Open Source Work: Beyond Voluntarism

Summary of the BZK Open Source Strategy Report

The BZK has commissioned the consultancy firm Berenschot to develop an open source strategy that formalizes the policy introduced in April 2020, titled ‘Open, unless…’. This policy states that the source code of government software should be open source unless there are valid reasons to deviate from this.

However, this principle is only being followed to a limited extent. There is a lack of urgency and understanding that can facilitate making their own practices and development and procurement processes more open source.

As a result, the benefits of open source work are not being fully realized. These benefits include:

• Increasing residents’ trust in the digital services provided by the government
• Attracting digital talent as an appealing employer
• More efficient use of public funds
• Reducing dependence on vendors

The report also provides a framework for operationalizing ‘Open, unless…’ and recommendations for implementing open source work within BZK organizations.

To move beyond the non-committal approach of ‘Open, unless…’, it is recommended that BZK unreservedly adhere to the grounds for refusal outlined in the Open Government Act (Woo). The source code of government software is considered government information and thus falls under the scope of the Woo.

This implies that government organizations have an obligation to make the source code publicly available on their own initiative. The framework can be used across government entities.