This page contains reports and guidelines which provide good practices on various aspects regarding the uptake and use of open source software by public administrations.
Should you wish to contribute to this page by publishing a report, you can contact the OSOR team at EU-OSOR@ec.europa.eu.
Reports
Progress and trends in the national open source policies and legal frameworks
Year: 2024
This report consolidates insights from OSOR’s research to provide an overview of OSS policies, governance models, and implementation practices across Europe and beyond, highlighting its transformative role in digital governance.
Governments are increasingly adopting OSS to ensure digital sovereignty, improve data control, and foster transparency in public services. Over time, policies have evolved from specific mandates to comprehensive ecosystem approaches, emphasising collaboration among governmental bodies, open source communities, and international organisations. Implementation spans various levels, from national strategies involving Open Source Programme Offices (OSPOs) to regional and municipal initiatives designed to meet local needs efficiently.
Internationally, frameworks like the EU’s digital strategies and UN concepts such as Digital Public Goods are driving cross-border cooperation and integrating OSS into global governance efforts. This report demonstrates how OSS is shaping modern digital transformation by offering innovative, transparent, and sovereign solutions for public administrations, providing actionable insights for policymakers and stakeholders.
Report on the role of open source in the digital response to COVID-19 in the EU
Year: 2021
Authors: Federico Chiarelli, Debora Di Giacomo, Chloé Dussutour, Ghita Ennadif, Débora Lopes Gonçalves
The crisis created new challenges for the public sector, with 19 EU Member States reporting a disruption in the provision of public services during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. To ensure continuity, European public administrations relied on digital solutions to deliver their services remotely.
This report explores the role of OSS in the digital response to COVID-19 across the EU, focusing on good practices and successful reuse cases of OSS in the health and education sectors.
Status of Open Source Software Policies in Europe
Year: 2020
This report builds on country-specific insights to present a comprehensive view of OSS policies, governance, and initiatives across 28 European countries, including the EU Member States and the UK. Key findings from the report include:
- Policy and Legal Frameworks: OSS has become a significant element of digitalisation strategies in European countries, with many incorporating it into their political and legal frameworks. These initiatives demonstrate a growing recognition of the value OSS offers in supporting transparency, adaptability, and innovation.
- Governance Models: While some countries have designated governmental bodies to oversee OSS efforts, others rely on broader digitalisation entities to promote OSS. Both approaches have effectively supported the development and implementation of OSS-related policies and initiatives.
- OSS Initiatives: Public sector OSS initiatives are widespread across Europe, reflecting the increasing importance of OSS in providing modern, secure, and interoperable digital services. These initiatives highlight the collaborative potential of OSS in achieving digital transformation goals.
The report underscores the critical role of OSS in Europe’s ongoing digital transformation efforts. Its unique advantages in fostering transparency, adaptability, and collaboration make it a valuable tool for public administrations. The findings reflect a growing momentum toward integrating OSS into public sector strategies, with a positive outlook for continued adoption in the coming years.
Guidelines
OSOR Handbook
Year: 2024
Authors: Axel Thévenet, Ciarán O’Riordan, Paula Grzegorzewska
Implementers of open source software (OSS) in public administrations are no longer pioneers. There are now many implementers with a decade of experience, and even some with two. Information is being shared through more formally managed networks and at conferences. This handbook is the start of an ongoing project to make that information available to a wider audience and showcase the variety of resources available to those who would like to explore using open source for their organisation’s digital needs.
Guidelines for creating sustainable open source communities
Year: 2021
Authors: Vivien Devenyi, Debora Di Giacomo, Chloé Dussutour, Barbora Kudzmanaite, Maha Shaikh
The report explores the potential of open source software (OSS) for public administrations, highlighting its adaptability in enhancing internal processes and digital public services. Despite its benefits, OSS adoption often faces challenges like compatibility issues and inconsistent sustainability. To address these, the European Commission’s Open Source Observatory (OSOR) created the Guidelines for Sustainable Open Source Communities in the Public Sector, which provide practical advice for public administrations to either join existing OSS communities or build new ones. The guidelines emphasise active participation to ensure long-term success.
Based on research, including case studies of successful OSS initiatives, the Guidelines outline foundational strategies, approaches to joining communities, and steps for creating sustainable OSS communities. This updated edition adds recommendations on fostering diversity, managing member transitions, and creating supportive environments. Designed in a Q&A format, the guidelines simplify OSS adoption for public officials and support the European Commission’s goal of promoting IT solution sharing across the public sector.