This paper analyses findings from 23 Open Source Software Country Intelligence Reports, examining open source adoption in European public administrations through legal frameworks, governance mechanisms, reuse initiatives, and cross-border collaboration. It shows open source is increasingly mainstream in European public administrations, moving from a tactical tool to a strategic objective supported by emerging multi-stakeholder governance.
The paper’s scope includes the Western Balkans, with new country reports on Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Serbia, highlighting how EU integration processes can accelerate open source adoption in candidate countries.
Lead authors: Éléonore Daxhelet and Jaakko Karhu
Reviewed by Sivan Pätsch and Chloé Dussutour (Wavestone)
Disclaimer
This report was produced by OpenForum Europe for the Interoperable Europe initiative of the Digital Europe Programme under the Specific Contract 32 FWC DI 07929-00 BEACON Lot 2 with the consortium DELOITTE CONSULTING & ADVISORY, WAVESTONE.
The information and views set out in this study are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the European Commission. This study has been carried out for information and consultation purposes only. It has not been adopted and should not be regarded as representative of the views of Commission staff. Neither the European Commission nor any person acting on the European Commission’s behalf may be held responsible for the use which may be made of the information contained therein.
© European Union, 2025
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