On 29 October 2025, the European Commission has approved the creation of the Digital Commons EDIC (European Digital Infrastructure Consortium), an EU instrument enabling Member States to jointly develop, deploy and operate cross-border digital infrastructures, with a dedicated governance and legal personality.

With this initiative, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Italy are establishing a European model for cooperation and investment in digital commons, to ensure an open, competitive and sovereign digital environment anchored in European values.

“The EDIC Digital Commons reflects a shared ambition: to build together the foundations of a strong, open and sustainable European digital landscape. It embodies a collective momentum that will give Europe the ability to act and innovate on its own. France is enthusiastically and determinedly engaged in this new cooperation, which will foster the emergence of our European champions.” Stéphanie Schaer, Interministerial Director for Digital Affairs (DINUM) in France.

While over 80% of the digital technologies and infrastructures used in Europe are still being sourced from non-European providers, the Digital Commons EDIC has taken a crucial step: pooling the resources and expertise of Member States to develop open, interoperable and sustainable alternatives.

“With the EDIC Digital Commons, Germany is becoming part of a European Digital Infrastructure Consortium for the first time. This sends a strong signal for Europe’s digital future. Together, we are strengthening Europe’s digital sovereignty, promoting open technologies, and building a common digital infrastructure based on European values, so that Europe can shape its digital future in a self-determined manner. The Sovereign Tech Agency and the Center for Digital Sovereignty in Public Administration (ZenDiS) will support us with their expertise.” Thomas Jarzombek, Parliamentary State Secretary, German Federal Ministry for Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation.

“The Digital Commons EDIC is Europe’s bridge from pilots to platforms. We will co-invest in shared, open solutions—AI, cloud, cybersecurity, geomatics—that drive interoperability, lower costs for administrations, and create market opportunities for European SMEs. It’s a clear message: Europe can build, maintain and govern critical digital infrastructure on its own terms, for the public interest. We are very proud that Italy has been a driving force behind this solution.” Serafino Sorrenti, Head of Technical Secretariat to Undersecretary for Innovation of Italy Alessio Butti.