Linux Foundation Europe Newsletter - November 2023

Welcome to the November 2023 LF Europe newsletter! 

In this edition we take a deep dive into the impact of EU policies on open source recently discussed at KubeCon+ CloudNativeCon, insights from key events like NGI Forum and SFSCON, and highlights from Open Source Driving the European Digital Decade, Madrid 2023.

Discover Linux Foundation project updates, including Sylva Project's cutting-edge release, OpenWallet Foundation's Governmental Advisory Council milestone, RISE's role at the RISC-V Summit and exciting news about Servo securing a grant from NLnet Foundation for enhancing its layout engine. 

Don't miss must-read blogs on sustainability, the state of open source in Europe, and software supply chain threats. Engage with thought-provoking discussions on the EU Cyber Resilience Act and telco cloud innovation. 

Plus, seize exclusive training and certification deals, with up to 65% off, valid until December 4, 2023. Participate in the CNCF Annual Survey, and mark your calendar for upcoming events like COP28 and FOSDEM. Stay connected with LF Europe's dynamic community and contribute to the open source movement!

Table of Contents

• News & announcements
• Updates from the Linux Foundation Europe projects
• Must reads
• Must watch
• Call to action
• New and recent publications from LF Research
• Training & certification deals
• Upcoming events
• Planning an open source event in Europe?
• Say “Hi!” to the LF Europe Team 👋

News & announcements 🗞️

• New blog alert! Dive into the recap blog summarizing the impactful panel discussion at the Open Source Summit Europe 2023 panel discussion “The Impact of the CRA on the Open Source Ecosystem.” Get a concise overview of stakeholder impressions and concerns, including perspectives from Linux kernel contributors, Python Software Foundation, GitHub, Red Hat, and Ericsson. Understand the potential implications for open source development and cybersecurity. Read the recap and catch the highlights that could reshape the landscape of software security.
• Mirko Boehm, Senior Director, Community Development, Linux Foundation Europe, delved into recent EU policy initiatives and their profound impact on open source software at KubeCon + CloudNativeCon North America 2023. From the economic significance of contributions to the role of SMEs, Mirko provides a comprehensive overview, spotlighting the global implications of EU regulations.This session is a must-watch for stakeholders navigating the challenging terrain of open source and EU policies, sparking crucial discussions on the delicate balance between regulation and fostering innovation.
• South Tyrol Free Software Conference (SFSCON) 
  For the first time, Linux Foundation Europe presented at the South Tyrol Free Software Conference (SFSCON). Mirko Boehm, Senior Community Director, took the stage to address the conference, putting the spotlight on crucial developments in the open source realm. His talk, "European regulators cast their eyes on maturing OSS communities," delved into the challenges faced by open source communities in light of EU policy initiatives and the changing approaches of policy makers towards regulating the software industry and open source ecosystem. From liability and cybersecurity to data handling and AI applications, Mirko raised pivotal questions about legislative participation and the potential impact on open source dynamics.The recording of this talk will soon be available. Stay tuned.
• NGI (Next Generation Internet) Forum 2023:
  Gabriele Columbro, General Manager, Linux Foundation Europe, took the stage in the plenary session titled "Towards Digital Commons: Charting the Course for Europe's Digital Future" at the NGI Forum 2023. Gabriele delved into the concept of digital commons - non-rivalrous and non-exclusive resources that power a significant part of the internet's infrastructure. Moderated by Monique Calisti, CEO, Martel Innovate the panel explored the opportunities and challenges in developing and maintaining digital commons in Europe. Discussions spanned current investment schemes at national and European levels and potential avenues for a unified European approach to stimulate the existing community of 'commoners. Watch the session here.
  
