The European Commission has initiated a comprehensive consultation on its open source strategy as part of a broader effort to reduce the European Union’s reliance on non-EU technology companies. Recognizing the intrinsic role of open source software—on which 70-90% of modern software is built—the initiative aims to transition European focus from research and experimental projects to scaling and deploying open source solutions across critical technology areas, including cloud computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and industrial software.
The European Open Digital Ecosystem Strategy seeks to involve diverse stakeholders by inviting a call for evidence to understand the strengths and weaknesses within the EU’s open source sector. The consultation, scheduled to run until February 3, 2026, will explore barriers to adoption, consider concrete measures for support, identify priority technology areas, and pinpoint sectors where open source could boost competitiveness. This discussion also examines community concerns over the existing tension between traditional open-source funding models and the EU’s bureaucratic processes.
Brussels plans to direct efforts towards creating sustainable funding models, improving governance frameworks, and establishing pathways to commercial viability for open source developers and businesses. Amid calls for support, the European Commission will deliberate over providing direct project funding or instituting structured service contracts to enhance accountability and transparency.
Additionally, the proposal highlights the need to overcome hurdles in public procurement, scalability, and supply chain security. It advocates for supporting developer communities and fostering new business models that can serve as viable alternatives to proprietary platforms, thereby enhancing European competitiveness and reducing technological dependency on US tech giants.

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The European Commission has launched a consultation on its open source strategy to reduce EU dependence on non-EU tech companies. Running until February 2026, the initiative focuses on scaling open source solutions in cloud computing, AI, cybersecurity, and industrial software. The strategy aims to create sustainable funding models, improve governance frameworks, and establish commercial pathways for open source developers while addressing barriers in public procurement, scalability, and supply chain security.

European Commission's Open Source Strategy Aims to Reduce Dependency on Big Tech