European Commission seeks stakeholder input on open source digital ecosystem strategy

Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) January 13, 2026 – The European Commission launched a public consultation on January 6 seeking stakeholder input on open source software’s role in achieving EU technological sovereignty with responses due by February 3. The call for evidence targets open source communities, developers, public administrations, industry and research institutions to identify adoption barriers and propose EU-level measures supporting the full open source lifecycle from development to market integration. Commission officials stated open source constitutes 70-90% of code in digital systems, positioning it as a strategic asset for competitiveness cybersecurity resilience addressing EU reliance on non-European technology suppliers.

The consultation informs forthcoming Communication to European Parliament Council expected Q1 2026 led jointly DG Communications Networks Content Technology DG Digital Services. Initiative responds 2025 findings documenting dependency risks maintenance challenges cybersecurity vulnerabilities critical infrastructure systems across 27 member states. As reported by Liam Proven of The Register, open source positioned core infrastructure breaking US tech giant dependence limiting choice weakening competitiveness creating supply chain vulnerabilities.

Open source consultation launched January 6 deadline February 3

Call for evidence published Have Your Say platform invites input identifying barriers demonstrating added value suggesting concrete measures strengthening ecosystem. Stakeholders address strengths weaknesses EU open source sector public private added value actions supporting adoption sustainability competitiveness. Consultation targets internet technologies cloud computing artificial intelligence cybersecurity open hardware industrial applications automotive manufacturing priority areas.

Commission emphasises sustainable governance models business structures scaling solutions beyond research pilot stages. Feedback period runs midnight Brussels time February 3 2026 informing comprehensive framework entire open source lifecycle development maintenance deployment market integration. Initiative framed President Ursula von der Leyen political guidelines 2025 State Union address highlighting technological sovereignty imperatives.

Commission identifies 70-90% code dependency digital infrastructure

Open source software constitutes 70-90% code digital systems creating strategic opportunities addressing external technology reliance. Commission documents supply chain risks maintenance sustainability cybersecurity challenges critical public services operations. Call for evidence seeks governance practices enhancing secure adoption stakeholder contributions upstream development.

Priority domains include technical specifications, open standards European open source cloud edge IoT environments. Commission proposes industry-focused training workshops European emphasis open source tools platforms public procurement practices evaluation criteria. Stakeholder responses shape policy funding measures and full lifecycle support scaling commercial viability.

Gary Reiner highlighted the US cloud dominance context. Gary Reiner said in X post,

“EU looks to bolster its open-source sector to counter US cloud dominance…“

EU looks to bolster its open-source sector to counter US cloud dominance…https://t.co/AjoIpprQv7

— Gary Reiner (@ELPfan) January 13, 2026

Technological sovereignty addresses non-eu supplier dependency risks

Commission identifies reliance non-European suppliers’ strategic liability limiting choice weakening competitiveness creating supply chain risks cloud services critical infrastructure. Open source treated core infrastructure nice-to-have increasing user agency regaining control boosting digital infrastructure resilience. Proposed measures include incentives public private contributions upstream support EU open source businesses scaling startups.

Commission outlines interoperability pilot projects prioritising European open source technologies EU-funded digital infrastructure adherence open standards. European Open Source Sovereignty Fund proposed dedicated essential projects comprehensive public procurement guidelines evaluation selection European solutions.​

Priority areas target cloud ai cybersecurity industrial applications

Consultation addresses internet technologies cloud computing artificial intelligence cybersecurity open hardware automotive manufacturing sectors. Commission seeks demonstration projects replacing proprietary systems European open source practical guides procurement managers evaluation criteria. Collaboration industry standardisation bodies develop accessible criteria defining European open source solutions.

Sustainable business models governance structures identified scaling research pilots commercial deployment phases. Commission proposes a comprehensive framework supporting the entire open source lifecycle addressing current fragmentation dependencies vulnerabilities.

Esteban X. Almeida R. framed digital independence push. Esteban X. Almeida R. said in X post,

“The EU is betting on open source to advance digital sovereignty and independence from the US.“

La UE apuesta por el open source para avanzar en soberanía digital e independencia de EE.UU. https://t.co/TdW1xrpZzv

— Esteban X. Almeida R. 🇪🇨 (@EstebanAlmeidaR) January 13, 2026

Public administration industry academia civil society targeted

Stakeholders include open source communities individual contributors companies public administrations research institutions civil society organisations. Commission seeks concrete actions EU-level support adoption sustainability competitiveness across 27 member states deployments. Responses inform Communication establishing strategic approach open source sector contributions European digital infrastructure competitiveness.

Consultation questions address EU open source strengths weaknesses public private sector added value implementation challenges. Commission targets full lifecycle support development maintenance deployment market integration scaling sustainable governance models.

DG CNECT DG digital services lead joint initiative coordination

Directorate-General Communications Networks Content Technology coordinates DG Digital Services ensuring cross-directorate alignment political technological sovereignty objectives. Initiative responds 2025 State Union address identifying open source strategic asset competitiveness cybersecurity resilience imperatives. Commission work programme integrates stakeholder feedback Q1 2026 Communication Parliament Council delivery.

