The European Commission has positioned itself at the forefront of governments’ work with Open Source
Brussels, Belgium — OpenForum Europe (OFE) welcomes the European Commission’s new Open Source Software Strategy for 2020-2023. With this much anticipated Communication, the Commission positions itself at the forefront of Digital Government with a clear focus on openness as a driver for innovation, digital autonomy and a focus on citizens and users. It shows the Commission understands that the power of Open Source goes beyond code, as it enables an open paradigm, through which entire organisations can be transformed to “connect seamlessly across organisational silos and borders.”
The Commission takes a bold approach to Open Source under the theme “Think Open”. As such it “sets out a vision for encouraging and leveraging the transformative, innovative and collaborative power of open source, its principles and development practices.” The commitments made in the strategy clearly indicate that the thinking around open source has matured beyond cost-saving in IT, to understand it as a strategic enabler.
OpenForum Europe has high hopes for the Commission’s Open Source initiative, as there is a great opportunity to lead by example. For instance, it is promising to see the Commission’s commitment to starting an Open Source Programme Office to “guide, encourage and nudge change across the organisation.” This organisational construct is fundamental in shifting the working culture toward ‘Open’.
OFE is pleased to contribute to the deepening of Open Source knowledge and understanding within the European Commission through its ongoing study, in collaboration with Fraunhofer ISI. First results will soon be made available to the public at the 5 November event “Europe’s Digital Decade: Powered by Open Source”.
For more information contact:
Astor Nummelin Carlberg, Policy Director, OFE
astor@openforumeurope.org
+32497690853
About OpenForum Europe:
OpenForum Europe (OFE) is a not-for-profit, Brussels-based independent think tank which explains the merits of openness in computing to policy makers and communities across Europe. The openness principles which guide all our activities are: user centricity, competition, flexibility, sustainability, and the importance of relying on the support of a transparent and open community.