Open Future Joins the European Network for Technological Resilience and Sovereignty

Today, on the eve of the Summit on European Digital Sovereignty in Berlin, we join the European Network for Technological Resilience and Sovereignty (ETRS). The network’s mission aligns closely with our goals of cultivating Digital Commons and building Digital Public Space.

ETRS is a collaborative initiative led by the Bertelsmann Stiftung (Germany), the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) (Belgium), the AI & Society Institute (France), and the Polish Economic Institute (PEI). The network strengthens Europe’s technological resilience and sovereignty by bringing together leading research institutions, policymakers, and industry experts. Together, they facilitate knowledge exchange, conduct strategic analyses of technology dependencies, and identify practical, evidence-based solutions.

Martin Hullin, Director Network for Technological Resilience and Sovereignty at Europe’s Future Program at Bertelsmann Stiftung, explains:

“Europe has heard the wake-up call, but greater coordination, research, and evidence-based policymaking are needed, a true knowledge engine. At the same time, this is about more than technology or economics. It affects us all and the question of what kind of society we want to live in. With this initiative we want to inspire hope and support fresh ideas that strengthen Europe’s capacity to act with confidence in the digital age.”

The network’s mission centers on three core objectives:

1. Fostering stakeholder coordination and knowledge sharing through regular dialogues and joint initiatives.
2. Conducting strategic mapping of technology dependencies and developing metrics to track progress toward technological sovereignty and resilience.
3. Advancing policy frameworks that support a sovereign, competitive European tech landscape upholding democracy.

At Open Future, we join ETRS to help ensure Europe’s digital policymaking is guided by evidence rather than hype cycles—especially where structural dependencies demand long-term strategic responses. We see the network as an opportunity to counter sovereignty-washing by grounding digital sovereignty in democratic legitimacy and respect for fundamental rights. ETRS can help ensure that sovereignty efforts support open, interoperable, rights-respecting digital infrastructures rather than reproducing new monopolies.

To learn more about ETRS or to join, visit the network’s website.