EUROSTACK

Building a European alternative for technological sovereignty

EUROSTACK

Building a European alternative for technological sovereignty

Sovereign AI, open-source ecosystems, green supercomputing, data commons, and sovereign cloud: Building homegrown alternatives to empower Europe to reclaim control of its digital future—layer by layer, innovation by innovation.

The Report

The EuroStack: Europe Innovating on Its Own Terms

EuroStack is our rallying cry to shape Europe’s digital destiny. By prioritizing strategic autonomy and harnessing breakthrough tech—AI, chips, quantum computing, advanced cloud solutions—we’re preparing Europe for tomorrow’s challenges and new opportunities.

It’s time to build a digital future that mirrors our democratic values, economic ambitions, and environmental commitments.


Seize the Opportunity

EuroStack isn’t about idealism—it’s hard realism. The alternative? A Europe reduced to digital colonialism, with industries hollowed out, citizens under foreign surveillance, and climate goals held hostage by monopolies.

We have the tools, we have the talent. Now we need the will to innovate on our own terms.



Download the EuroStack Report

Act Now—Or Lose the 21st Century

The stack is stacked against us.
Let’s rebuild it.



“EuroStack is our moonshot – the digital evolution of the euro and Single Market. EuroStack isn’t optional – it’s how Europe innovates in the public interest and leads on its own terms.”
Francesca Bria
Fellow Stiftung Mercator, Hon. Professor, UCL IIPP
“The EuroStack vision presents a tangible pathway for Europe to reduce its technological dependence, enhance its strategic autonomy, and lead in values-driven innovation.”
Martin Hullin
Director Digitalization and the Common Good, Bertelsmann Stiftung
“Europe needs its own digital ecosystem to safeguard its values and democracies. This can only be achieved from a position of economic independence and strenght.“
Carla Hustedt
Director "Centre for Digital Society", Stiftung Mercator
"The EuroStack is a strategic vision for Europe to lead in creating a fairer, greener, and more democratic digital economy."
Prof. Mariana Mazzucato
Founding Director of the UCL IIPP
"Policymakers should not ignore such compelling evidence and this hands-on description of the steps toward true Europea technological sovereignty."
Andrea Renda
Director of Research, CEPS

The current Digital Stack

The layers

Data and Artificial Intelligence
Software
Cloud
Internet of Things & Devices
Networks
Chips
Critical Resources: Raw Materials, Energy and Water
Data and Artificial Intelligence
Software
Cloud
Internet of Things & Devices
Networks
Chips
Raw Materials, Energy and Water



Europe’s Common Key Component Digital Stack

Key Components / common services

This robust infrastructure is built around key components designed to strengthen Europe’s autonomy and drive innovation.

SovereignAI

AI-as-a-Service for Europe’s Strategic Autonomy

DataCommons

Federated Data Exchange for Innovation

EuroOS

Europe’s Digital Control Center (featuring the Digital ID Wallet and Digital Euro)

SovereignCloud

Europe’s Secure and Scalable Digital Core

SmartEurope IoT

Trusted, Interoperable, and Connected systems

EuroConnect

Reliable Pan-European Connectivity

EuroChips

The Foundation of Europe’s Digital Power

The EuroStack

Core principles

Sovereignty and Security

Guaranteeing that Europe’s critical digital infrastructure is under European jurisdiction, protected by robust security-by-design and privacy-by-design.

De-Proprietarization and Interoperability

Promoting integration across an open source, federated tech stack, while reducing reliance on Big Tech proprietary solutions.

Sustainability

Building energy-efficient and resource-resilient systems to meet Europe’s Environmental and Climate objectives.

Data as a Common Good

Treating data as a shared resource to unlock innovation while safeguarding societal interests and fundamental rights.

Decentralized Sovereign Infrastructure

Combining edge computing and centralized systems for improved efficiency and data sovereignty.

Inclusive Governance

Ensuring harmonized regulations, accountability, and a balance between short-term resilience and long-term autonomy.

Strong Democracy

Digital technologies that do no harm, but fundamentally strengthen democratic societies.

The EuroStack

The EuroStack Selection of Key companies, Alliances and Networks per layer

KEY COMPANIES

ALLIANCES AND NETWORKS

Data and Artificial Intelligence
  • Mistral (France)
  • Hugging Face (France)
  • Aleph Alpha (Germany)
  • Siemens (Germany)
  • European AI Alliance
  • AI4EU Platform
  • Big Data Value Association (BDVA)
Software
  • SAP (Germany)
  • Nextcloud (Germany)
  • LibreOffice (Germany)
  • Dassault Systèmes (France)
  • Thales (France)
  • Bitdefender (Romania)
  • OpenForum Europe
  • European Software Strategy Alliance (ESSA)
  • Secure Identity Alliance
Internet of Things & Devices
  • Siemens (Germany)
  • Schneider Electric (France)
  • Bosch (Germany)
  • Philips (Netherlands)
  • IoT European Platforms Initiative (IoT-EPI)
Cloud
  • OVHcloud (France)
  • Scaleway (France)
  • Deutsche Telekom (Germany)
  • Schwarz (Germany)
  • European Alliance for Industrial Data, Edge, and Cloud
Networks
  • Nokia (Finland)
  • Ericsson (Sweden)
  • Alcatel Submarine Networks (France)
  • Orange (France)
  • Airbus Defence and Space (Germany/France)
  • 5G Infrastructure Public Private Partnership (5G PPP)
  • Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking for 5G and 6G
Chips
  • ASML (Netherlands)
  • STMicroelectronics (France/Italy)
  • Infineon Technologies (Germany)
  • NXP Semiconductors (Netherlands)

