Open Source Solutions in Denmark's New Digitalisation Strategy
The Danish Government is embarking on a new initiative to explore the use of open source software in public administration.
ICTOpen Source Software+2 topics
Last update: 30/05/2024
New Open Source law in Switzerland
Switzerland has enacted the "Federal Law on the Use of Electronic Means for the Fulfilment of Governmental Tasks" (EMBAG), establishing a mandatory requirement for open source software within public sector bodies.
Digital-ready policymakingeGovernment+4 topics
Last update: 22/03/2024
The OSOR Handbook
The OSOR Team is pleased to release the initial version of the OSOR Handbook, a longstanding project aimed at providing essential information to the open-source community within the public sector. This guide is tailored for European public administrations and their officials seeking to develop or implement an open source software (OSS) strategy. Over the past 15 years, OSOR has been a valuable resource, aiding administrations in adopting a comprehensive approach to OSS. The purpose of this handbook is to serve as a guide, consolidating key solutions and insights from the collective experience…
CollaborationDigital-ready policymaking+6 topics
Last update: 16/02/2024
State of OSS in Slovakia and Bratislava
This month, OSOR published two new items spotlighting the use of open source in public administration on a central and municipal level in Slovakia. In the updated country report, OSOR sheds light on open source in Slovakia’s journey towards digital transformation. The case study on Bratislava focuses on the varied ways in which open source is used in the city’s innovation strategies. The country report and the accompanying factsheet show how Slovakia is making gradual progress in open source policy development and implementation under the lead of the Ministry of Investments, Regional…
Smart citieseGovernmentOpen Source Software
Last update: 15/12/2023
Licence compliance for open source users
As we see a rise in the use of open source across EU administrations, the question of licence compliance is increasingly important. Hermine is an open source software aimed at assisting in the formulation of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) policies. Its primary objective is to provide a structured framework for systematically analysing FOSS licences. “The Hermine project originated from the aspiration to have a fully open source toolchain for handling open source compliance. During our work, we realised that most of the required building blocks for this toolchain were already available as...
ObservatoriesSmart cities
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…
We want to extend a massive thank you to everyone who joined us on 21st November for the 15th anniversary celebration of the European Commission’s Open Source Observatory (OSOR). Your presence and active involvement made the event, "OSOR Turns 15: From Pioneering to Mainstreaming Open Technologies in Public Services,” a great success.For those of you that missed the event, don't miss the recording of the event here.At the conference, we had a blast honouring the people who’ve been driving open source in Europe's public services. The OSOR Awards ceremony was a highlight, giving a well-deserved…
LegalObservatories+3 topics
Last update: 31/10/2023
OSOR Newsletter - October 2023
In the October 2023 OSOR Newsletter you’ll find the latest news, studies, software and upcoming events on the topic of free / open source software. Enjoy the read! To receive OSOR’s newsletters, please subscribe! To see previous newsletters, see the OSOR Newsletters page.
CollaborationDigital-ready policymaking+4 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…
CollaborationDigital-ready policymaking+7 topics
Last update: 24/10/2023
Updated report on the state of open source in Bulgaria
OSOR has just published the updated report on the state of open source in Bulgaria. This report shows the recent evolution of open source policy in Bulgaria and consolidate earlier finding. Following the enactment of the 2016 amendment to the eGovernment Act, which mandated the use of open source software in public administration, the adoption of open source solutions has not been as uniform as anticipated. While some government departments have complied with these requirements, the report also highlights the challenges and complexities involved in implementing this legislation. While the…