Politics for Tomorrow

What Politics for Tomorrow does

Politics for Tomorrow is a Berlin-based non-partisan initiative founded in 2015 that advances the innovation capacity of the public sector to facilitate socio-ecological transformation. It works at the intersection of government and civil society, serving German federal ministries (notably the Federal Ministry for the Environment / Umweltbundesamt and the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs), state authorities (e.g., Berlin Senate, Digitalagentur Brandenburg), public innovation labs (CityLAB Berlin, GovLabAustria), educational institutions (University of Potsdam, FU Berlin, U.S. OPM), international bodies (OECD OPSI, UNDP, GIZ, European Commission), and civil society organisations across DACH, the EU, Nepal, and the Baltic Sea Region. The organisation builds decision-making structures, multi-stakeholder alliances, and learning capabilities that bridge emergency response with long-term transformative change.

Its 'technology' is a portfolio of proprietary methodologies and knowledge products rather than software: the Iterative Outward-Inward-Forward Work Phases, Planetary Civics Framework, Signal Spotters foresight approach, Public-Interest-Design Charter, and the Copenhagen Manual international standard for public sector innovation measurement (adopted by 20 countries). Operational outputs include training programmes (TrafoWerk, Love Politics, Think Tank Lab), knowledge products (Public Service Design Handbook with CityLAB Berlin containing 50+ templates), learning platforms (Creative Bureaucracy Festival Academy), and project collaborations with ministries and international organisations on smart city strategy, agile transformation, climate adaptation, and Open Government.

Politics for Tomorrow operates as a registered non-profit association (eingetragener Verein) in Berlin-Charlottenburg, c/o nextlearning e.V. Revenue is generated entirely from professional-services project fees and continuing-education programmes delivered through institutional partnerships; no public pricing exists and there are no commercial distribution channels. The go-to-market is community-led and relationship-driven, anchored in long-term collaborations with ministries, public innovation labs, and civil society networks, supported by thought-leadership channels (the Creative Bureaucracy Festival, LabCamp, Open Government Network Germany, LinkedIn, newsletter, and handbook publications). No venture capital, private equity, or external investors are identified; governance is through a board (Lene Krogh Jeppesen, Jeff Kwasi Klein, Sabine Junginger, Oliver Rack, Julika Schmitz) with management by Caroline Paulick-Thiel and Eva Köppen.

Name

Politics for Tomorrow

Legal name

Politics for Tomorrow

Website

https://politicsfortomorrow.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Politics for Tomorrow is a Berlin-based non-profit consultancy that builds decision-making structures and learning capabilities to advance innovation capacity in the public sector, serving German federal ministries, state authorities, international organisations, and civil society networks across socio-ecological transformation programmes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Sector Innovation Consulting

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), Other General Government Support (92119)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Management Services (8741)

akta.pro primary industry

Democratic Governance & Public Administration Reform (BPADAGAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Governance, Democracy & Rule of Law (BPAGABAI), Public Affairs, Government Relations & Lobbying (BPAFADAB)

Keywords

• Public sector innovation
• Governance consulting
• Strategic design
• Organizational transformation
• Capacity building

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Project-based Public Sector Contracts: The primary revenue stream consists of commissioned projects from public institutions including German federal ministries, state authorities, federal offices, and municipalities. Projects include strategy development, facilitation, capacity building, and research. Revenue is generated through contractual project fees negotiated on a per-engagement basis.
2. Continuing Education and Training Programmes: Design and delivery of teaching units, block seminars, workshops, and short inputs as part of continuing education programmes offered by partner institutions including European Academy Berlin, University of Potsdam, Freie Universität Berlin, and U.S. Office for Personnel Management. Revenue is generated through programme fees.
3. Consulting Services: Optional further education and consulting services for individuals or organisations, both domestically in Germany and internationally. Provided as optional add-on services alongside core project work.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Politics for Tomorrow is a non-partisan consultancy that designs and facilitates transformative governance processes and decision-making structures for public sector organizations. It delivers commissioned projects covering strategy development, process facilitation, capacity building, training programmes, organizational development, and research, primarily for German federal ministries, state authorities, public innovation labs, and international organizations. Its work applies strategic design, design thinking, systems thinking, and agile methods to enable socio-ecological transformation.

