Open Internet Stack: development of technological commons/open-source 3C building blocks (RIA)

The main goal of this opportunity is to develop an Open-Source framework that provides essential technology components for a large-scale pilot project in Europe. It focuses on creating a publicly available and operational set of digital commons, especially for internet technologies that support trust, secure transactions, robust connectivity, and decentralization. The initiative aims to build a library of inclusive, interoperable, and human-centered applications and services using Open-Source tools. Special attention is given to trust technologies, network and connectivity solutions, and stimulating a vibrant European ecosystem of contributors to digital commons. The geographic scope covers EU countries, associated countries, and certain non-EU countries with specific funding provisions.

• Development of an Open Source digital commons stack supporting trust, decentralisation, and connectivity for the 3C large scale pilot.

• Integration and validation of privacy-preserving, identity, and AI-based trust technologies for interoperable digital infrastructures.

• Funding and mentoring third-party Open Source projects aligned with EU values and digital regulation (e.g. GDPR, DSA, CRA).

• Creation of a public European repository of reusable, secure, and documented software building blocks.

• Coordination and integration of Open Source components across the 3C ecosystem, including collaboration with other European and global commons initiatives.

Example Projects:

• Developing an Open-Source privacy-enhancing technology for secure online transactions.
• Building a toolkit for trusted digital identity verification that can be used across different European countries.
• Creating a library of interoperable, human-centric applications for decentralized internet services.

• Salaries and personnel costs for project staff
• Costs for purchasing hardware and software needed for development
• Travel and accommodation expenses for project meetings and events
• Subcontracting specific tasks or expertise
• Costs for open calls and managing third-party grants
• Communication and dissemination activities
• Training and capacity-building related to the project
• Costs for organizing workshops, seminars, or hackathons
• Development and maintenance of open-source repositories
• Project management and administrative expenses

Restrictions: Expenses must be directly related to the project activities and comply with the funding program's guidelines. Some costs, like support services for third-party projects, cannot be funded from the budget reserved for third-party financial support.

• Budget for this Call: 10,000,000€
• Number of Grants attributed: 1
• Budget per grant: 10,000,000€

• Applicants must be established in an EU country, an associated country, or a non-EU country with specific funding provisions.
• Applicants must comply with requirements to protect European communication networks.
• Applicants must follow the specific eligibility conditions outlined in the relevant topic of the Work Programme.
• Applicants must adhere to page limits and proposal layouts as described in the Work Programme guidelines.
• Applicants must demonstrate financial and operational capacity to carry out the project.
• Eligibility may depend on forming partnerships or networks, as required by the specific call.