  
  Image: Panel discussion on "Towards Digital Commons: Charting the Course for Europe's Digital Future" at the NGI Forum 2023. Moderated by Monique Calisti, the panelists include Michiel Leenars, Adriana Groh , Sophie Bloemen, Gabriele Columbro , David Manset.
• Open Source Driving the European Digital Decade 2023:
  We're thrilled to share the excitement and insights from the recently concluded OSS Madrid 2023 event, where the European Open Source community gathered at Hotel Eurostars Madrid Tower on November 16, 2023. Hosted by OpenForum Europe, Red Hat, Linux Foundation Europe, TODO Group, and Bitergia, this in-person event marked a significant milestone in shaping Europe's digital decade. A standout session was the panel discussion on "The Cyber Resilience Act: Policy Concerns and the Role of the FOSS Community," skillfully moderated by Daniel Izquierdo from Bitergia. With distinguished panelists, including Mirko Boehm from Linux Foundation Europe, the conversation delved into the impact of the Cyber Resilience Act on OSS. Insights were shared on policy concerns and the pivotal role the FOSS community plays in ensuring innovation, strategic autonomy, EU competitiveness, and security. Watch the recording here.
  
  
  

  Image: Panel discussion on "Cyber Resilience Act: Policy concerns and the role of the FOSS community. Moderated by Daniel Izquierdo (Bitergia), panelists include James Lovegrove (Red Hat), Mirko Boehm (Linux Foundation Europe), Beatriz Benítez-Alahija (Across Legal), Enzo Ribagnac (Eclipse Foundation).

• OpenForum Academy Symposium
  Mirko Boehm and Cailean Osborne recently took center stage at the OpenForum Academy Symposium hosted by Technische Universität Berlin on November 28, 2023. Mirko Boehm, Senior Community Director representing Linux Foundation Europe, engaged in discussions on measuring innovativeness within the open source ecosystem, while Cailean, a seasoned researcher at the Linux Foundation and a Social Data Science PhD Candidate at the University of Oxford, captivated the audience with a compelling exploration of open source artificial intelligence funding models. His presentations covered a spectrum of topics, including public-private funding models, a case study on scikit-learn, the rationale behind corporate contributions to open source software, and nuanced insights into the dynamics between companies, foundations, and the OSS community. It was a knowledge-packed session, fostering a deeper understanding of the intricacies shaping the future of open source innovation.

Updates from the Linux Foundation Europe projects 🚀

Sylva

In its recent V0.3 release, Sylva project has introduced cutting-edge features, such as Container as a Service (CaaS) with BareMetal Automation, streamlined management of multiple Kubernetes clusters, and enhanced Identity Management for heightened security. Subsequently, the Sylva project achieved a significant milestone as Nokia successfully tested its User Plane Function (UPF) on the Sylva Cloud, marking a pivotal moment in advancing 5G standalone core networks. During the NetworkX event, the project took center stage, providing insights and engaging discussions. Concurrently, the recently concluded Technical Steering Committee (TSC) election saw Guillaume Nevicato and Carlo Cavazzoni elected as Co-Chairs & Board Representatives.

Moreover, welcoming Canonical as a General Sponsor further emphasizes the commitment to advancing open source infrastructure solutions. Looking ahead, anticipation is building for Sylva Dev Day at Kubecon in Paris, featuring a live Proof of Concept on Multi-Provider Networking. To stay updated on the journey, follow Sylva project on LinkedIn. Kudos to the diligent team and community for their collective efforts in making the V0.3 release of Sylva project a resounding success, driving progress in the realms of cloud computing and networking.

OpenWallet Foundation

OpenWallet Foundation reached a significant milestone on November 24 with the inaugural meeting of its Governmental Advisory Council (GAC). Led by Ruth Puente, the GAC is a crucial component of OpenWallet, standing alongside corporate sponsors and community members as one of the three pillars. Currently, the GAC boasts formal representation from ten countries, with numerous others in the pipeline. This diverse collaboration highlights OpenWallet's commitment to building a global network that transcends boundaries and empowers communities worldwide.

RISE

RISE was highlighted as a notable participant in the recent November RISC-V Summit North America, hosted in Santa Clara, California. In a significant sponsorship move, RISE facilitated a lounge, featuring comfortable seating with couches and a table - a conducive space for individual discussions. A key event was a panel discussion where the Technical Steering Committee provided comprehensive insights into RISE's endeavors supporting the RISC-V software ecosystem.

