Liberal democratic institutions are seen by many citizens as opaque and elitist, leading to widespread crises of trust and confidence. An effective response is for governments to adopt digital commons, which practically implement democratic principles of transparency, accountability and participation. Digital commons, also called open digital infrastructure, are shared information and knowledge resources such as Open Source Software (OSS) and Open Street Map. They are produced and managed for collective use, and to be modified and redistributed as needed. The Digital Commons Policy (DCPC) is an international think tank established in 2021. It aims to increase the recognition by governments of the benefits of digital commons and of the volunteer labour which produces these common goods. It does so by producing evidence-based public reports and other resources, and by organising workshops which bring together diverse stakeholders.
Enhancing national digital resilience with digital commons
To help government agencies and employees better understand the benefits of adopting digital commons in preference to closed products and services, the Digital Commons Policy Council is releasing a new stakeholder engagement tool, Enhancing national digital resilience with digital commons.
This tool consists of a one-page elevator pitch outlining how adopting digital commons can enable governments to (1) secure digital sovereignty, (2) invest in sustainable resources, and (3) rebuild trust. An online FAQ provides additional information and examples about these points, as well as information and examples about (4) procurement and firm support, and (5) products and services.
Best Practices Guide for Digital Commons – Government Relations
Governments, especially via their procurement processes, industrial policy and public service policy should be supporting and promoting the long-term sustainability and security of digital commons such as open source software. This will enable governments to pivot towards increased cost savings, support for ethical initiatives and technological sovereignty in the public sector. The publication of the Digital Commons Policy Council’s guide, Best Practices Guide for Digital Commons – Government Relations, is a significant step in achieving closer cooperation between governments and digital commons projects.
Latest Actions
DCPC Workshop
[en] DCPC/CDC 2025 Workshop: Extended summary, Civic Data Lab – Civic Health Innovation Labs (CHIL), Liverpool, UK
DCPC Intervention
Latest Publications
O’Neil, M, Heppner, H & Ross, A (2024) Civic information literacy tools. DCPC/NMRC, University of Canberra. DOI: 10.60836/smyk-8669.
Digital Commons Policy Council (2024) Best Practices Guide for Digital Commons – Government Relations. DCPC/NMRC, University of Canberra, DOI: 10.60836/tsx6-wc02.