The FSFE demands EU Commission sustainable long-term Free Software funding
In the wake of the recent €27 million cut in the NGI funding, the Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) is responding to growing concern by participating in a public consultation of the European Commission. The FSFE is stressing the urgent need for sustainable, long-term financial support for Free Software to ensure Europe's technological independence.
The recent cut of €27 million allocated to funding for the Next Generation Internet initiative has exposed the fragility of financial support for software freedom as a whole, and highlighted a critical issue: Europe needs sustainable, secure, and dedicated funding to ensure its control over technology through Free Software. Much of Europe's digital infrastructure relies on these projects to ensure independence and resilience. Reducing or cutting funding threatens Europe’s technological autonomy.
In response to the European Commission's unclear stance on future funding, the FSFE has participated in the public consultation, pushing to ensure that Free Software solutions receive the necessary long-term funding. This is the only way to successfully drive the digitalisation of Europe forward.
“The EU’s digital strategy can only reach its full potential if it systematically focuses on Free Software,” Alexander Sander, FSFE senior policy consultant, emphasizes. "We demand that public funds are allocated efficiently. Software freedom must be consistently supported with sustainable, long-term funding. After all, if it’s public money, it should be public code!".