The Urgent Need for Funding Open Source Software: A Call for the European Sovereign Tech Fund
Open source software (OSS) has become a cornerstone of the digital landscape, constituting an impressive 77% of all software according to recent statements from Google, with a staggering valuation exceeding $12 trillion. However, despite its widespread adoption and importance, OSS maintenance suffers from chronic underfunding. Many projects are sustained by solo maintainers who often work unpaid or at minimal compensation, which leads to significant risks, including project burnout and heightened vulnerabilities.
In an effort to address these critical issues, Google has introduced OSS Rebuild. Yet, GitHub advocates for the establishment of a European Union Sovereign Tech Fund (EU-STF) to ensure ongoing funding for essential OSS components lacking dedicated financial support.
Targeted Funding for Essential Projects
This proposed fund would not blanket every open source initiative; rather, it would specifically target vital components that are widely utilized but struggle to secure sustainable funding. This approach aims to foster long-term maintenance and enhance security in the OSS ecosystem.
Insights from GitHub’s Proposal
As part of its proposal, GitHub’s developer policy team has conducted a comprehensive study on the potential of a European Sovereign Tech Fund (EU-STF).The findings suggest that the EU could draw inspiration from the German Sovereign Tech Agency, which successfully allocated over 23 million euros to 60 OSS projects in just the first two years of operation.
The financial implications of implementing such a fund are significant. GitHub suggests a budgetary minimum of 350 million euros from the European bloc’s forthcoming multi-year budget (2028-2035).In its proposal, GitHub emphasizes the need for more substantial support:
“This would not be enough to meet the open source maintenance need, but it could form the basis for leveraging industry and national government co-financing that would make a lasting impact.”
Key Design Criteria for the EU-STF
The GitHub study outlines seven fundamental criteria to guide the design of the EU-STF:
- Pooled financing: Contributions should come from industry partners, national governments, and the EU, creating a united funding source.
- Low bureaucracy: Simplified application processes and minimal reporting requirements for maintainers will be essential.
- Political independence: The fund should avoid partisan influences and focus on consistent support for foundational technologies.
- Flexible funding: Support should be available for individuals, nonprofits, and companies, irrespective of EU residency, provided their work benefits the EU.
- Community focus: Engaging with the open source community to prioritize funding initiatives is crucial.
- Strategic alignment: Projects funded should align with EU strategic goals related to the economy, digital sovereignty, and cybersecurity.
- Transparency: Standards for governance and funding decisions should be stringent to foster trust.
A Strategic Move by GitHub
This initiative from GitHub and Microsoft comes at a pivotal moment, coinciding with discussions surrounding the EU’s new budget framework for 2028-2035. GitHub is actively engaging with EU legislators and industry collaborators while emphasizing the need for this fund. They are rallying support from individuals, OSS organizations, and corporate entities to urge EU institutions to recognize the critical nature of funding for open source software maintenance.
To learn more about this initiative, visit the GitHub Blog | Image via Depositphotos.com
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