Some "assume you can divide Open Source neatly into European and not European. This is not the case", highlights Felix.
Discussion
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"In 2025 alone, EU-based software projects on GitHub received millions of contributions from abroad. So what makes Open Source European is not a passport or a border, what makes it European is that it is used in Europe and trusted in Europe."
"Open Source is not a fortress, it is a bridge, and the benefits flow in both directions"
Open Source maintenance is "unseen unglamorous and completely indispensable" says Felix: we should treat Open Source as critical infrastructure!
I took a long break but I'm back for my favourite panel of the day, discussing Public Procurement! OSI recently shared feedback on the revision of the EU's public procurement rules, and met with the Commission to discuss It. Glad to hear some of the points we raised being discussed in the panel!
As a bonus, the amazing @sraible is on the panel!
(If you don't know Sebastian and his work, definitely give him a follow!)
@sraible says "Procurement is the best lever we have to increase buy-in and knowledge of [open source solutions]"
I believe it is also the best route towards sustainable financing!
An important point is now being raised by Mario Campolargo: the criteria for procurement are broken: we only care about the initial price, but the costs stack up later. Interoperability should be a criteria in procurement!
Sebastian agrees: "I sympathise with public authorities who are trying to make every penny count! Open Source shouldn't necessarily be cheaper because when you buy Open Source, you get to own it!"