OpenForum Europe (OFE) is an independent, not-for-profit, and pan-European think tank that advocates for the use of open standards and open source software in public policy and government procurement across Europe. Founded in 2002, OFE's primary goal is to promote competition, innovation, and user choice within the European digital market by fostering an environment conducive to open technologies and fair practices.
History and Mission: OFE was established during a period of growing awareness regarding the strategic importance of information technology and the potential for vendor lock-in in government IT infrastructure. Its founders aimed to create a voice that would champion open principles and ensure a level playing field for all software vendors, including those offering open source solutions.
The organization's core mission encompasses:
- Promoting Open Standards: OFE advocates for the widespread adoption and implementation of open standards in government and industry. It highlights their role in ensuring interoperability, preventing vendor lock-in, facilitating data exchange, and fostering a robust digital ecosystem.
- Encouraging Open Source Software: The think tank actively promotes the benefits of open source software (OSS), such as transparency, security, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. It emphasizes the strategic advantages of OSS for public sector applications, encouraging its consideration in procurement processes.
- Fostering Open Markets: OFE works to shape a competitive and innovative European digital single market where public policy encourages diverse solutions and technologies, rather than privileging proprietary offerings. This involves scrutinizing market dominance and advocating for policies that support an open, competitive environment.
Activities and Influence: OpenForum Europe engages with a broad range of stakeholders, including European institutions (such as the European Parliament and European Commission), national governments, industry leaders, and the broader open source community. Its activities include:
- Policy Analysis and Research: Conducting in-depth studies and publishing reports on various topics related to open standards, open source software, and digital policy.
- Advocacy and Lobbying: Participating in public consultations, providing expert advice, and advocating for policies that align with its mission within European and national legislative bodies.
- Events and Conferences: Organizing and participating in events, workshops, and conferences to raise awareness, facilitate dialogue, and build consensus around the principles of open digital governance.
Over its history, OpenForum Europe has contributed significantly to European digital policy debates, influencing discussions on topics such as the European Interoperability Framework (EIF), the re-use of public sector software, and the strategic direction of the Digital Single Market. Its work underscores the importance of open principles for a resilient, competitive, and democratic digital future across Europe.