Exploring digital transformation in Germany - MPP students visit Digitalagentur Thüringen

The Digitalagentur Thüringen operates as a state-owned enterprise tasked with driving digital transformation in the state of Thuringia. During the session, students learned about the agency’s multifaceted role, ranging from stakeholder engagement and digital strategy consultation to IT project management and public communication. A key point of discussion was how the agency navigates the complexities of policy-making in a decentralized environment, building trust and partnerships across different government departments. Students also learned about Digitalagentur’s flagship efforts and targeted administrative capacity-building programs and policy proposals, some of which were developed in collaboration with Brandt School capstone groups. 

The visit ended with a lively discussion on how digital strategies are adapted to local realities, and what kind of cultural changes are needed to support innovation within government. For students, this experience highlighted the importance of connecting public policy education with real-world institutions that are actively shaping the future of governance in the digital age.