INFORMATICS - Open Source Is Europe’s Digital Fabric

The open source model is a natural fit for modern Europe. Across the continent, individuals, experts, and public officials join forces to advance technology for the common good. What could be more European than that? This unique mesh of vertical, horizontal, and diagonal collaboration creates a resilient fabric of technological solutions that underpins and strengthens the digitalisation of the European public sector. In this month’s OSOR newsletter, we showcase prime examples of how cross-border collaboration delivers tangible results.

Date: 27/08/2025

Germany’s healthcare system is set to adopt an open source communication platform built on openDesk, a collaboration suite developed by the German government. When people’s lives depend on the code, the software must meet the highest standards. As Alexander Smolianitski, head of open source products at ZenDiS, explains, open source provides the flexibility needed to meet these requirements. The openDesk platform has already grown beyond Germany, forging partnerships with the Netherlands and France.

Another success story comes from France’s Udata, which Luxembourg has integrated into its national open data platform. Developed jointly by France and Luxembourg, Udata recently received a major update. Luxembourg has also introduced a new alert system that notifies citizens in cases of both large and small emergencies, whether traffic disruptions or floods.

In Poland, the national citizen app mObywatel has integrated an open source AI assistant based on the country’s own large language model, PLLuM, developed with funding from the Ministry of Digital Affairs. The code and models are being progressively opened to public administrations, academic institutions, and developers across Europe, setting another example for how open source can drive shared innovation.

This month, we published new country reports that highlight the different approaches countries take to reach the same goal. In Portugal, since 2020, open source has been a cornerstone of efforts to strengthen public digital infrastructure through national digitalisation strategies. In Slovenia, while state-level developments are still emerging, NGOs are actively driving the country’s open source initiatives forward.

Public administrators and IT infrastructure agencies at all levels face the same challenge: how to fund open source solutions sustainably. To address this universal and ongoing question, we have prepared a new OSOR page offering guidance on existing financing models and support mechanisms for your projects.

In the same vein, this autumn we will launch a series of events to provide more learning opportunities and foster connections with your European peers. You can find the full calendar of autumn OSOR events here. The first online webinar will focus on open source in local governments. We hope to see you there.

Best regards,

The OSOR Team