During the panel session, RISE shared detailed information on their activities, including the commencement of the Request for Proposals (RFP) process and the recognition of Quick Wins by the Technical Steering Committee within the project's initial six months. This demonstration underscored RISE's active commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration within the RISC-V community.

Additionally, RISE maintains a strong and engaging presence on LinkedIn, encouraging others to join the conversation and stay informed about the project's ongoing developments.

Servo

Servo recently secured a grant from NLnet Foundation to enhance its layout engine, resulting in improved CSS floats support. Additional features, such as right-to-left text and initial <table> support, are on the horizon. Servo is actively integrating with Tauri, refining its webview API for easier application embedding. Notably, Servo's governance is evolving, with Technical Steering Committee meetings now open to the public, attracting increased participation. Two new members, Gregory and Samson, have joined the TSC this month, reflecting Servo's commitment to transparency and ongoing development. Explore more details in the project's blog post.

Must reads 🔖

• Max Körbächer's blog, "Open Source as an Accelerator for Sustainability in IT," explores the growing emphasis on sustainability in the IT industry, with a particular focus on open source initiatives. The blog highlights the Linux Foundation and its associated projects, such as the Green Software Foundation, LF Energy, Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) - Technical Advisory Group (TAG) Environmental Sustainability, OS Climate (OS-C), and the FinOps Foundation. These initiatives are driving innovation to make open source software more energy-efficient, set standards for sustainability in IT, and promote eco-friendly practices in cloud computing, ultimately contributing to a greener digital future.
• The "World of Open Source: Europe Spotlight 2023 " report, authored by industry experts, delves into the current state and future prospects of open source technology in Europe. Highlighting its relevance, the report reveals a 57% increase in the value organizations place on open source, emphasizing its role in addressing societal challenges. While celebrating open source's cross-sectoral impact, the report also identifies disparities, such as a perceived stagnation in value within the public sector and a gap between utilization and contribution, calling for strategic interventions to align adoption with long-term sustainability.
• The Linux Foundation Europe's inaugural Member Summit, held on September 18, 2023, marked a significant milestone, bringing together participants from various sectors to foster collaboration and innovation. This blog provides a comprehensive recap of key moments, including an insightful keynote on LF Europe's state, discussions on wildlife protection using open source technology, and panels addressing the role of open source in industry transformation. The summit covered updates from diverse projects, insights from LF Research, EU policy updates, and discussions on strategic partnerships, culminating in a celebration of LF Europe's 1st anniversary at the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao.Read the full recap now and join the community shaping the future of digital transformation!
• This blog The Rising Threat of Software Supply Chain Attacks: Managing Dependencies of Open Source projects by Paolo Mainardi, delves into the escalating threat of software supply chain attacks within the open-source ecosystem. With approximately 90% of companies relying on open source and 97% of commercial codebases incorporating open source components, the blog explores the vulnerabilities and complexities associated with managing dependencies in the software supply chain. Highlighting the surge in supply chain attacks and the average annual increase of 742%, the author examines the challenges posed by factors such as the demand for open-source components and evolving cyber-attacks, providing insights into the measures being taken by organizations to mitigate these risks.
• Understanding the Cyber Resilience Act: What Everyone involved in Open Source Development Should Know: In this insightful blog post authored by Ashwin Ramaswami and Mirko Boehm, the authors navigate through the intricacies of the proposed Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) by the European Union and its profound impact on the open source development community. With a focus on establishing cybersecurity requirements for digital products in the EU market, the CRA introduces significant obligations for software developers. The post not only provides a comprehensive overview of the CRA's key provisions but also guides open source developers in understanding their specific obligations, addressing potential challenges, and advocating for collaborative efforts to shape the future of open source development within the framework of the impending legislation.

