Criticism programmed: EU cuts funding for free software and the open web
The "Next Generation Internet" initiative has been funding open source projects since 2018. Despite high demand, the EU Commission wants to cut financial aid.
Advocates of free software sharply criticize the expiry of the EU initiative "Next-Generation Internet" (NGI). Under this heading, the EU Commission has been providing funding for scientific research and innovations that can improve the internet as a platform via the Horizon Europe research framework program since 2018. This includes the entire open-source sector, including the development of free software and open hardware as well as open data, data protection-friendly technologies and network equipment. However, NGI no longer appears in the plans for the Horizon Europe funding drafts and work programs for 2025.
A big mistake, complains the Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE): "The lack of public funding for these important technologies has a negative impact not only on free software, but on the entire future of the internet."
"The Internet infrastructure is falling by the wayside"
Under the previous work program "Horizon Europe Cluster 4" for the period 2023 to 2025 alone, the Commission provided 27 million euros for relevant projects, writes the FSFE in an article now published by the EU civil rights initiative European Digital Rights (EDRi). According to an evaluation, NGI has supported more than 1,000 projects. 57 percent of these offer "viable alternatives to existing market solutions". 74 percent would be continued after the end of state funding. The FSFE emphasizes that this has promoted "privacy, security, diversity of opinion and participation as well as choice in the digital space". It itself received money from the pot to develop better copyright and licensing practices for software projects.
The Commission has not yet given an official reason for the change of heart, the FSFE criticizes. According to them, one impetus is likely to be a budget shift towards artificial intelligence (AI). As a result, "the internet infrastructure is falling by the wayside". The FSFE fears that the deletion will restrict autonomy. Europe needs "sustainable, secure and targeted funding for NGI and free software solutions" in order to control its technology. Otherwise, it would not be possible to achieve device neutrality in addition to network neutrality. The FSFE is therefore asking users to join it in lobbying the responsible Directorate-General Connect in particular for the renewed availability of funds.
(vbr)