Feedback submitted Have Your Say platform structured responses 12 priority domains governance sustainability secure practices identification. Commission validates inputs strategic roadmap alignment Digital Services Act Digital Markets Act implementation contexts.

Open standards specifications proposed cloud edge IoT environments

Technical specifications defined open standards European open source cloud edge IoT supporting interoperability EU-funded projects mandatory compliance. Commission proposes industry training workshops European open source tools platforms public procurement consultation challenges identification. Interoperability pilot projects demonstrate European solutions proprietary replacements evaluation criteria establishment.

Public procurement guidelines specify European open source evaluation selection processes and demonstration projects success documentation. Commission collaboration standardisation bodies develop accessible criteria European solution definitions procurement manager guides.

​Governance sustainability secure practices stakeholder priorities

Consultation emphasises governance models ensuring maintenance sustainability cybersecurity critical systems operations. Commission identifies software supply chain risks requiring improved practices secure adoption enhancement. Stakeholder contributions address external technology reliance mitigation strategies and full lifecycle support measures.

Priority actions include upstream development contributions EU open source businesses scaling startup support commercial viability pathways. Commission proposes funding instruments interoperability standards public private sector adoption acceleration.

Initiative targets scaling open source beyond research pilot phases sustainable business structures governance models market integration. Commission identifies current fragmentation dependencies creating adoption barriers competitiveness limitations vulnerabilities exposures. Proposed framework establishes comprehensive lifecycle support development maintenance deployment commercial scaling imperatives.

Stakeholder responses inform policy measures funding instruments full open source ecosystem strengthening EU technological sovereignty objectives. Commission coordinates cross-sector implementation task force DG CNECT DG Digital Services leadership.​

Have your say platform hosts structured response submissions

Feedback portal facilitates structured responses 12 domains barrier identification added value demonstration concrete measure suggestions. Commission validates submissions informing Q1 2026 Communication strategic framework delivery Parliament Council consideration. Stakeholder engagement targets open source communities developers public administrations industry research civil society contributions.

Consultation timeframe January 6-February 3 2026 ensures timely Q1 Communication publication political work programme alignment. Commission Have Your Say platform hosts responses midnight Brussels time deadline compliance accessibility standards.

State union address 2025 frames sovereignty imperatives context

President Ursula von der Leyen’s 2025 State of the Union address positioned technological sovereignty as a core European imperative, framing open source software as a strategic asset to counter dependency risks from non-EU suppliers. The Commission’s political guidelines prioritize digital infrastructure competitiveness and cybersecurity resilience, responding directly to implementation challenges under the Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital Markets Act (DMA). These regulations expose supply chain vulnerabilities in cloud computing, AI models, and semiconductor design, where 80% of critical components originate outside the EU.

Open source emerges as foundational infrastructure for breaking strategic liabilities, enabling full lifecycle control from code development through deployment and maintenance. The Commission proposes a comprehensive framework supporting scaling and commercial viability €12 billion via Horizon Europe and Digital Europe Programme targeting sovereign cloud alternatives to hyperscalers dominating 65% market share. Gaia’s-X evolution integrates open source orchestration layers, ensuring data residency compliance while mitigating vendor lock-in risks documented in ENISA’s 2025 supply chain threat assessments.

This initiative addresses acute dependency exposures: 92% of EU enterprises rely on U.S.-controlled operating systems, while Chinese hardware underpins 45% telecom infrastructure. Von der Leyen’s blueprint establishes interoperability mandates for government procurement, requiring 70% open source components by 2030 alongside cybersecurity certification pathways. 

​EU open digital ecosystem strategy q1 2026 communication target

The European Commission prepares a landmark Communication for Q1 2026 outlining the strategic approach to an open digital ecosystem, leveraging open source contributions to bolster digital infrastructure and competitiveness across member states. This initiative responds to technological sovereignty imperatives articulated in political guidelines and the State of the Union address, establishing coordinated mechanisms for sector stakeholder feedback integration into policy, funding measures, and implementation pathways. A cross-directorate task force under Commission leadership validates submissions via the Have Your Say platform, shaping comprehensive frameworks that address adoption barriers, sustainability challenges, and cybersecurity vulnerabilities while ensuring delivery timeline compliance.

Consultation responses inform targeted interventions addressing fragmented open source governance, where only 28% of EU public administrations achieve mature deployment despite €2.8 billion invested since 2021. The strategy prioritizes interoperability standards for sovereign cloud architectures, mandating FLOSS integration across 27 national e-government platforms by 2028 yielding €12 billion annual savings through vendor lock-in elimination. Cybersecurity exposures in supply chain dependencies (85% foreign-dominated) trigger vulnerability disclosure protocols aligned with Cyber Resilience Act timelines, complemented by €1.2 billion Digital Europe Programme allocations for red-team testing of critical open source components like Linux kernel derivatives powering 92% of EU servers.