[perpass] Steer 750 million euro at the EC for 'future internet' the right way

[Michiel Leenaars <[e-mail]>]

Hi all,

I just wanted to flag this very interesting opportunity to decide on the
fate of 750 million euro to be spent on the 'future of the internet',
which might be interested to the folks in perpass because this is such a
hard topic to get funding for. The source of this money is the European
Commission's Net Futures directorate which was established to pioneer
and coordinate research, innovation, and policy initiatives on what lies
beyond the current Internet architecture, software and services.

In its own words: it is now "updating its vision for the area,
identifying key technological challenges and research priorities, and
establishing a research and innovation agenda for the coming years". But
it doesn't mention the whole surveillance crisis which seems like
something that should be the number one priority.

The fact that they put up an open consultation is the opportunity to
change that lack of awareness. Any input can have a noticeable impact,
because (as astounding as it is) for that huge budget only a few dozen
responses are expected. Any response pointing to the need to invest in
fixing the broken parts of the internet and its accumulated technical
debt first, therefore makes a *real* difference.

I've written up some background at the NLnet foundation website:

            https://nlnet.nl/people/leenaars/ec

The deadline is April 10th, which is insanely fast. But then again,
responses need not be too long - a few lines will do as long as the
submission flags somewhere that there can be only one real priority,
which is to harden the internet and repair the fundamental design issues
of the core of the internet in the post-Snowden era.

Thanks for your help, and have a great weekend!

Best,
Michiel Leenaars

(and apologies I've you've already received mail through some other
channel, it is just such a unique opportunity that it touches many
different issues)