interoperability standards, including common data formats and communication protocols, must be developed. Privacy-preserving technologies like zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) and homomorphic encryption should be employed to ensure secure and private multi-party transactions. Establishing decentralized governance models and ensuring regulatory compliance (e.g., GDPR, CRA) are also crucial for fostering trust and adoption.

Resilience and Digital Autonomy

Promoting digital autonomy involves developing tools and documentation to help organizations and individuals self-host open source applications, along with guidelines and tools for securing self-hosted applications. Resilience can be enhanced through high availability, scalable architectures, and elastic computing resources. A holistic approach combining security, privacy, and interoperability is needed, along with the promotion of local-first software principles to ensure data control, offline functionality, and seamless conflict resolution.

Hurdles to Closer Cooperation and Proposed Mechanisms

Closer cooperation within the European open source ecosystem faces several challenges.

Hurdles to Closer Cooperation

Large-scale, top-down projects often suffer from rigidity and inefficiencies, including inefficient resource allocation, lack of flexibility, and stifled innovation due to centralized decision-making and disjointed initiatives. Complex funding processes create significant barriers for SMEs and individual developers, who often lack dedicated resources for grant applications and face uncertain chances of success. Moreover, cultural and communication barriers, including differences in organizational culture, communication styles and a frequent lack of effective, continuous communication and dissemination activities, can hinder effective collaboration.

Mechanisms for Effective Cooperation

To overcome these hurdles, Horizon Europe should prioritize small-scale, agile funding schemes like cascade funding, which provide direct, flexible support to open source projects with lower administrative burdens. While avoiding new bureaucracy, coordinated funding mechanisms that pool resources from different stakeholders can support larger, cross-border projects, with a focus on decentralized allocation.

Promoting joint R&D initiatives involving SMEs, academia, and industry leaders, structured around common goals and inclusive participation, is also essential.

Establishing regional collaboration hubs can further facilitate interaction and knowledge sharing. Developing interoperability frameworks, technical standards, common APIs, and integration protocols will ensure seamless interaction between different open source projects.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and evaluation criteria should focus on long-term sustainability, impact, and contributions to the broader open source ecosystem.

Finally, simplifying regulatory compliance and providing legal support for collaborative projects will create a supportive environment for innovation.

Recommendations

To effectively leverage the potential of European open source communities for the 3C initiative and advance digital sovereignty, the European Commission should:

1. Prioritize and expand small-scale, agile funding mechanisms like cascade funding.
2. Establish a European Open Source Coordination Body to develop a cohesive strategy, coordinate initiatives, and provide expertise.
3. Foster a network of Open Source Program Offices (OSPOs) within public administrations to drive open source adoption and collaboration.
4. Invest in comprehensive education and training programs to address the skills gap in open source and inner source methodologies.
5. Promote the development and adoption of open standards, interoperability frameworks, and decentralized technologies.
6. Develop Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and evaluation criteria aligned with long-term sustainability and impact.
7. Streamline regulatory compliance and provide legal support for collaborative open source projects.

Conclusion

Advancing the 3C initiative and achieving Europe's digital sovereignty goals requires a fundamental shift towards a more open, collaborative, and decentralized approach to software development and procurement. By empowering European open source communities through agile funding, supportive policies, and a focus on education and training, the EU can build a resilient, innovative, and values-driven digital ecosystem.

The principles of openness, collaboration, sharing, and reuse must guide this transformation, ensuring that Europe remains at the forefront of the global digital landscape. The time for decisive action is now, and the European Commission, together with Member States, industry, academia, and the open source community, must collectively embrace these principles to build a digital future that reflects European values and serves the interests of its citizens.