Ausgewählter Blog
Shaping the future of digital independence
Digital sovereignty matters – more than ever. With growing concerns about the resiliancy of centralized IT infrastructure and data privacy it’s time to recognize those who make a real difference in pushing forward digital sovereignty.
What are the Nextcloud Awards?
With the Nextcloud Awards, which will be presented for the first time at the Nextcloud Summit 2025, we want to highlight people, organizations, and projects that are actively working towards a future where users – not corporations – control their data.
Meet our jury
Max von Thun
Open Markets Institute
Max von Thun is Director of Europe and Transatlantic Partnerships at the Open Markets Institute. He coordinates the institute’s European policy work and fosters cross-Atlantic collaboration among advocates for fair competition and democratic oversight of market power. His work focuses on antitrust, digital regulation, and new legislative approaches to limiting the dominance of Big Tech.
Svea Windwehr
Electronic Frontiers Foundation
As Assistant Director of EU Policy at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Svea Windwehr focuses on European digital policy, particularly platform regulation, user rights, and surveillance. She is also co-chair of D64, the largest non-partisan association for digital policy in Germany, advocating for progressive and democratic approaches to technology.
Aline Blankertz
Rebalance Now
Aline Blankertz is an economist and Tech Economy Lead at Rebalance Now, where she works on strategies to counter concentrated power in digital markets. She combines years of experience in competition economics with a strong commitment to making markets democratically accountable.
The DNIP Editorial Team
collective jury team
“Das Netz ist politisch” is a tech journalism blog run by a team of computer scientists and journalists. Their work covers topics such as cybersecurity, digital ethics, privacy, AI and regulation, cloud infrastructure, and digital sovereignty – always from an interdisciplinary perspective combining computer science and political science. For the Nextcloud Awards 2025, the DNIP jury collective is represented by Adrienne Fichter, Marcel Waldvogel, and Patrick Seemann.
Frank Karlitschek
Nextcloud
Frank Karlitschek is the founder and CEO of Nextcloud, the leading open-source platform for digital collaboration. He has been part of the open source community for over two decades, contributing to various free software projects and advocating for self-hosted, privacy-focused technologies. His work centers on strengthening digital independence through open source and trusted infrastructure.
Your turn
Nominate a changemaker
Do you know someone who is making a real impact in digital sovereignty? Whether it’s an open-source project, an advocacy initiative, or an innovative self-hosting solution – this is your chance to recognize their work.
This year, the Nextcloud Award will be presented in two categories:
Implementation Role Model
Nextcloud award for digital self determination
This award is for the doers. The ones who turn political ideals into working infrastructure. It honors people and institutions who don’t just talk about independence from Big Tech – but build it.
Whether it’s a public administration switching to open source, a school creating self-hosted learning tools, or a civil society project that refuses to compromise on privacy: this category highlights individuals or organizations who lead by example and show that sovereignty can be implemented – through bold decisions, long-term strategies and a clear commitment to open source. It honors those who turn digital sovereignty into action. An award for pioneers who lead by example and shape a more sovereign digital future.
Special Award 2025: digital sovereignty awareness in times of geopolitical changes
For those who defend values and create visibility in the face of uncertainty
This award highlights those who defend privacy, promote resilience, and raise awareness about digital sovereignty in challenging times. Whether through advocacy, education, journalism, or public policy – this category recognizes the power of voice, values, and visibility in a shifting global landscape. In times of geopolitical uncertainty, this award honors those who advocate for resilient digital infrastructure and sovereign decision-making – not only by informing and educating, but by taking a stand, shaping discourse, and contributing to political and institutional change. Whether through policy, journalism, education or foundation work: this category celebrates organizations or individuals who move the idea of digital sovereignty to public attention.
How it works
Form submit
Fill out the nomination form below to nominate a person or organizaition. Self-nominations are possible.
Review
Our expert jury will review the submissions. All finalists will be notified by 26th April.
Announcement
Winners will be announced at the Nextcloud Summit 2025 in Munich.
Submit a nomination
Nominate a changemaker
Do you know someone who is making a real impact in digital sovereignty? Whether it’s an open-source project, an advocacy initiative, or an innovative self-hosting solution – this is your chance to recognize their work.
