The EuroStack explained
EuroStack isn’t from the EU, but it might shape its future. A private initiative to build a sovereign, open European tech stack caught my attention.
Lately, I’ve been asking myself a simple question: what is the EU actually doing to build its digital future, beyond just regulating others?
It started with a conversation about digital sovereignty. One of those after-dinner talks where tech and politics blur. A friend mentioned something called the EuroStack, an initiative I hadn’t heard of before. The name alone was enough to pique my interest. I made a note to look it up.
At the same time, several clients had brought up similar themes:
- “Should we avoid American cloud platforms?”
- “What does European hosting really mean?”
- “Is there a ‘European alternative’ to the big tech stack?”
Sometimes the concern comes from a compliance or defensive angle — GDPR, AI Act, data locality. Other times it’s more idealistic or nationalistic: a wish to support European tech, align with EU values, or simply regain control over their digital infrastructure.
That’s when I decided to take a closer look.
Enter EuroStack
EuroStack is a European initiative that aims to define and promote a sovereign, open, interoperable digital infrastructure. Not just through policy papers — but through action:
- Mapping and endorsing actual tools
- Coordinating procurement guidelines
- Encouraging open standards
- Building a directory of trustworthy digital services made and hosted in Europe
In other words, not just "what not to do" (regulation), but "what to choose instead".
It’s a private–public collaboration, driven by independent tech leaders, policy thinkers, and companies like Proton, Ecosia, and Open-Xchange. They’re pushing for a modular “EuroStack” that could one day rival the dominance of US hyperscalers — not in size, but in fit: fit with European values, legislation, and long-term strategic goals.
Why It Matters
As a digital strategist, I think this matters for two reasons:
- It’s a rare moment of opportunity.
If we want better tools — interoperable, privacy-respecting, standards-based — we need coordination. EuroStack might offer that. - It’s already relevant for clients.
Whether it's schools, healthcare providers, public services, or mission-driven companies, the appetite for European solutions is growing, even if it's not always clear where to look.
That’s why I’m going to explore EuroStack more deeply in the coming months.
Not just what it wants to be, but how it’s taking shape in practice. Where are the gaps? Who’s already aligned? And what would it mean to develop, procure, or recommend tools in this new ecosystem?
If you’ve come across EuroStack in your own work — or if you’re navigating the same questions — I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Let’s find out what a European digital stack could really mean.
Rob Hoeijmakers
Sebastiano Toffaletti
Rob Hoeijmakers