The Berlin Senate Chancellery's digital division plays a pivotal role in shaping Berlin's digital future through strategic management of the 'Gemeinsam Digital: Berlin' smart city programme (2022-2026). This local government entity, led by the State Secretary and Chief Digital Officer Martina Klement, is the driving force behind coordinating digitalisation efforts, administrative modernisation, and the city's commitment to open-source principles. As such, it is a key player in fostering urban innovation within the German capital.
With a staff of between 51 and 200, the division oversees a broad spectrum of activities, from funding initiatives such as CityLAB Berlin to directly supervising more than 30 pilot projects focused on smart city solutions. Its work is essential for the implementation of effective policy and the development of digital infrastructure across Berlin. By concentrating on these key areas, the division aims to improve the lives of Berliners, enhance the efficiency of public services, and establish Berlin as a leading smart city within Europe. The successes and lessons learned from Berlin’s approach are therefore of great value to other European cities embarking on their own smart city journeys.