In 2017, the [[European Commission]] stated that "EU institutions should become open source software users themselves, even more than they already are" and listed open source software as one of the nine key drivers of innovation, together with [[big data]], mobility, [[cloud computing]] and the [[internet of things]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Directorate General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology |author-link=Directorate General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology |url=https://bookshop.europa.eu/en/the-economic-and-social-impact-of-software-services-on-competitiveness-and-innovation-pbKK0417206/ |title=The economic and social impact of software & services on competitiveness and innovation |year=2017 |isbn=978-92-79-66177-8 |access-date=2017-03-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170506153548/https://bookshop.europa.eu/en/the-economic-and-social-impact-of-software-services-on-competitiveness-and-innovation-pbKK0417206/ |archive-date=2017-05-06 |url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2020, the [[European commission|European Commission]] adopted its ''Open Source Strategy 2020-2023'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=Open source software strategy |url=https://ec.europa.eu/info/departments/informatics/open-source-software-strategy_en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024124801/https://ec.europa.eu/info/departments/informatics/open-source-software-strategy_en |archive-date=2022-10-24 |access-date=2022-10-24 |website=European Commission - European Commission |language=en}}</ref> including encouraging sharing and reuse of software and publishing Commission's source code as key objectives. Among concrete actions there is also to set up an Open Source Programme Office in 2020<ref>{{Cite web |title=EC Open Source Programme Office {{!}} Joinup |url=https://joinup.ec.europa.eu/collection/ec-ospo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024124803/https://joinup.ec.europa.eu/collection/ec-ospo |archive-date=2022-10-24 |access-date=2022-10-24 |website=joinup.ec.europa.eu |language=en}}</ref> and in 2022 it launched its own FOSS repository https://code.europa.eu/.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Riordan |first=Ciarán O. |date=2022-09-19 |title=EC's code.europa.eu launches {{!}} Joinup |url=https://joinup.ec.europa.eu/collection/open-source-observatory-osor/news/ecs-codeeuropaeu-launches |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024124804/https://joinup.ec.europa.eu/collection/open-source-observatory-osor/news/ecs-codeeuropaeu-launches |archive-date=2022-10-24 |access-date=2022-10-24 |website=joinup.ec.europa.eu |language=en}}</ref>
In 2021, the ''Commission Decision on the open source licensing and reuse of Commission software (2021/C 495 I/01)''<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-12-08 |title=COMMISSION DECISION of 8 December 2021 on the open source licensing and reuse of Commission software (2021/C 495 I/01) |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32021D1209(01) |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024124803/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32021D1209(01) |archive-date=2022-10-24 |access-date=2022-10-24 |website=Official Journal of the European Union}}</ref> was adopted, under which, as a general principle, the European Commission may release software under [[EUPL]] or another FOSS license, if more appropriate. There are exceptions though.
In 2021 the ''Commission Decision on the open source licensing and reuse of Commission''
''softwareIn (2021/C 495May I/01)''2022,<ref>{{Cite web |last=GAUKEMA |first=Laurens |date=20212022-1205-0813 |title=COMMISSIONOfficial DECISIONexpert ofrecommendations 8for Decembera 2021new onInteroperability thePolicy open{{!}} source licensing and reuse of Commission software (2021/C 495 I/01)Joinup |url=https://eur-lexjoinup.ec.europa.eu/legalcollection/interoperable-contenteurope/ENnews/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32021D1209(01)official-expert-recommendations-new-interoperability-policy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/2022102412480320221024124804/https://eur-lexjoinup.ec.europa.eu/legalcollection/interoperable-contenteurope/ENnews/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32021D1209(01)official-expert-recommendations-new-interoperability-policy |archive-date=2022-10-24 |access-date=2022-10-24 |website=Officialjoinup.ec.europa.eu Journal of the European Union|language=en}}</ref> wasthe adopted,''Expert undergroup which,on asthe aInteroperability generalof principle,European thePublic EuropeanServices'' Commissioncame maypublished release27 softwarerecommendations underto [[EUPL]]strengthen orthe anotherinteroperability FOSSof license,public ifadministrations moreacross appropriatethe EU. ThereThese recommendations are exceptionsto thoughbe taken into account later in the same year in Commission's proposal of the ''"Interoperable Europe Act"''.
In May 2022<ref>{{Cite web |last=GAUKEMA |first=Laurens |date=2022-05-13 |title=Official expert recommendations for a new Interoperability Policy {{!}} Joinup |url=https://joinup.ec.europa.eu/collection/interoperable-europe/news/official-expert-recommendations-new-interoperability-policy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024124804/https://joinup.ec.europa.eu/collection/interoperable-europe/news/official-expert-recommendations-new-interoperability-policy |archive-date=2022-10-24 |access-date=2022-10-24 |website=joinup.ec.europa.eu |language=en}}</ref> the ''Expert group on the Interoperability of European Public Services'' came published 27 recommendations to strengthen the interoperability of public administrations across the EU. These recommendations are to be taken into account later in the same year in Commission's proposal of the ''"Interoperable Europe Act"''.
