Netherlands develops open-source digital workspace to ensure sovereignty

The Netherlands is developing a digital autonomous working environment for its public administration to increase digital sovereignty and reduce dependence on American technology companies. This initiative, known as DAWO (Digitaal Autonome Werkomgeving Overheid), serves as a blueprint for an integrated workspace using modular, open-source components.

For the operating system, the government has selected the Linux distribution NixOS. The project includes the “MijnBureau” suite, which utilizes open-source tools such as Nextcloud for file management, Collabora for office tasks, Element for communication, and OpenProject for project management. Three state IT service providers—SSC-ICT, DICTU, and DUO-ICT—have been tasked with implementation.

This shift follows a reversal in policy regarding major agencies like the Tax Administration (Belastingdienst), Customs, and the Benefits Service, which had previously considered transitioning to Microsoft 365. Concerns over the handling of sensitive citizen data and the potential for US-based technology to be used as political leverage prompted the search for a sovereign alternative. The government plans to host these services on its own servers or on infrastructure over which it maintains direct control.