NExT e.V. (Netzwerk – Experten für die Transformation) is a German non-profit association that connects public sector employees across federal, state, and municipal levels of government to share knowledge and jointly drive the digital transformation of public administration. Founded and based in Berlin, the network functions as a practitioner-led platform from within the public sector for the public sector.
The association organises regular events, both online and in-person, that serve as its primary mechanism for knowledge exchange. Thematic communities cover topics including AI and digital ethics, open source in government, knowledge management, and information security. NExT also hosts larger conferences, such as its annual autumn conference, which brings together members, partners, and guests for presentations, discussions, and workshops.
NExT publishes discussion papers and practical guides on key digital government topics. Notable publications include a handbook on implementing digital champion programmes to drive cultural change in government organisations, a paper on vertical integration to improve federated administrative digitalisation in Germany, and a policy paper proposing a federal digital ministry. These publications translate practitioner experience into actionable recommendations.
The association also runs the InfoSec Impact Award in partnership with the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), recognising innovative IT security solutions for public administration.
For smart city practitioners, NExT is relevant because effective urban digital transformation depends on modernised, digitally capable government processes. The network provides a channel for understanding how administrative reform, digital skills development, and cross-government collaboration can support or hinder smart city strategies at the municipal level.
Primary link: https://next-netz.de/