Building a Shared, Transparent, and Sustainable Foundation for Government Digital Services
The Public Code Platform is an open-source initiative led by Taiwan’s Ministry of Digital Affairs. It serves as a centralized repository for source code developed by government agencies, offering public access for browsing, downloading, and reuse. More than just a technical archive, it’s a collaborative space that fosters digital innovation and civic participation.
Government agencies can use the platform to reference existing code, align requirements more efficiently, reduce redundant development, and re-release improved versions. Civic developers and private-sector partners can also explore system architectures, propose enhancements, and contribute to ongoing maintenance—transforming public code into a shared digital asset for all.
Why Must Competition Projects Be Uploaded to the Public Code Platform?
The Digital Credential Scenario Innovation Challenge encourages participants to embrace open-source principles and drive social innovation. All winning entries must be uploaded to the Public Code Platform within 10 days after the final round, and must pass security checks and open-source licensing procedures. This is not only a showcase of achievement—it’s the beginning of broader impact, visibility, and reuse.
Through the upload process, teams will:
- Apply an open-source license (e.g., MIT, Apache 2.0)
- Complete source code security scans to ensure safety
- Submit a Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) and related documentation
- Become part of the public code ecosystem, enabling reuse and extension by other agencies or developers
The Value of Public Code
- Shared Resources: Reduce redundant development and focus budgets on innovation
- Transparent Trust: Open code allows public inspection and builds confidence in system quality
- Accelerated Digitalization: Inspire better services through collaboration between government and civic tech
- Civic Participation: Enable more people to contribute to the improvement and sustainability of public systems
Public code is like a trail that’s already been carved into the mountain—new travelers don’t need to start from scratch. Even with limited resources, they can reach greater heights. Your project is not just a competition entry—it’s part of Taiwan’s digital public innovation movement. Explore the platform: https://code.gov.tw