From Data to Action – Symposium on Digital Citizen Participation

The research consortium “Success Factors for Local E-Participation” (ErLE) cordially invites you to its symposium in Berlin on February 11, 2026. Under the motto “From Data to Action,” we will present the results of the first nationwide comprehensive survey on digital participation and discuss strategic directions for municipal practice.

The Venue: In the Political Heart of Berlin The event will take place at the VKU Forum (Invalidenstraße 91). Located in the immediate vicinity of the main central station, the federal ministries, and the Charité, this central location underscores the event's strategic ambition: to foster a genuine dialogue between municipal practice and federal policy-making. The forum's professional, light-flooded ambience and modern architecture provide the ideal setting for networking and the transfer of research results.

Morning Session: Facts, Tools, and Strategies The day begins with an exclusive insight into the status quo of the German participation landscape. The focus will be on the presentation of key research results as well as the launch of the new multimodal dashboard—an innovative instrument designed to support municipalities in their future strategic planning. Subsequently, a high-profile panel discussion will address the question of what conditions are necessary for successful digital participation. Moderated by Prof. Dr. Marianne Kneuer, experts from various sectors will discuss the issues:

• Theresa Lotichius (Wer denkt Was? GmbH)

• Dr. Oliver Märker (Zebralog GmbH)

• Alexander Handschuh (German Association of Towns and Municipalities / DStGB)

• Dr. Matthias Großklaus (Agora Digitale Transformation)

Afternoon Session: Deep Dive and Practical Transfer After a networking break with lunch, we invite you to develop concrete solutions in intensive workshops. The sessions cover the most pressing topics:

• Actors: What motives drive or hinder actors in municipalities?

• Processes: How are digital potentials (mobilization, inclusion, transparency) translated into effective procedures?

• Expectations: Best practices for identifying and managing stakeholder expectations.

• Artificial Intelligence: Benefits, risks, and framework conditions for AI in participation processes.

More info: www.lokale-partizipation.de