Benchmarking the impact of the next generation internet initiative : final study report

The Next Generation Internet (NGI) is an EU initiative aimed at driving internet technology towards a human-centric internet aligned with European values. The NGI program provides financial support to grassroots open source projects covering various layers of the Internet. The program started operationaly in 2019 mobilising about 140M€ over 5 years and supporting more than 1000 projects. This benchmark study evaluates the impact of NGI projects based on the following criteria: alignment with EU Digital rights, enabling EU legislation, impact on standardisation, provision of alternative solutions, and sustainability. The study aims to provide quantitative and qualitative insights into the NGI portfolio's performance and technological building blocks, as well as recommendations for the future evolution of the initiative. The findings aim to inform policy-making decisions and shape future work programs. Overall, the NGI program has had a significant impact in shaping an EU tech landscape that is sustainable, sovereign, and aligned with EU policy and values.