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: 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…
France officials to use an open source alternative: Olvid
The French Prime Minister instructed government officials to uninstall popular messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal from their mobile devices due to security vulnerabilities. This directive came through a circular dated November 22nd. Instead, officials are mandated to switch to Olvid, a French-developed OS messaging application. The decision to promote Olvid is a significant boost for the app, created by cybersecurity experts Thomas Baignères and Matthieu Finiasz.Olvid operates similarly to other messaging apps in terms of its basic functionalities, allowing users to create…
LegalObservatories+3 topics
Last update: 01/12/2023
New reports on China and Mexico
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: 15/11/2023
Slovenia’s Na-prostem.si project
Slovenia’s Na-prostem.si project - ”FOSS for the digital inclusion of NGOs and users”:Na-prostem.si was created in 2022 to facilitate an autonomous digital transformation for non-governmental/voluntary organisations and enhance the digital inclusion and proficiency of their users. Co-funded by the Ministry of Public Administration, the two-year project budget is 200,000.00 EUR. It was created with two primary objectives:The development of the platform https://www.na-prostem.si/, supporting the efficient operation of non-governmental organisations in the digital sphere.The provision of training...
Digital-ready policymakingObservatories+3 topics
Last update: 13/11/2023
Aleph Alpha's OS LLM might be the answer to US AI dominance
Aleph Alpha, a Heidelberg-based startup focused on open source large language models (LLM), has raised €486 million in its Series B financing round. Minister for Economic Affairs Robert Habeck called the startup an “incredible success story.” Indeed, this was one of Europe’s largest AI rounds ever – Mistral AI, the French startup which also relies on open source for its model made a splash this June when it raised €105 million in its seed funding round. Aleph Alpha’s funding round was led by Innovation Park Artificial Intelligence (Ipai), Bosch Ventures and companies operating under the…
Business and competitionTools+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…