On Tuesday 30 June, the APELL Conference 2026 attracted around 60 people to beautiful Utrecht (Netherlands). For the fourth time, APELL invited participants for a full day of presentations, panel discussions, and working groups. The APELL Conference is the premier event for where companies and developers get together with industry leaders and innovators from the...
Author: Sebastian Raible
APELL and Open Source businesses: ready for an ambitious Digital Commons EDIC
Together with representatives from member companies, and partner organisations, APELL had the opportunity to join the kick-off of the Digital Commons EDIC on Friday 19 June in Paris, and represent the European Open Source Business sector. The DC-EDIC is a joint effort of France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, more countries have joined as...
Tech Sovereignty Package: Open Source as strategic goal, careful on the details
On 3 June 2026, the European Commission published its Technological Sovereignty Package. APELL welcomes the Commission's renewed commitment, and increased ambition with regard to the Open Source ecosystem. However, some of the proposed measures may not do what it says on the tin. Open Source Strategy APELL welcomes that the revised OSS Strategy figures as...
NGI0 Commons Business Circle podcast: Revenue Models for Communities
For NGI0 Commons-funded projects and everyone else interested: Join us on Friday 27 March 2026 for our online discussion and presentation: Revenue Models for Communities In this installment of our online discussions series, we are delighted to be joined by Emily Omier of Emily Omier Consulting to discuss: đź’ˇ typical questions for Open Source startups...
Data protection is at the core of digital sovereignty
The EU’s Digital Omnibus proposal promises simplification. Conversely, it could lower data protection standards, and risks to undermine European digital sovereignty goals.
European Open Digital Ecosystems: strategic advantage of Open Source
When the European Commission published its public consultation for a Communication “Towards European open digital ecosystems” on 6 January, hundrets of submissions came in within the first days. Yesterday, the consultation closed, with 1658 submissions one of the highest contribution rates ever. APELL welcomes the Commission’s display of support for the Open Source ecosystem and...
Public Procurement revision: shift investments to Open Source
In its submission to the Commission’s public consultation on public procurement, APELL welcomes the Commission’s efforts and recommends a shift in public investments towards Open Source, and with it a priority for the broader policy goal of increasing digital sovereignty in the European Union.
NGI0 Commons Business Circle podcast: how Open Source projects build sustainability
For NGI0 Commons-funded projects and everyone else interested: Join us on 28 November 2025 for our online discussion and presentation by Timo Väliharju: Balancing Community, Commerce and Commons In the first of a series of online discussions, Timo (Managing Director of COSS and co-founder of APELL) will shed light on: 💡 how Open Source projects...
Berlin Summit on European Digital Sovereignty: European Open Source industry declares digital independence
Berlin, Brussels, Paris, 17 November 2025. On the occasion of the French-German Summit on European Digital Sovereignty, taking place in Berlin tomorrow (18 November 2025), more than 100 businesses, organisations, and individuals are publishing their Declaration of Digital Independence. Initiated by the European umbrella organisation of Open Source business associations, APELL (Association Professionnelle du Logiciel...
Product regulation must take Open Source business needs into account
In an effort to reflect the recent focus on software and other digital products in various product legislation, the Commission has asked for evidence on what the public considers important when overhauling the so-called “New Legislative Framework” (NLF). APELL has submitted two important suggestions to the Commission: Reflect Open Source business models In recent legislation...