  • Key R&D Innovators:
  • Fraunhofer Society (Germany)
  • IMEC (Belgium)
  • Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) on Microelectronics
  • Silicon Saxony
  • European Semiconductor Industry Association (ESIA)
  • Industrial Alliance on Processors and Semiconductor Technologies
Raw Materials, Energy and Water
  • Umicore (Belgium)
  • Boliden (Sweden)
  • European Raw Materials Alliance (ERMA)

The EuroStack Industrial Challenge

Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) as Highly Scalable Digital Services

What are MVPs?

A set of highly scalable, interoperable pan European, digital services, products, and apps designed to succeed in the Single Market. These are operational trailblazers and will meet the immediate needs of citizens and businesses while demonstrating the feasibility and value of Europe’s digital sovereignty strategy. They use the key components of the EuroStack.

EuroChips
EuroConnect
SovereignCloud
SmartEurope IoT
DataCommons
EuroOS
SovereignAI

User Story Examples

Citizen-Centric Public Services (Mobility and Healthcare)

Clara, a Barcelona resident, visits Berlin for a music festival, seamlessly accessing EuroStack-enabled mobility and healthcare services.
Using her Sovereign Digital Identity Wallet, Clara logs into a Berlin mobility app, which verifies her identity securely. Tailored discounts for eco-friendly transport options, such as e-scooters, are offered.
Payments are instant and fee-free via Digital Euro, while Federated AI provides real-time updates for low-carbon travel routes.
Later, Clara visits a pharmacy for an emergency prescription. The pharmacist accesses her medical history through the Federated Data Exchange, ensuring GDPR compliance and safeguarding her privacy.
Clara pays securely with Digital Euro, completing the transaction effortlessly. The payment is automatically registered with her home healthcare insurance.

What does this MVP illustrate?


How EuroStack creates interoperable, privacy-first solutions, enhancing citizens’ experiences, saving them hours of administrative hassle, while advancing sustainability and cross-border collaboration in mobility and healthcare.

Advanced Manufacturing – Transforming Supply Chains

Markus, an automotive manufacturer in Munich, optimizes production with a Dutch supplier using EuroStackenabled tools.
Markus’s factory connects to the EuroStack Decentralized Cloud, securely processing real-time production data locally.
Federated AI analyses data across EU factories, providing actionable insights to reduce waste and energy use in line with the EU Green Deal.
Supplier credentials are verified through the Sovereign Digital Identity Wallet, accelerating contract approvals and ensuring compliance.
Payments are processed instantly via Digital Euro, avoiding delays and fees.
Material quality updates and delivery schedules are shared securely via the Federated Data Exchange, enabling predictive maintenance, and preventing disruptions. Markus becomes a leader in productivity growth in their sector.

What does this MVP illustrate?


EuroStack’s ability to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and resilience in Europe’s manufacturing sector.

Cross-Border Genomic Innovation for Precision Medicine

Maria, a biotech product manager in Ljubljana, collaborates with teams in Bologna and Finland to develop a precision medicine drug.
Using her Sovereign Digital Identity Wallet, Maria securely accesses sensitive genomic datasets stored in EU data infrastructures.
Federated AI analyses distributed data without transferring raw information, identifying genetic markers while maintaining privacy.
Simulations are run on Bologna’s Leonardo and Finland’s LUMI supercomputers via the EuroStack Decentralized Cloud, ensuring compliance and security.
Anonymized findings are shared through the Federated Data Exchange, allowing a healthcare provider in Denmark to pilot the drug ethically and cross-border. Maria’s Ljubljana company consistently beats international competition in lab-to-market time.

What does this MVP illustrate?


EuroStack’s role in accelerating innovation in precision medicine, enabling secure collaboration while safeguarding patient privacy.

