OSOR is a place where the Free and Open Source software community can come together to publish news, find out about events, find relevant open source software solutions and read about the use of Free...
European PoliciesOpen Source SoftwareDigital innovation
Last update: 07/06/2024
OSOR and Community Events
This page contains information about: events organised by OSOR on the use and development of open source software, open source policies in Europe, and sustainability of open source communities in the...
New collaboration between Commit Global and Germany's Ministry
The "Digital Infrastructure for Humanitarian Assistance" project was officially launched at the German Embassy in Bucharest, bolstered by a €1.35 million commitment from Germany's Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
CollaborationDigital-ready policymaking+4 topics
Last update: 05/06/2024
Overview of EU legislation on FOSS
Source texts and excerpts of recent files which have given a definition of free and open source software
European PoliciesOpen Source Software
Last update: 29/02/2024
The Interoperable Europe Act and the open source community
The European Parliament's plenary has adopted the Interoperable Europe Act, securing overwhelming support, with 524 out of 639 Members voting in favour during the first reading. The legislation, aimed at bolstering cross-border interoperability in digital public services, received broad backing from major political factions.Expected to become European law after a single reading, the Act targets improved data exchange between EU Member States, addressing challenges in the current landscape. Ivars Ijabs, the designated rapporteur on the Act, highlighted the necessity for swift cross-border…
European PoliciesLegal+4 topics
Last update: 18/01/2024
Perspectives and Visions of Open Source Actors
A recent paper titled: “Open Source and Free Software: Perspectives and Visions of Open Source Actors” (in French) has been published by the OpenStudio group. Compiling 15 interviews, and providing an analysis of them, this white paper gives an overview of various actors of the French open source community. OpenStudio, a digital services company engaged in open source and a member of OW2 since 2023, has sought to contribute in its own way by publishing a white paper. The arguments and numerous testimonials in this white paper, complementary to other high-quality works on the subject, aim to…
European PoliciesLegal+3 topics
Last update: 18/12/2023
Use of open source in German administrations
The recently published Bitkom Open Source Monitor 2023 highlights the surge in the adoption of open source software (OSS) across various sectors in Germany, particularly within public administration. The study, sponsored by PwC Germany and meticulously designed by industry experts, provides comprehensive insights into the trends and developments surrounding OSS in Germany.One of the pivotal revelations of the study is the substantial increase in the integration of OSS within public administration. As per the survey findings, a notable 59 percent of the surveyed public authorities are actively…
OSOR has just published the first versions of reports on the state of open source in Mexico and China. These reports offer a comprehensive overview of each country’s use and policies on open source software as of 2023. They delve into the evolution of policies in recent years and provide various examples of open source usage in public administration specific to each nation.In these reports, you will discover the key governmental bodies actively involved in open source initiatives. In Mexico, the reports highlight the roles of the National Digital Strategy Coordinator and the Public research…
In a decisive move underscoring their commitment to critical areas, the European Parliament (EP) and the Council formally ratified the EU's 2024 budget, marking a significant milestone in addressing pressing global challenges while bolstering support for research initiatives, youth empowerment, and combating external adversities.EP President Roberta Metsola signed the 2024 EU budget into law on 22 November, symbolising the culmination of rigorous discussions and collaborative efforts within the Strasbourg hemicycle. This budget, amounting to €189.4 billion in commitments, and payments set at…
The Dutch government, in October, published its agenda for Digital Open Strategic Autonomy (DOSA) alongside a letter to the House of Representatives from the Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate. The policy framework aims to address strategic dependencies in the digital sector while promoting open strategic autonomy.One of the key areas of emphasis within this framework is investments in open source software and the open source ecosystem. By investing in open source solutions, the Netherlands seeks to reduce its reliance on proprietary software and strengthen its digital autonomy. There…
OSOR Community Award - the winner has been announced!
OSOR Community Award voting has concluded, and we're delighted to announce that the winner is BlueHats, the French public sector open source community initiative! Our congratulations to BlueHats for securing the OSOR Community Award with 18% of the total votes. About the winner BlueHats was established in France in 2018 to connect public servants skilled in open source software who were unaware of their colleagues with similar expertise. Today, BlueHats has grown into a vibrant community of over 2,000 public servants and developers promoting open source in the public sector. They engage in…
European PoliciesObservatories+2 topics
Last update: 25/10/2023
Updated report on the state of open source in the Netherlands
OSOR has just published the updated report on the state of open source in the Netherlands. This report shows the recent evolution of open source policy in the Netherlands and portray the strong evolution of open source implementation at government level. The Netherlands has been actively promoting open source software (OSS) adoption within its government and public administration. This initiative is led by the Ministry of Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK). The BZK has conducted in-depth studies and reports to assess the feasibility of implementing an "open unless" policy, which mandates…