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...
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: 29/01/2024
New partnerships for the french OSPO
The OSPO of the French government’s Interministerial Digital Directorate, DINUM, has announced a partnership with “DesCodeuses”. This continues DINUM’s approach to working with the open source community through formal partnerships. In particular, this partnership is expected to be a first step for longer-term collaboration between DINUM and DesCodeuses (Women Who Code) to facilitate participation of women in software development projects.Bastien Guerry from DINUM’s Free Software Mission, when asked about how this helped their work towards external actors, commented:“The creation of the Free…
Digital-ready policymakingeInclusion+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…
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
Dutch Digital Open Strategic Autonomy
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…
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: 20/10/2023
New report discusses OS supply chain challenges, opportunities
Last week, Sonatype presented their annual Report on the State of the Software Supply Chain which looked at the patterns of open source (OS) maintenance, adoption and consumption. Specifically, it investigated the growth of the software supply chain, the use of software bill of materials (SBOM), the rise of OS regulations, as well as the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) by developers. The possibility to do this type of third-party scrutiny on the source code and supply chain is one of the key societal benefits of open source. Any issues discovered could also exist…
Business and competitionDigital-ready policymaking+4 topics
Last update: 18/10/2023
Linux Foundation publishes a report on state of OS in Europe
Linux Foundation (LF) published the European edition of its Global Spotlight 2023 Survey, “Exploring the State of European Open Source Innovation, Opportunities, and Challenges.” The LF report brings interesting insights into the state of open source program offices (OSPOs) in Europe. About half of the respondents admitted that their organisation lacks an OSPO, and for end-user organisations (defined as businesses using IT products and services to support their deliverables), only one in three has the guiding principles and practices for open source adoption in place. While the business value…