digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu
DIGIBYTE
Publication 12 January 2026
The European Commission has launched a call for evidence on the upcoming European Open Digital Ecosystem Strategy - an initiative that will support EU ambitions to secure technological sovereignty.
The European Commission has launched a call for evidence on the upcoming European Open Digital Ecosystem Strategy - an initiative that will support EU ambitions to secure technological sovereignty.
A person in front of a laptop, with icons related to data analysis and open-source data hovering above.
GettyImages © Khanchit Khirisutchalual
Boosting European technological sovereignty is a key priority for the Commission with the open source sector considered particularly important to European ambitions. The Commission plans to set out a strategic approach to the open source sector in the EU and present a review of the 2020-2023 open source software strategy.
While across the EU there are thriving communities of open source developers whose work is aligned with EU digital rights and principles, European governments and companies are heavily dependent on non-EU digital technologies, hampering choice, competitiveness and creating challenges for cybersecurity. Open source software underpins 70-90% of all code in the digital economy, yet of the value generated by European open-source communities flows outside the EU, often benefiting tech giants elsewhere. With the importance of open source only growing, such as in key sectors such as high-performance computing and edge computing, a strategic approach is critical.
However, EU stakeholders face significant barriers including limited access to growth capital, and essential infrastructure. Supporting communities through research programmes alone has proven insufficient for successful scaling of open source solutions.
The forthcoming strategy will complement the forthcoming Cloud and AI Development Act and builds on successful EU initiatives such as the Next Generation Internet programme and the recently launched Digital Commons European Digital Infrastructure Consortium (EDIC).
The Commission invites input from open source communities, developers, companies, public administrations, industry, and research institutions. Stakeholders are specifically asked to identify barriers to open source adoption, demonstrate the added value of open source and share suggestions for concrete EU level measures to strengthen the ecosystem.
The final strategy, expected in Q1 2026, will establish a comprehensive framework supporting the entire open source lifecycle from development to market integration.
The consultation will close on 3 February 2026. Feedback can be submitted on the Commission Have Your Say platform.
The European Commission is making available €145.5 million to empower small and medium-sized enterprises and public administrations in deploying cybersecurity solutions and adopting the results of cybersecurity research.
For this purpose, the European Cybersecurity Competence has launched two calls for proposals.
The first call is part of the Digital Europe Programme, with a budget of €55 million. €30 million of this amount will enhance the cybersecurity of hospitals and healthcare providers, helping them detect, monitor, and respond to cyber threats, particularly ransomware. This will boost the resilience of the European healthcare system, especially in the current geopolitical context, aligning with the EU action plan on cybersecurity in hospitals and healthcare.
The second call, under Horizon Europe Programme, has a budget of around €90.5 million. It will support the use and development of generative AI for cybersecurity applications, new advanced tools and processes for operational cybersecurity, and privacy-enhancing technologies as well as post-quantum cryptography.
The deadline for applications to the first call is 7 October, and for the second, it is 12 November. Both calls for proposals are managed by the European Cybersecurity Competence. The eligibility criteria and all relevant call documents are available on the Funding and Tenders portal.
Related topics
Cybersecurity Artificial intelligence Digital Europe Programme Funding for Digital Horizon Europe
The Commission has presented a proposal to ensure an effective and efficient response to large-scale cyber incidents.
EU Member States, with the support of the European Commission and ENISA, the EU Agency for Cybersecurity, published the first report on the cybersecurity and resilience of Europe’s telecommunications and electricity sectors.
La loi sur l’IA est le tout premier cadre juridique en matière d’IA, qui traite des risques liés à l’IA et positionne l’Europe pour qu’elle joue un rôle de premier plan à l’échelle mondiale.
