KDE signs petition urging European Union to continue funding free software

KDE has signed a petition urging the European Union to continue funding free software projects. The petition highlights the importance of the Next Generation Internet (NGI) programs, which have been supporting free software initiatives in Europe. KDE emphasizes that NGI funding has been crucial for projects like NeoChat, Kaidan, KDE Connect, and KMail. The organization expresses concern over the exclusion of NGI from the Horizon Europe working draft for 2025, despite its proven efficiency in supporting a diverse range of software initiatives. NGI has played a significant role in fostering European technological innovation and ensuring the sovereignty of the European infrastructure. The petition underscores the need for continued support for free and open-source software to maintain data privacy, promote community-wide collaboration, and address challenges related to technological sovereignty in the digital world.