The Dutch government is working on a new digital system called **DAWO** (Digitaal Autonome Werkomgeving Overheid), which translates to Digital Autonomous Work Environment for the government. This project is being developed by the Dutch Ministry of the Interior and Relations within the Kingdom (BZK) to reduce dependence on foreign technology. The system is based on **NixOS**, a type of Linux operating system known for its ability to manage software packages efficiently. The pilot program is currently being tested by eight municipalities using refurbished laptops, with planned launches in cities such as 's-Hertogenbosch, Zaanstad, Ede, and Amsterdam in April 2026. A full version of the software, called version 1.0, is expected to be released in 2027. **DAWO-NixOS** is built on a software distribution that originated from a package manager developed at Utrecht University. One of its key features is that its configuration is written as code, allowing for precise replication of workstations, line-by-line control, and quick restoration of systems. For daily tasks like office work and communication, the system uses a software suite called **MijnBureau**, which combines elements from the French **La Suite**, the German **OpenDesk**, and **Nextcloud**. All the source code for this project is made publicly available on the Dutch state's digital platform. The push for this digital autonomy comes in response to concerns about the vulnerability of the Dutch administration due to its reliance on non-European technology. These concerns were reinforced in early 2025 when the United States imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court, and there were reports that Microsoft might have restricted access to email for prosecutor Karim Khan. However, **Tweakers**, a Dutch technology news site, disputes this account after interviewing the project’s developers. The Netherlands is not the only country exploring alternatives to proprietary software. In June 2025, the city of Lyon began transitioning to **Linux** and **OnlyOffice**, open-source alternatives to Microsoft products. In October 2025, the French **Polytechnique** university suspended its move to **Microsoft 365** under pressure from the National Free Software Council. In April 2026, the State's Digital Directorate announced plans to shift from **Windows** to **Linux**, asking each ministry to submit its transition strategy by autumn. In Switzerland, **Bern** is testing a secure alternative for 3,000 roles dealing with sensitive information. Meanwhile, **Munich**, which returned to **Windows** in 2017 after a long period using **LiMux**, a Linux-based system, is now facing the challenges and costs of switching back.