Brandt School Project Group Presents Open Government Recommendations to Digitalagentur Thüringen

On February 03, 2026, the Brandt School's Open Government Project Group presented its  comprehensive findings for its capstone project examining how Thuringia can advance its transformation into a genuine "data sharing state." Led by Dr. Hasnain Bokhari, Head of Digital Policy and AI, the students developed a structured framework of prioritized recommendations for Digitalagentur Thüringen GmbH.

The project adopted a multi-dimensional analytical approach, examining open data through three critical perspectives. The regulatory analysis explored open data requirements and opportunities across EU, federal, and state levels, mapping the complex compliance landscape facing Thuringia. The strategic assessment evaluated open data's integration within Thuringia's broader digitalization agenda and e-government initiatives, examining how data sharing aligns with state policy priorities. The technical investigation focused on data standards, infrastructure requirements, and interoperability challenges, particularly regarding connectivity to national and European data portals.

The resulting deliverable provides Digitalagentur Thüringen GmbH with evidence-based, prioritized recommendations that offer both diagnostic clarity and actionable guidance. The analysis assesses Thuringia's current position within Germany's open data landscape while identifying feasible next steps for sustainable, interoperable, and strategically effective open data implementation. To inform their analysis, the project group traveled to Berlin for expert consultations with Open Data Informationsstelle Berlin and Open Knowledge Foundation Deutschland. They complemented these in-person meetings with virtual interviews featuring experts from DigitalAgentur Brandenburg and other leading open government practitioners across Germany.

This capstone project represents the fourth collaboration between Dr. Bokhari and Digitalagentur GmbH Thüringen. Previous project groups have examined Thuringia's digitalization strategy, digital competencies for state administration, and digital transformation in vocational education. This sustained partnership demonstrates the Brandt School's ongoing commitment to supporting Thuringia's digital policy development through rigorous student-led research and analysis.