2025-10-08 –, Belvedere I/ Security, Compliance & the Law
Should governments pay for the maintenance of open source software? If so, how should they do it — and how much is enough?
This talk will present the findings of a forthcoming feasibility study conducted by OpenForum Europe, together with Fraunhofer ISI and Professor Thomas Streinz of the European University Institute, on the potential design and impact of an EU Sovereign Tech Fund. The study provides a concrete economic and legal foundation for a structured European investment mechanism in open source software — one that could strengthen cybersecurity, reduce systemic risk, and advance digital sovereignty.
Beyond the technical findings, the presentation will reflect on the policy process itself: what it means to work with governments on digital infrastructure questions, and how the framing of open source as infrastructure is gaining traction in European policymaking. Drawing on OFE’s experience across institutions and Member States, this talk will offer insight into both the substance and the politics of public investment in open digital infrastructure.
Should governments pay for the maintenance of open source software? If so, how should such support be structured — and how much is enough?
These questions are increasingly central to digital policy debates across Europe, as governments confront the systemic importance of open source software to their cybersecurity, industrial competitiveness, and digital sovereignty. This talk will present the findings of a feasibility study currently being finalised by OpenForum Europe, in collaboration with Fraunhofer ISI and Professor Thomas Streinz of the European University Institute, on the potential establishment of an EU Sovereign Tech Fund.
Modelled on Germany’s Sovereign Tech Fund, the proposed EU-level instrument would provide structured and sustained public investment in the security and maintenance of critical open source software components. The study explores two key dimensions: the economic rationale for such a fund, including expected returns and strategic value; and the legal feasibility of establishing it within the EU’s existing funding and governance framework. Together, the findings offer a concrete response to calls for stronger European action to mitigate digital infrastructure risk and reduce dependencies on a small number of technology providers.
But beyond the technical conclusions, the talk will also examine the political and institutional dynamics involved in shaping open source policy. Drawing on OFE’s experience engaging with national and EU-level actors, the presentation will reflect on how governments are beginning to frame open source as a form of digital infrastructure — akin to roads, bridges or energy grids — and the implications this has for public responsibility, funding models, and regulatory alignment.
At a time when open source maintainers face rising expectations but limited support, and when major policy initiatives like the Cyber Resilience Act increase security demands across the software ecosystem, there is an urgent need to develop coherent public approaches to the governance of shared digital resources. This talk will argue that a European response is both possible and necessary — and will outline one path forward.
Astor Nummelin Carlberg is OFE’s Executive Director, responsible for the overall vision, activities of the organisation and policy development. He has extensive experience of European policy making processes, communications and network-building. Astor leads conversations on Europe’s digital challenges and the role of open technologies in achieving its full potential. He sits on the board of APELL, the European Open Source Business Association.
Nicholas ('Nick‘) Gates is a Senior Policy Advisor at OFE, where he leads OFE’s research work and works on the EU-funded projects NGI Commons and OSAwards.eu, as well as related research, policy, and advocacy efforts. He specialises in open source funding, open source in the public sector, and open source governance and collaboration dynamics.
Nick has significant experience in digital government policy and research globally, particularly around open source, public goods, public financial management, and digital service delivery. Nick enjoys supporting development partners, governments, and international organisations to deliver on their research, advocacy and convening agendas by using applied research to support policy development around best practices in the use of technology for public good, particularly in the public sector.
Prior to joining OFE, Nick helped launch the Digital Public Finance Hub, a new learning initiative around the digital transformation of public finance, as a consultant at Public Digital. He began his career working on research, policy, and advocacy at the Digital Impact Alliance — conducting research on topics including national digital transformation processes, open-source in government, and digital transformation policy — and was a Fellow at the Portulans Institute.
Nick holds an undergraduate dual degree from the University of Massachusetts Lowell in Political Science and History, and graduated with an MSc in Global Development from the University of Copenhagen in 2018.