= The FSFE demands EU Commission sustainable long-term Free Software funding =
[ Read online: https://fsfe.org/news/2024/news-20240911-01.sv.html ]
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 [1] 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 [2] to ensure independence and resilience. Reducing or cutting funding threatens Europe’s technological autonomy.
In response to the European Commission's unclear stance [3] 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!".
1: https://fsfe.org/news/2024/news-20240719-01.sv.html 2: https://www.ngi.eu/news/2024/07/11/ngi-impact-study/ 3: https://fsfe.org/news/2024/news-20240808-01.sv.html
== About the Free Software Foundation Europe ==
Free Software Foundation Europe is a charity that empowers users to control technology. Software is deeply involved in all aspects of our lives; and it is important that this technology empowers rather than restricts us. Free Software gives everybody the rights to use, understand, adapt and share software. These rights help support other fundamental freedoms like freedom of speech, press and privacy.
The FSFE helps individuals and organisations understand how Free Software contributes to freedom, transparency and self-determination. We enhance users' rights by abolishing barriers to Free Software adoption, encourage people to use and develop Free Software, and provide resources to enable everyone to further promote Free Software in Europe.