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June 19 – June 20
The Next Generation Internet (NGI) initiative continues to evolve, building on past successes while addressing new challenges in Europe’s digital landscape. As emerging technologies reshape the way we interact online, NGI remains committed to ensuring that the Internet of the future is open, inclusive, trustworthy, and sustainable.
To advance this vision, the NGI Forum 2025 will serve as a key platform to bring together innovators, policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders. The Forum will provide an opportunity to reflect on major developments in digital sovereignty, open internet infrastructure, and digital commons, while fostering collaboration between diverse stakeholders shaping Europe’s digital future.
Digital Commons tools for building Digital Sovereignty
NGI Commons will run a session highlighting how Digital Commons tools can provide open, scalable, and public-interest alternatives, thereby becoming enablers of Digital Sovereignty. It will showcase how NGI-funded Digital Commons enables interoperability through open design and governance. The focus will be on strategic areas for the Horizon Europe Work Programme, such as identity management, software supply chain security, open hardware, and alternatives to centralised platforms. Experts will engage in a focused dialogue on scaling Digital Commons tools to strengthen European collaboration, sparking discussion among the NGI community to refine the path forward.
Agenda
Digital Commons tools for building Digital Sovereignty | 09:45 – 10:45
Introduction and Moderation | Dr Monique Calisti, Martel Innovate, Digital for Planet
Keynote speech | Sean Bohan, OpenWallet Foundation
Panelists
- Denis Jaromil Roio | Dyne.org Foundation
- Pascal Steichen | Luxembourg House of Cybersecurity
- Karin Lammers | Independent Consultant
Wrap-up conclusion | Robbert Van Kranenburg, Martel Innovate
Towards a strategic agenda for the Digital Commons
During this session, representatives of the NGI Commons initiative will present and discuss a first draft of the strategic agenda for supporting European digital sovereignty through investment in Digital Commons. Key elements of this strategy will be presented and discussed with policymakers, activists and innovators. This session aims to generate feedback and identify synergies with other initiatives, helping us fine-tune our strategy for ensuring support for public digital infrastructure and the Digital Commons under the EU’s budget negotiations of the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). Hosted at the NGI Forum, this session situates our discussion within the NGI context and offers the community an opportunity to review and refine our approach to digital sovereignty.
Agenda
Towards a strategic agenda for the Digital Commons | 12:00 – 13:00
Introduction and Moderation | Paul Keller, Open Future Foundation
Panelists:
- Robin Berjon | IPFS Foundation
- Lukasz Klejnowski | Assistant to Member of the European Parliament Michał Kobosko
- Isabelle Zablit Schmitz | International Digital Health Expert in communications
Wrap-up conclusion | Robbert Van Kranenburg, Martel Innovate
