TYPO3 Association Supports an EU Sovereign Tech Fund

The letter, signed by the TYPO3 Association’s President, Olivier Dobberkau, was based on a template formulated by OpenForum Europe, an independent open-source think tank based in Brussels, Belgium. It calls for the European Union to “take a proactive approach to digital resilience as a core component of civil protection and crisis preparedness.” The letter further explained the crucial importance of “investing in the security and sustainability of open source software (OSS).”

Benefits to Security and Economic Stability

An EU sovereign tech fund would:

• Secure Europe’s digital infrastructure against cyber threats.
• Strengthen open source software sustainability.
• Reduce long-term cybersecurity risks by investing in prevention.

The TYPO3 Association strongly urges the EU to establish a fund based on the model of the German Sovereign Tech Fund and underscores that “a well-funded, strategic approach to digital preparedness is essential for EU crisis response and resilience.” The TYPO3 Association also shares the perspective of our open-source partners, stating that “investing in open source security will support not only economic stability, but also Europe’s digital sovereignty and competitiveness.”

View the TYPO3 Association’s Letter (PDF)

Addressing a Beneficiary-Maintainer Imbalance

Investment in development of new features in open-source software seem to be relatively easy to secure through the businesses and organizations desiring them. However, long-term maintenance seldom garners the same excitement. This is despite research showing that open source code has measurable economic value. “It is possible to identify and to quantify a significant economic impact […] ranging from €60 billion to €95 billion to the GDP in the EU” from open code. (The impact of Open Source Software and Hardware on technological independence, competitiveness and innovation in the EU economy, p. 202.)

Most open-source projects don’t benefit from the stable support that TYPO3 Association receives from its more than 1,000 members. Many free and open source (FOSS) projects are central to government infrastructure or contribute vital functions to multi-billion-euro industries, yet receive little in the way of sustained investment or tangible returns.

Long-Term Support and Strategic Investment Matters

Although open source software is recognized for its security and reliability, long-term maintenance must be factored into how we assess the value of supporting these projects. The current imbalance is a threat to global cyber security and a risk to economic stability that should be taken seriously by governments and businesses alike.

The TYPO3 Association’s support for an EU sovereign tech fund underscores a larger need: sustainable investment in the invisible infrastructure that powers our digital society.

The letter to the European Commission shows the TYPO3 Association’s commitment to sustaining the ecosystems that make secure, resilient, and equitable digital infrastructure possible. The Association will continue to actively engage with policymakers, advocate for the long-term value of open source, and contribute to shaping the future of digital public goods.