Across Europe, open source is increasingly used to address systemic challenges in a variety of sectors, including agriculture, energy, and public infrastructure. However, its full potential depends on how projects, policies, and markets are being shaped in those verticals.
This panel brings together concrete experiences from digital agriculture, energy system modelling, and public procurement to explore how open source enables innovation, transparency, and technological sovereignty across vertical industries. Drawing on EU-funded projects, open science methodologies, and real-world procurement practices, speakers will discuss how open source supports interoperable solutions, trustworthy policymaking, and resilient public infrastructures. The session highlights the critical role of policy choices - funding, licensing, procurement rules, and governance - in turning open source software into sustainable ecosystems that serve Europe’s economic, environmental, and democratic goals.