GitHub Pushes EU to Fund Open Source Sovereignty—Before Big Tech Monopolizes It

Open source is the backbone of modern tech—but who pays the maintainers? GitHub just threw down the gauntlet.

The Pitch: A Digital New Deal for Europe

The code-hosting giant is lobbying Brussels for a sovereign tech fund, arguing that Europe’s digital independence hinges on sustaining open-source infrastructure. No specifics on funding size—just a stark warning about reliance on 'volunteer labor' propping up critical systems.

Between the Lines

This isn’t charity. With 90% of companies using open source (and most contributing nothing back), the move reeks of self-preservation. After all, even crypto bros know: if your free labor dries up, your unicorn valuation craters.

The Bottom Line

Watch the EU’s response closely. If approved, this could shift power from Silicon Valley’s 'open-washing' corporations to actual maintainers. Or it might just become another slush fund for consultants to file reports in PDF—the most closed format imaginable.

GitHub's developer policy team is spearheading efforts to establish a European Sovereign Tech Fund (EU-STF), aimed at addressing the significant underfunding of open source software maintenance. This initiative comes as part of a feasibility study that seeks to replicate and expand upon the success of Germany's Sovereign Tech Agency at the EU level, according to GitHub.

The Critical Role of Open Source

Open source software forms the backbone of digital infrastructure globally, yet it remains critically underfunded compared to physical infrastructure. With an estimated demand-side value of $8.8 trillion to the global economy, and a contribution of €65-95 million to the EU economy annually, the importance of open source is undeniable. However, the funding for its maintenance does not match its value, leaving many projects vulnerable and under-resourced.

A Call for Structured Support

The proposed EU-STF aims to bridge this gap by pooling resources from the EU, national governments, and private industry into a centralized fund. The study outlines two potential frameworks for the fund: a centralized EU institution or a consortium of member states. Both models emphasize the necessity of a minimum €350 million contribution from the EU's multiannual budget to kickstart the initiative.

Designing the Fund

The study highlights several design criteria for the EU-STF, including pooled financing, low bureaucracy, political independence, flexible funding mechanisms, community engagement, strategic alignment with EU goals, and transparency. These criteria are informed by successful models like the German Sovereign Tech Agency, which has invested over €23 million in open source projects since 2022.

Strategic Impact and Next Steps

GitHub and its partners, including Mercedes-Benz, are advocating for the fund as part of the EU's next Multiannual Financial Framework negotiations for 2028-2035. The fund's strategic alignment with EU objectives such as digital sovereignty and cybersecurity is crucial for securing the necessary political and financial support.

As negotiations progress, stakeholders across the open source community are encouraged to voice their support for the EU-STF to ensure the sustainability and security of Europe's open source infrastructure.

• github
• open source
• eu tech fund