Thanks to the Free Software Foundation Europe, I provided public feedback (PDF) to the Digital Europe Programme Consultation in time on behalf of the Virtual Assembly from France. Discussions here and here. Source URL.
Challenges faced by organisations
As citizens of the EU, we aspire to drive and take ownership of innovation and transformation with Free of Open Source Software. However, funding is lacking. Often, organizations allocate their resources to pay for innovations from non-EU tech companies, which leverage commercial tactics and dominant market positions to impose their solutions, overshadowing alternatives.
To harness the potential of free and open-source software—defined as independent and freely usable rather than merely free of charge—we require funding and incentives to create network effects. We need to establish pathways for organizations to access guidance, support, and funding, enabling the development of high-quality software that is independent of major tech firms.
What other areas the programme could address
Our existing communication technologies are limited by past architectural decisions. Currently, all innovation is dependent on the Internet and the Web, which imposes restrictions that hinder the European Union's aspirations for sovereignty, security, and cooperative free markets.
Creating alternatives necessitates the involvement of skilled and independent creators of free and open-source software. These innovators share a common vision and are working to establish new technological foundations that will enable the emergence of new systems. No single organization can achieve this alone. It is essential for society as a whole to support research and development efforts to foster a future characterized by greater independence and cutting-edge solutions to address our challenges.
Free and open-source software forms the foundation of much of today’s economic progress. We must prioritize its development, increase its usage, and provide the necessary funding to support it.
Technologies the programme does not address
Often, critical technologies are neither visible nor glamorous. The Internet serves as the backbone for all significant innovations of this century, influencing developments in ways that can be overlooked or underestimated. Yet, it fundamentally shapes how power and ownership are established within technologies that profoundly impact citizens' lives.
Free and open-source software inspires highly skilled engineers and engaged citizens aiming to foster sovereignty, security, and autonomy for the EU population through independent and freely available software. To achieve this, they require increased funding and political support to effectively utilize and put these tools to the test in real-world scenarios.
Close the gap between academic research and commercial deployment
Innovative technologies requires small but diverse attempts to find good recipes. However it seems today that funding is more directed towards large companies with classic commercial deployment. We understand this strategy because it is safe. However we think there is a high potential for a small fraction of this funding to quickly and easily foster smaller projects and initiative with high risks so that a few of them find the right momentum and scale to something real. Like how the startup investment model works, we may inspire and take more small risks and move faster.
There is a prevailing perception that small organizations require the right networks to access opportunities. We can enhance diversity by expanding funding access to a broader population and implementing new processes that invite more individuals to join the network, drawing inspiration from initiatives like the Next Generation Internet.
Simplify implementation of the programme
Organizations like Next Generation Internet play a crucial role by enabling numerous individuals and small teams to propose projects in free and open-source software. The funding process is relatively swift and efficient. Members of our Virtual Assembly have successfully leveraged this support to develop innovative internet technologies that align well with EU objectives.
Overall, we believe that funding intermediary organizations with strong expertise is essential. They can invest in smaller initiatives, helping them grow and potentially merge into larger projects. Specifically, we advocate for increased funding for organizations like Next Generation Internet (NGI) to effectively tackle the challenges facing the internet today.
Unexploited potentiel for synergies
While private companies developing proprietary assets may move quickly with funding, they often hinder collaboration with other stakeholders. In contrast, funding for free and open-source software supports multiple parties simultaneously, promoting synergy and collective progress.
The benefits of free and open-source software scale exceptionally well. By investing in it just once, anyone can leverage that value to foster greater innovation. It makes strategic sense to prioritize funding in this area to facilitate cascading innovation and accelerate iteration.