Open Source Observatory

OSOR

The Commission adopted new rules for open source software distribution that will enable public services, companies, start-ups as well as citizens to use and further develop Commission software, facilitating also the sharing of knowledge and expertise.

On 30 November, the OSOR community participated in the webinar on enabling the sharing and reuse with open source. During the event, Kristo Vaher, Chief of Technology for the Estonian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, and Matthieu Faure, open source project manager at Adullact, discussed how open source solutions have been shared and reused at the national and local levels as well as the challenges faced by public administrations.

The Minister of Public Sector Transformation and the Civil Service of France, Amélie de Montchalin announced a new action plan for open source software in the public sector at the closing of the Paris Open Source Experience conference on 10 November. It sets up an Open Source Program Office within the public administration that will be responsible for implementing the plan and managing the state’s involvement in open source.

On the occasion of the 2019 European elections and ahead of France’s 2022 presidential elections, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched in 2019 a toolbox of open source software and open resources to fight disinformation. As of December 2021, Internet users can access software to detect fake Twitter accounts, assess the legality of political advertisement on Facebook, and use multiple further resources on good practices to counter disinformation. Further work is ongoing to develop and deploy additional online resources.

The German federal government signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate with nine of the German states to create a "sovereign workstation", built on open source software. This initiative builds on previous agreements and work within the states to spearhead such a software suite.

The European IoT Hub (EU-IoT) presents an updated overview of the ongoing growth of a sustainable and comprehensive ecosystem for the Next Generation Internet of Things initiative. This latest report reflects the EU-IoT guiding principle: that to build a vibrant and impactful European IoT ecosystem, it is necessary to map and engage all relevant research, innovation and policy initiatives; identify the core market pull needs and technology push trends; and to coordinate and align on a common ambition and plan with all key stakeholders across Europe.

Open source software is digital public infrastructure, yet it is not receiving the funding necessary to ensure the sustainability of important projects. Based on this assumption, a feasibility study funded by the German Ministry for Economy and Energy suggests a “Sovereign Tech Fund” to be created to plug funding holes in the open source software ecosystem.

On 1 December 2021, France added the European Union Public Licence (EUPL) as a "legal licence" in the Code of Relationship between the Public and the Administrations (CRPA). The new decree helps simplify the use of the license, which previously had to be justified and required a long administrative process.

On 4 February 2022, a physical and online event ‘EU Open Source Policy summit 2022' will be organised by OpenForum Europe, a non-for-profit think tank specialised on open source. This event will bring together global technology and policy leaders to discuss how open source collaboration and competition are being rethought to solve complex global challenges.

FOSS Backstage is an exciting conference dedicated to everything related to FOSS governance and open collaboration. The fourth edition of FOSS Backstage will consist of one fully virtual day followed by one in person day taking place here in Berlin. The in person day in Berlin will be live streamed for those attending virtually, and virtual attendees will be able to ask speakers questions.

Software for generation of draft legislation in XML format, enabling automatic processing and interoperability between IT systems. The code can be adapted to the specific requirements of public administrations.

Open source web application for verification of electronic signatures in various digital internationally standardised formats, used by the Austrian Electronic Signature Supervision Authority in electronic Government applications.

Single platform of the Spanish public sector for electronic identification and authentication of citizens in public services, facilitating the verification of electronic identities and signatures.

In 2021, OSOR expanded the Guidelines with additional examples of useful tools and good practices that make an open source community sustainable. The update was made in light of community feedback and users' experiences in implementing the Guidelines’ recommendations, which was shared directly with the team and during a dedicated OSOR webinar.

Curious about Canada's "open source first" approach? Learn how the legal framework and government initiatives have helped promote the use of open source at both federal and regional level.

Discover how South Africa has reaffirmed its commitment to open source in the public sector, along with the many OSS initiatives promoted by key strategic players in the country.