Ecosia, a search engine known for its tree-planting initiative, is collaborating with Qwant, a privacy-focused search engine, to create a European search index. This partnership is aimed at providing an alternative to existing search engine giants, primarily based in the U.S. User comments express optimism about European-based search alternatives, highlighting the importance of supporting non-U.S. options amid growing concerns about privacy and data usage. Some users mentioned GOOD, another alternative using Brave's search index, and compared Ecosia/Qwant with Kagi, expressing willingness to pay for services that safeguard user data and promote sustainability. A user suggested that a truly open search index would benefit researchers, allowing for more flexibility and creativity in data use without infringing copyright laws. Overall, there is a clear demand for localized, privacy-centric search engines that compete with larger U.S.-based counterparts.