re:publica 2025 is Europe's largest conference on digital culture, internet society, and the impact of technology on democracy and everyday life. Organised by republica GmbH, this landmark event takes place from 26–28 May 2025 in Berlin and draws thousands of attendees including activists, journalists, technologists, artists, policymakers, educators, and engaged citizens from across Europe and beyond.
Since its founding in 2007, re:publica has established itself as the premier European forum for critical and creative engagement with digital topics. The conference features an extensive programme of talks, panels, workshops, art installations, and performances spread across multiple stages. Smart city-related sessions form an important strand of the programme, covering themes such as digital democracy and online civic participation, surveillance technology and its implications for urban freedom, open data activism and the fight for transparent government, the future of urban digital infrastructure and public digital commons, algorithmic governance and the accountability of automated decision-making systems, and the intersection of digital rights with housing, mobility, and public space.
re:publica is distinguished by its inclusive and participatory ethos, welcoming voices from academia, civil society, the arts, and grassroots activism alongside technology industry perspectives. This breadth of participation ensures that digital topics are examined not only through a technical lens but also through the perspectives of culture, ethics, and social justice.
This event is particularly relevant for smart city professionals seeking to understand the societal and political dimensions of urban digitalisation, as well as anyone interested in how technology shapes public discourse and democratic participation. Berlin's position as a creative capital and a hub of digital rights activism makes it the natural home for this essential gathering of Europe's digital society.