In January 30, 2025, Europe's newest initiative, the European Open Source Academy, will launch with its inaugural Open Source Awards, honouring outstanding individuals who have driven open source software and open hardware excellence and innovation in Europe.
Open source software and hardware are boosting Europe’s economy, with annual investments surpassing €1 billion and contributing significantly to GDP growth[1]. They have also reshaped the concept of public goods and fostered a culture of collaboration, innovation, and creativity.
As startups flourish and major companies embrace open source technologies, Europe is looking to lead in the support of open source software and hardware globally. As well as addressing the challenges of open source, the European Commission is funding a new initiative to celebrate open source through the establishment of a prestigious institution to reward those making transformative contributions. The European Open Source Academy (EOSA) will debut with the first European Open Source Awards in Brussels on January 30, 2025, during the European Open Source Week, which will bring together the most influential names in the field, along with European policymakers and business leaders.
Proponents of open source software and hardware say it will revolutionise how technology is created, shared, and used. By reducing reliance on proprietary systems and fostering open collaboration, open source promises to democratise access to technology, drive economic growth, and strengthen Europe’s technological sovereignty.
An open source skills and resource hub
The EOSA aspires to be the epicentre of open source development in the EU. The launch event will feature leading European experts, who, through their contributions to open source projects, education, advocacy, and business, are contributing to Europe’s emergence as a global leader in the open source movement.
With prominent and rapidly-growing start-ups at the forefront of Europe's open source movement, the EOSA plans to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing through an Open Source Skills and Resource Hub. This hub, co-designed by the EOSA, experts, and the wider open source ecosystem, will accelerate open source development and help create a strong, interconnected network of developers, researchers, industry professionals, and SMEs across Europe. The EOSA will further be conducting various training events as an integrated part of the Skills and Resource Hub. Training and resources will be informed by a gap analysis on areas where skills are lacking within Europe. Furthermore, the Academy is committed to supporting policymakers and decision-makers in encouraging increased contribution to, and integration and exploitation of open source technologies in Europe.
As Thomas Gageik, Principal Advisor at the European Commission, explains “Openness is the fundamental driver of innovation. Open source is one part – encouraging smart minds to work together and solve complex problems with unexpected solutions.” The EOSA aligns with the Commission’s vision by recognising outstanding open source contributions and also serving as an expert group to address challenges and seize opportunities within Europe’s open source landscape. The EOSA intends to help increase engagement with open source technologies and guide the EU towards greater strategic autonomy and innovation leadership.
The inaugural European Open Source Awards ceremony in 2025 will be the first of many annual events designed to highlight key developments in open source software and hardware.
Open source needs to step into the spotlight
While open source has been praised for its ability to foster collaboration and its contribution to the digital autonomy of Europe, it has not received much public or policy awareness, given its undisputed critical value to Europe's digital infrastructure and economy. To address these issues, the Academy will provide solutions that reinforce open source’s core principles of openness, collaboration, and public benefit.
By connecting the continent’s leading developers, industry professionals and policymakers, the Academy intends to shape the future of open source in Europe and beyond. The OSAwards.EU project, which is funded by the European Commission, is a 30-month initiative dedicated to advancing open source innovation and recognition across Europe and will support EOSA’s operations.
To be able to establish the initial Academy, a first list of laureates will be selected by the OSAwards.EU consortium of organisations that are active in various aspects of open source. The operation of the Academy will be supported by OSAwards.EU within the first year.
The initiatives were launched during the kick-off meeting of OSAwards.EU in Brussels, which is coordinated by RISE - Research Institutes of Sweden and includes OpenForum Europe, Trust-IT Services, COMMpla, Fraunhofer ISI, APELL - the European Open Source Software Business Association, Tecnalia and Barcelona Supercomputing Centre. The initiative is funded by the European Commission.
“Our goal is to create institutions and awards that will amplify recognition and awareness of open source software and hardware in Europe, fostering the skills and interest necessary to drive Europe's competitiveness and strategic autonomy,” concludes Johan Linåker, project manager at RISE - Research Institutes of Sweden, the coordinator of the project.
The advancement of Open Source Software and Hardware is poised to revolutionise how technology is created, shared, and used. By reducing reliance on proprietary systems and fostering open collaboration, Open Source technologies can democratise access to technology, drive economic growth, and strengthen Europe’s technological sovereignty. The EU is positioning itself as a global leader in sustainable, inclusive, and cutting-edge innovation, setting the stage for a future where both public and private sectors can build resilient, future-ready systems that benefit society at large.''
As EOSA and the European Open Source Awards continue to grow, they will serve as catalysts for ongoing Open Source innovation and maintenance in Europe’s digital landscape. The Academy’s work will not only recognize achievements but also drive future Open Source projects that contribute to Europe’s long-term competitiveness. By connecting the continent’s leading developers, industry professionals, and policymakers, the Academy will shape the future of Open Source in Europe and beyond. To be able to establish the initial Academy, a first list of laureates will be selected by the OSAwards.EU consortium of organisations that are active in various aspects of Open Source. The initiatives were launched during the kick-off meeting of OSAwards.EU in Brussels, which is coordinated by RISE - Research Institutes of Sweden and includes OpenForum Europe, Trust-IT Services, COMMpla, Fraunhofer ISI, APELL - the European Open Source Software Business Association, Tecnalia and Barcelona Supercomputing Centre and funded by the European Commission.
With the Academy officially launching in January 2025, the European Open Source Awards will provide a stage for recognizing the contributions that are transforming Europe’s technological landscape. By promoting Open Source as a tool for collaboration and innovation, EOSA will help ensure Europe’s position at the forefront of global technological progress. The ceremony, invitation-only, will be taking place on January 30 2025, in Brussels. For more details on the Academy’s work, upcoming events, and the inaugural awards ceremony, visit the European Open Source Academy website and subscribe to the newsletter.
[1]. European Commission, Study about the Impact of Open Source Software and Hardware on Technological Independence, Competitiveness, and Innovation, 2021, accessed November 28, 2024, https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/study-about-impact-open-source-software-and-hardware-technological-independence-competitiveness-and.
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