Must Watch ▶️

• The upcoming EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) will be a crucial instrument to regulate the security of digital products in the EU market. To gain valuable insights and diverse perspectives on this crucial topic, a panel discussion “The Impact of the CRA on the Open Source Ecosystem” was organized during the Open Source Summit, Bilbao, featuring key stakeholders affected by the CRA. The panel brought together industry and community leaders, including Greg Kroah-Hartman (Linux contributor), Cheuk Ting Ho (Python Software Foundation), Laura Seay (Red Hat), Justin Colannino (GitHub), and Phil Robb (Ericsson). Whether you're a developer, contributor, or enthusiast in the open source community, watch this discussion to get valuable insights into the ongoing discourse surrounding the CRA and its potential implications.
• Dive into the heart of Telco Cloud and Edge innovation with the insightful talk, "Sylva Project: What Is It, What We Achieved, and Where Are We Going?" presented by Philippe Ensarguet and Guillaume Nevicato from Orange. Held during the Open Source Summit Bilbao 2023, this session delves into the fundamental role of Sylva in homogenizing Telco Cloud & Edge, tackling major challenges, and driving sustainability.
• Embark on a fascinating exploration of the European open source landscape with our distinguished panel in the discussion, "What's the State of Open Source in Europe?" Held during the Open Source Summit Bilbao, this session features Hilary Carter from the Linux Foundation, Colin Eberhardt from Scott Logic, Sachiko Muto from OpenForum Europe & RISE, and Mirko Boehm from Linux Foundation Europe. Backed by LF Research and in collaboration with Scott Logic, this study offers qualitative and quantitative insights, shedding light on industry usage trends, emerging technologies, and the influence of leadership in European open source communities. Stay ahead of the curve - join the conversation and watch the panel discussion here.
• Linux Foundation Europe & Global Project Updates: Discover the latest advancements and future prospects of key open source projects at the Linux Foundation Europe Member Summit. This video showcases insights, achievements, and visions from project leaders, providing updates on Telco Cloud, Sovereign Edge Cloud, Energy Systems, Secure Wallets, Agriculture Systems, Web Rendering, RISC-V Software, and Cloud Native Computing.

Call to action 📣

The CNCF Annual Survey is closing soon! 

LF Research and Cloud Native Computing Foundation have partnered to measure cloud native adoption and trends, understand motivations for using and contributing to cloud native projects, and forecast new opportunities in this space. We invite you to join this conversation by taking the survey today!

As a thank you for participating, we’ll provide you with a 25% coupon off any Cloud Native Computing Foundation training (listed in https://www.cncf.io/certification/training/) or certification product amongst CKA, CKAD, CKS, PCA, KCNA, through February 28, 2024.

New and recent publications from LF Research 📊

World of Open Source: Global Spotlight 2023

Earlier this year, Linux Foundation Research launched a worldwide survey on open source trends. The Global Spotlight report covers a wide range of opportunities and concerns related to open source worldwide, incorporating regional comparisons of open source adoption, contribution, value propositions, and sustainability. Findings indicate that open source use is widespread across regions and that its value is well understood, but there is still an opportunity to increase contributions and the presence of OSPOs. Comparing across regions, Europe ranked highest in use and contribution, and government adoption, while Asia-Pacific ranked lowest in these categories. Read more about our survey findings in the full report! 

The 2023 State of Open Source in Financial Services

Linux Foundation Research has partnered with the Fintech Open Source Foundation (FINOS) for the last three years to study the financial services industry's use, contribution, and participation in open source. In its third year, the annual State of Open Source in Financial Services report analyzes quantitative and qualitative data to understand industry-wide trends in open source adoption, from banking to asset management to hedge funds. Compared with the 2021 and 2022 reports, this analysis illustrates directional shifts in the use and contribution of open source software. It acts as a resource for industry leaders to create or refine their open source strategy.

Training & certification deals 🐧

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Upcoming events 🗓️

COP28 🌿🇺🇳

This 60-minute discussion, scheduled for December 6th in the Blue Zone's Innovation Thematic Area (click to sign up) and live-streamed, will explore how various projects and communities within the Linux Foundation contribute to the UN SDGs. The panel will explore the impact of open source software, hardware, standards, content, and data on sustainable development. Attendees will learn the crucial role of open source in building sustainable infrastructure.

