Digital Commons Towards Digital Sovereignty in Europe

On January 28th, the NGI Commons Consortium launched a new series of webinars. As the project enters its second year of existence, NGI Commons’ communication and dissemination efforts continue to expand their reach to broader audiences.

Introduction

The rise of Digital Commons has transformed the landscape of technology, creating a complex and intertwined stack of shared technological resources. These commons serve as the foundational layer for tech companies, governments, industries, and societies at large. Open Source Software (OSS) plays a central role in this shift, with 96% of commercial code incorporating OSS, and 76% of all code being open source (OSSRA). OSS is not merely an optional tool but the backbone of digital systems in contemporary society. However, while major Big Tech companies have embraced Digital Commons, European industries and governments have yet to fully integrate these resources as strategic instruments for growth and innovation.

The Role of Digital Commons and Big Tech Digital Commons are largely supported by major Big Tech companies, who view them as essential tools for sharing costs and accelerating innovation. However, the advantages of Digital Commons extend beyond these operational benefits. They also offer opportunities for these corporations to influence regulatory frameworks and set industry standards. By shaping the direction of OSS, these companies help define the rules of the digital economy, ensuring their continued dominance. For these reasons, Digital Commons are crucial not just for innovation, but for shaping the regulatory environment that governs technology on a global scale.

The European Gap In contrast to the proactive stance taken by Big Tech, European industries and governments have yet to embrace Digital Commons in a cohesive and strategic manner. Despite Europe’s vast pool of talent and expertise, there remains a gap in terms of how these assets are leveraged. The challenge lies not in the lack of technical capability but in the absence of a coherent and actionable strategy to utilise these resources effectively. Europe’s approach to Digital Commons needs to evolve through collaboration with industry leaders across the continent. Only with a unified strategy can Europe begin to consolidate its existing digital assets and harness their potential for economic and technological advancement.

Next Generation Internet (NGI) Initiative Dr. Monique Calisti introduced the origins of the Next Generation Internet (NGI) initiative, which has engaged over 1,500 innovators in an effort to bring coherence to a fragmented digital innovation landscape. NGI’s goal is to bridge the gap between lone entrepreneurs, open source communities, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and critical actors. At the heart of NGI is the notion of trust. Trust is fundamental to every interaction in the digital realm, and the initiative aims to instill this value throughout its activities. NGI’s work is focused on ensuring that the future of the internet aligns with core principles of transparency, inclusivity, and security, providing a more sustainable and equitable digital future.

The EuroStack

Cristina Caffarra presented the #EuroStack initiative, which aims to reduce Europe’s dependency on non-European providers for services essential to citizens, businesses, and institutions. The project’s goals are multifaceted: enhancing security, building redundancy and resilience, stimulating innovation, and ultimately boosting Europe’s digital competitiveness. By investing in European digital infrastructure, #EuroStack seeks to create a framework where European sovereignty over its digital future is prioritised. A critical component of this initiative is the development of European governance frameworks, which can ensure that the region’s digital assets are used in ways that align with European values and interests.

Governance Models for Digital Commons

Sophie Bloemen from the Commons Network presented various governance models for digital goods that prioritise collaboration over profit-driven models. These models aim to enhance sovereignty by creating shared resources governed in a way that encourages collective participation, rather than allowing a few entities to control essential infrastructure. Bloemen’s insights are vital in framing the discussion around how Europe can foster collaboration in managing Digital Commons while ensuring that the digital ecosystem remains equitable and accessible to all.

European Digital Commons Initiatives

Valérian Guillier from the CNRS discussed ongoing European initiatives that contribute to the development of Digital Commons, spanning the entire technology stack. From hardware to software and data. These initiatives represent Europe’s effort to establish a decentralised, open source framework that fosters innovation and resilience across various sectors. The examples provided by Guillier underscore the potential for European-led projects to create a more sustainable, fair, and innovative digital ecosystem, rooted in open standards and collaborative governance.

Challenges and Infrastructure Needs

Mirko Boehm from the Linux Foundation addressed the deployment challenges faced by Digital Commons initiatives in Europe. One of the primary concerns is the lack of a robust and coordinated infrastructure across the EU. For these initiatives to be successfully implemented and scaled, a more unified and well-supported infrastructure is necessary. Boehm’s comments underscore the importance of investment in both technological infrastructure and collaborative frameworks to ensure that Digital Commons projects can thrive in Europe’s competitive and rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Conclusion

Digital Commons are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of technology, but Europe must act decisively to harness their full potential. The region has the talent and the technical expertise needed to succeed, but a coordinated, actionable strategy is required to turn these assets into strategic advantages. Initiatives like NGI, #EuroStack, and the governance models proposed by Commons Network represent important steps in the right direction. However, the key to Europe’s success in this space lies in building a robust, collaborative ecosystem that can support Digital Commons initiatives and ensure their scalability. Only then can Europe fully capitalise on its digital assets and achieve a position of leadership in the global digital economy.

Watch the full webinar here below or on our PeerTube channel!