The EuroStack

Geographic mapping

The EuroStack

European Policies operating on the stack

Strategy
Investment
Legislation
Funding programme
Funding instrument
Deployment

1. Policies that apply to the whole stack

  • Digital Decade
  • A New European Innovation Agenda, European Innovation Ecosystems (EIE)
  • Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL)
  • Horizon Europe
  • InvestEU
  • The Recovery and Resilience Facility (NextGenerationEU)
  • VentureEU
  • European Innovation Council (EIC) Fund
  • European Tech Champions Initiative
  • EU Cybersecurity Strategy: Cyber Security Act + Digital Operational Resilience Act

2. Policies that apply to multiple stack layers

Data and Artificial Intelligence, Software, Networks
  • The Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP)
  • European Defence Fund
Software, Cloud
  • Digital Services Act (DSA)
  • Digital Markets Act (DMA)
Software, Internet of Things & Devices, Networks
  • Network and Information Systems Directive (NIS2 Directive)
  • Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA)
Internet of Things & Devices, Networks, Chips
  • Quantum Technologies Flagship
Software, Networks
  • Connecting Europe Facility (CEF)

3. Policies that apply to certain layers of the stack

Data and Artificial Intelligence
  • European AI strategy (2021 Review)
  • EU Artificial Intelligence Act
  • AI Innovation Package
  • Data Governance Act (DGA) + Data Act
  • General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
  • European Strategy for Data (European Health Data Space)
Software
  • eIDAS 2.0
  • EU Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI)
Internet of Things & Devices
  • Cyber Resilience Act
Networks
  • The Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP)
  • European Peace Facility (EPF)
  • European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI)
  • CASSINI (Space and Defence innovation)
  • 5G Action Plan
  • 5G PPP
  • European Electronic Communications Code
Chips
  • Chips Act
  • Chips for Europe Initiative
Raw Materials, Energy and Water
  • Critical Raw Materials Act

Credits


Project Leadership and Coordination:
Prof. Francesca Bria

Lead Authors:
Prof. Francesca Bria, Fellow Mercator Stiftung, Hon,.Professor UCL IIPP
Prof. Paul Timmers, WeltWert®
Dr. Fausto Gernone, UCL IIPP

Commissioned by:
Supported by:
Infographics and visuals:
Dirma Janse

Geographics mapping, cartography:
Tim Tensen

Web development:
Jose Núñez

Contributing experts:
Dr. Andrea Renda, Director of Research, CEPS
Prof. Haroon Sheikh, Fellow at the Netherlands Scientific Council for Government Policy (WRR)
Professor Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Dr. Pierre Bitard, ANRT – Association Nationale de la Recherche de la Technologie
Prof. Cecilia Rikap, Head of Research, UCL IIPP
Derk Oldenburg, WeltWert®
Georg Serentschy, WeltWert®
Dr. Christopher Fischer, Research Fellow, CEPS
Olesya Grabova, Research Assistant, CEPS
Martin Hullin, Director, Bertelsmann Stiftung
Dr. Felix Sieker, Project Manager, Bertelsmann Stiftung

Additional contributors:
Sebastiano Toffaletti, Secretary General (CEO), European DIGITAL SME Alliance
Alberto Marti, VP of Open Source Innovation, Open Nebula Systems
Robin Berjon, Technologist, and governance expert
Dr. Alek Tarkowski, Director of Strategy, Open Future Foundation
Paul Keller, Director of Policy, Open Future Foundation
Adriana Groh, CEO, Sovereign Tech Agency GmbH
Sophie Bloemen, Commons Network
Rob van Kranenburg, Senior Policy and Communication Specialist, Martel Innovate
Vittorio Bertola, Head of Policy and Innovation, Open-Xchange
Francesco Bonfiglio, CEO, Dynamo
Denis Roio, CEO Dyne.org

Reviewers:
Prof. Henning Kagermann, Chair of the Board of Trustees, acatech – National Academy of Science and Engineering, Germany
Prof. Johannes Meier, Chairman, Mercator Foundation
Prof. Cristina Caffarra, Former Antitrust Consultant, UCL, CEPR Associate Fellow
Pierre Pezziardi, Entrepreneur, Advisor to the French Interministerial Directorate for Digital Affairs
Dr. Evgeny Morozov, Founder, The Syllabus
Prof. Rainer Kattel, Deputy Director, UCL IIPP
Prof. Luc Soete, emeritus professor, Maastricht University
Rafael Laguna de la Vera, Founding Director, SPRIND - German Federal Agency for Breakthrough Innovation
Joerg Resch, Innovation Manager, SPRIND - German Federal Agency for Breakthrough Innovation
Dr. Stefan Heumann, Managing Director, Agora Digitale Transformation
Prof. George Danezis, University College London & Mysten Labs
Prof. Daniele Archibugi, Research Director, Italian Research Council, Irpps, and Professor of Innovation, Governance and Public Policy, University of London, Birkbeck Business School
Frank Rieger, Technologist
Udbhav Tiwari, Director, Global Product Policy, Mozilla
Prof. Cristian Hesselman, Director SIDN Labs; University Twente
Volker Stocker, Weizenbaum Institute for the Networked Society, TU Berlin
Axel Voss, MEP, EPP Group
Kai Zenner, Head of Office and Digital Policy Adviser for MEP Axel Voss, The EPP Group
Alexandra Geese, MEP, The Green/EFA Group
Matthias Ecke, MEP, The S&D Group

Resources

Readings on Europe’s Digital Sovereignty for Policy Makers


Contact



Martin Hullin
Director Digitalization and the Common Good
Prof. Francesca Bria
Project Leadership