Periodic Reporting for period 1 - NGI Commons (NGI Commons - Open Source and Internet Commons for Europe’s Digital Sovereignty)
Reporting period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-06-30
Europe’s digital transition relies on open, interoperable and trustworthy digital infrastructure. Digital and Internet Commons, including open source and open hardware, play an important role in this landscape, and current EU policy developments (e.g. the Open Internet Stack and emerging governance instruments) provide a favourable framework for their further development. NGI Commons operates within this context to assemble credible evidence, maintain structured dialogue with communities and institutions, and translate findings into practical guidance so that commons-based approaches can be planned, funded and adopted at scale in support of EU priorities.
The project’s overall objectives are to develop a shared conceptual and empirical foundation for Digital/Internet Commons in Europe; sustain engagement with practitioners, funders and policymakers so that priorities reflect operational realities as well as policy needs; co-produce a strategic outlook with concrete “building blocks” and governance options suitable for integration into EU programmes; and support uptake through clear communication, accessible materials and capacity-building. Delivery is underpinned by disciplined coordination, FAIR/GDPR-aligned data stewardship and regular exchanges with the European Commission.
The expected impact is threefold. Scientifically, NGI Commons consolidates concepts, typologies and methods, together with documented cases and toolkits, that the research and policy communities can reuse. Economically and technologically, the work identifies pathways for reuse and integration of commons-based components, supports interoperability across initiatives, and informs resource allocation in line with the Open Internet Stack. Societally, the project strengthens participation by communities and civil society in shaping Europe’s digital infrastructure, supports transparent and accountable practices, and helps anchor the digital transition in human-centric values.
Social sciences and humanities are integrated throughout. Qualitative interviews, stakeholder studies and policy analysis complement repository-based and quantitative techniques; research on governance draws on legal and social-science traditions; and ethical and data-protection considerations guide data management. This integration helps ensure that technical recommendations remain grounded in societal needs and European norms. Overall, the project contributes to the effective implementation of shared digital capabilities and supports Europe's objectives for an open, inclusive and trustworthy internet.
The project’s overall objectives are to develop a shared conceptual and empirical foundation for Digital/Internet Commons in Europe; sustain engagement with practitioners, funders and policymakers so that priorities reflect operational realities as well as policy needs; co-produce a strategic outlook with concrete “building blocks” and governance options suitable for integration into EU programmes; and support uptake through clear communication, accessible materials and capacity-building. Delivery is underpinned by disciplined coordination, FAIR/GDPR-aligned data stewardship and regular exchanges with the European Commission.
The expected impact is threefold. Scientifically, NGI Commons consolidates concepts, typologies and methods, together with documented cases and toolkits, that the research and policy communities can reuse. Economically and technologically, the work identifies pathways for reuse and integration of commons-based components, supports interoperability across initiatives, and informs resource allocation in line with the Open Internet Stack. Societally, the project strengthens participation by communities and civil society in shaping Europe’s digital infrastructure, supports transparent and accountable practices, and helps anchor the digital transition in human-centric values.
Social sciences and humanities are integrated throughout. Qualitative interviews, stakeholder studies and policy analysis complement repository-based and quantitative techniques; research on governance draws on legal and social-science traditions; and ethical and data-protection considerations guide data management. This integration helps ensure that technical recommendations remain grounded in societal needs and European norms. Overall, the project contributes to the effective implementation of shared digital capabilities and supports Europe's objectives for an open, inclusive and trustworthy internet.
During M1–M18, NGI Commons delivered the core analytical, methodological and policy-research elements underpinning its technical objectives.
Concepts and evidence on Digital/Internet Commons.
D1.1 Mapping of Digital and Internet Commons in Europe consolidates a structured literature review with 23 in-depth interviews linked to 17 case studies. The report clarifies key concepts, proposes a typology of sustainability models, and provides pseudonymised interview material to support further analysis.
Priorities for commons-based digital capabilities.
Through expert consultations and two technical workshops, the project developed and iteratively validated an initial set of commons “building blocks” describing discrete, reusable capabilities and their interfaces. This work provides a technical vocabulary and framing to guide subsequent integration and reuse across domains.
Methods to assess effects of public funding on open technologies.
In collaboration with the Sovereign Tech Agency and CHAOSS, the consortium advanced a measurement toolkit to evaluate funding effects on open-source development. Following expert testing, the approach evolved from a purely quantitative survey to a mixed-methods design combining qualitative testimonies with repository-based metrics. A bi-weekly CHAOSS working group was established to progress methodology. Five case studies (AboutCode, Decidim, F-Droid, Mastodon, Mobile NixOS) completed qualitative interviews; quantitative data collection from their repositories is underway to compare pre- and post-funding states.
Strategic analysis for policy and governance.
D3.1 Policy Mapping Report compiles EU developments relevant to open technologies and digital commons, providing a structured baseline for subsequent technical and governance analysis. Building on this evidence and stakeholder input, a Strategic Agenda – version for stakeholder validation (D3.2) was prepared to outline initial priorities and governance options for commons-based digital infrastructure. In parallel, research on governance applied a “bundle of rights” perspective to knowledge/digital commons, with interim findings presented in scientific fora.
Concepts and evidence on Digital/Internet Commons.
D1.1 Mapping of Digital and Internet Commons in Europe consolidates a structured literature review with 23 in-depth interviews linked to 17 case studies. The report clarifies key concepts, proposes a typology of sustainability models, and provides pseudonymised interview material to support further analysis.
Priorities for commons-based digital capabilities.
Through expert consultations and two technical workshops, the project developed and iteratively validated an initial set of commons “building blocks” describing discrete, reusable capabilities and their interfaces. This work provides a technical vocabulary and framing to guide subsequent integration and reuse across domains.
Methods to assess effects of public funding on open technologies.
In collaboration with the Sovereign Tech Agency and CHAOSS, the consortium advanced a measurement toolkit to evaluate funding effects on open-source development. Following expert testing, the approach evolved from a purely quantitative survey to a mixed-methods design combining qualitative testimonies with repository-based metrics. A bi-weekly CHAOSS working group was established to progress methodology. Five case studies (AboutCode, Decidim, F-Droid, Mastodon, Mobile NixOS) completed qualitative interviews; quantitative data collection from their repositories is underway to compare pre- and post-funding states.
Strategic analysis for policy and governance.
D3.1 Policy Mapping Report compiles EU developments relevant to open technologies and digital commons, providing a structured baseline for subsequent technical and governance analysis. Building on this evidence and stakeholder input, a Strategic Agenda – version for stakeholder validation (D3.2) was prepared to outline initial priorities and governance options for commons-based digital infrastructure. In parallel, research on governance applied a “bundle of rights” perspective to knowledge/digital commons, with interim findings presented in scientific fora.