The Linux Foundation's Sustainability Initiative highlights the potential of technology to unlock additional revenue in the technology sector and promote sustainable practices across multiple domains.

Gabriele Columbro, the Executive Director of FINOS and General Manager of Linux Foundation Europe, will share insights into initiatives aimed at sustainability, ESG, and UN SDGs during the Linux Foundation COP28 Event. Through FINOS, diverse stakeholders are brought together to develop an open source financial stack, fostering collaboration and streamlining industry efforts. Additionally, Columbro, in his capacity as the General Manager of Linux Foundation Europe, will discuss LF Europe's crucial role in advancing Linux Foundation projects aligned with EU priorities and SDGs. Emphasizing the significance of public-private collaboration, he will shed light on how LF Europe contributes to the broader mission of achieving sustainability. Columbro underscores the transformative impact of open source in collectively addressing global challenges, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to leave a lasting impact on sustainability. Learn more here.

Digital Society Conference (DSC) 🇩🇪

Meet Mirko Boehm, Senior Community Director, Linux Foundation Europe at the Digital Society Conference (DSC) organized by esatus AG on Dec 7th & 8th. With a focus on "The new complexity: Education & work as reflected in digital transformation," this conference unravels the intricate layers of our evolving digitalized society. Delve into the emergence of new ecosystems, from identities to secure digital evidence, shaping the national and European landscape.

EU Open Source Policy Summit 🇧🇪

Join us on February 2, 2024, for the 10-year anniversary of the EU Open Source Policy Summit by OpenForum Europe. This landmark event, just before FOSDEM, gathers policymakers, businesses, developers, and experts to discuss the pivotal role of Open Source in digital policy. Keynote speaker Gabriele Columbro from Linux Foundation Europe will share insights, and Linux Foundation Europe proudly sponsors the event. Don't miss this chance to celebrate a decade of Open Source impact! 

FOSDEM 🇧🇪

Excitement is brewing as FOSDEM, the renowned free event for software developers, approaches on February 3rd and 4th, 2024, in Brussels. Join thousands of developers from around the globe in this vibrant gathering to share ideas and collaborate on free and open source software. The Linux Foundation Europe team is thrilled to be an integral part of FOSDEM, with a dedicated stand. Numerous Linux Foundation projects will take center stage at FOSDEM, with engaging talks in devrooms, main tracks, lightning talks, and at the Linux Foundation Europe stand. Mark your calendars, and meet us at FOSDEM for insightful conversations and networking!

OpenEmbedded Workshop 🇧🇪

Calling all embedded Linux and Zephyr RTOS enthusiasts! Join us in Brussels for the OpenEmbedded Workshop on Feb 5, 2024, right after FOSDEM. Share your projects, collaborate with developers, and explore the latest in embedded Linux, Yocto Project, and Zephyr RTOS.

Partner with Linux Foundation Europe for your next open source event

Planning an open source event in Europe? Let Linux Foundation Europe amplify your event's reach! To our members, we offer promotion on our website, social channels and newsletters, connecting you with a broad audience of open source enthusiasts. Reach out if you'd like a Linux Foundation Europe team member to speak at your local open source event. As an independent, trusted supporter, and vendor-neutral hub for open source projects in Europe, we accelerate collaborative efforts, connecting public and private sectors and individual contributors. 

Say “Hi!” to the LF Europe Team 👋

If you’d like to stay updated with what we’re up to at LF Europe, subscribe to our monthly newsletter and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn & Discord.

We are excited to invite you to join the newly launched Bluesky channel of the Linux Foundation Europe for open source initiatives. We aim to create a platform where open source enthusiasts and experts can come together to discuss, collaborate, and work towards advancing the open source movement. Please check this link to follow: https://bsky.app/profile/linuxfoundationeu.bsky.social

If you have ideas for new projects, please feel free to contact us at info@linuxfoundation.eu. We would be glad to explore how we can support your efforts. 

Finally, please also consider supporting LF Europe by participating here (it’s free for existing Linux Foundation members, not for profit and public sector entities). 

On behalf of the LF Europe team, we look forward to hearing from you!