Product overview

Politics for Tomorrow is a non-partisan initiative focused on advancing innovation capacity in the public sector to facilitate transformative change. Rather than a single unified software product, the organization offers a portfolio of services including training programs (Transformation Workshop/TrafoWerk, Love Politics Training Programme), learning platforms (Creative Bureaucracy Festival Academy, Think Tank Lab), knowledge products (Public Service Design Handbook), strategic initiatives (10×100 Lab, Plan B 2030, Signal Spotters, Planetary Civics), and project collaborations with ministries, federal authorities, and international organizations. The portfolio operates as an integrated ecosystem of capacity-building, governance innovation, community weaving, and research & evaluation services designed to strengthen public sector transformation capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 10×100 Lab @ European Forum Alpbach A multi-year initiative developing foundations for collaborative coordination and systemic action in a new era of risks, working to make large-scale change processes more effective.
• TrafoWerk Transformation Training Programme (Transformationen wagen) A training program for employees at all levels within public administrations to strengthen competencies in dealing with and shaping societal transformations, combining basic knowledge with methodological skills for transformative action.
• Public Service Design Handbook A handbook published with CityLAB Berlin containing background knowledge and 50+ templates for innovative work in public administration, enabling practitioners to conduct innovation processes independently.
• Creative Bureaucracy Festival Academy Experiential learning space during the Creative Bureaucracy Festival providing interactive exploration of new methods and approaches for public sector innovation, serving 2000+ individuals since 2018.
• Love Politics Training Programme Non-partisan training program supporting talented politicians from Germany, Austria and Switzerland, preparing them for 21st-century politics challenges through 9 modules over 9 months.
• Think Tank Lab (with Think Tank School) A platform and learning space supporting co-creative development of the think tank sector in Germany, including the Think Tank School six-month training programme.
• Signal Spotters Foresight Approach Innovative approach to strategic foresight working at the interface between traditional forecasting methods and specialized scenario workshops, developing adaptive mindsets to perceive and respond to emerging trends.
• Planetary Civics Inquiry and community focused on principles of planetary stewardship and governance, promoting global thinking that understands planetary systems as the basis for governance.
• Plan B 2030 Coordination Network A non-profit coordination network bringing together individuals from different organizations to drive climate-friendly change in Berlin through cross-sector cooperation.
• Copenhagen Manual International standard for measuring and developing innovations in the public sector, co-created with 20 countries to support implementation of Innovation Barometer.
• Vibrant Public Administration in Polarised Times Project dedicated to how public administrations can promote vibrant democratic coexistence in politically volatile times, helping public servants develop proactive capabilities.
• Innovation Barometer (Innovationskompass) Initiative evaluating impact of public innovations, including workshops and pre-tests for statistical assessment of public innovation capabilities in the DACH region.
• Public Service Design Course (GIZ Seneca.gov) Course developed for GIZ's Seneca.gov Sector Network providing public service design training with 7 workshop days and intensive participant support.
• EU Policy Labs Multi-stakeholder workshops for the European Commission providing experimental spaces for actors from EU bureaucracy, scientists, and NGO representatives to address policy challenges.
• NewHoRRIzon Project (Social Lab on Climate Action) Research project integrating Responsible Research and Innovation into research and innovation systems, with Social Labs addressing complex social challenges.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2000 individuals served through Creative Bureaucracy Festival Academy since 2018
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CityLAB Berlin / Technologiestiftung BerlincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing strategic partnership with CityLAB Berlin for public sector innovation projects. Co-published the 'Public Service Design' handbook with 50+ templates for public administration. Collaborated on the LabCamp community network for public innovation labs. CityLAB serves as a key co-creation partner for Berlin-based initiatives.
• OECD Observatory of Public Sector Innovation (OPSI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive collaboration with OECD OPSI on the Government After Shock global initiative, co-coordinating the Germany/Austria/Switzerland/Denmark hub. Contributed to OECD Declaration on Public Sector Innovation and Innovation Barometer development.
• Dark Matter Labs (DML)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing collaboration on transformative governance and regenerative development projects. Dark Matter Labs team members work within the Politics for Tomorrow ecosystem. Collaborative projects include Trees-as-Infrastructure and Planetary Civics.
• GovLabAustria / Center for Public Innovation DenmarkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-creation of the Copenhagen Manual (2019-2021), an applied guide and international standard for measuring and developing innovations in the public sector, created with participation of 20 countries. Partnership on Innovation Barometer pre-testing in DACH region.
• ZOE Institute for Future-fit EconomiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration since 2019 within various Policy Labs for the European Commission. Multi-stakeholder workshops providing experimental spaces for EU bureaucracy, scientists, businesses, and NGOs to address topics including growth constraints, green recovery, and 1.5-degree lifestyles.
• Research Center for Environmental Policy (FFU) at Freie Universität BerlincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing research collaboration on environmental policy and transformation. Led the TrafoWerk project development, implementation, and evaluation in partnership with FFU, Institute Futur, Education Innovation Lab, University of Kassel, and Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts.
• Federation of German Scientists (VDW)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on the NewHoRRIzon project (2018-2020) integrating Responsible Research and Innovation into research and innovation systems. Caroline Paulick-Thiel moderated the Social Lab on Climate Action, Environment, Resource Efficiency and Raw Materials.
• German Chancellery / Open Government Network GermanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive member of Open Government Network Germany since 2018, with Oliver Rack in the strategy group maintaining regular exchanges with Federal Chancellery, states, and international OGP representatives. Contributed to Germany's OGP commitment and global steering committee participation.
• European Forum AlpbachcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-year collaboration on the 10×100 Lab at the European Forum Alpbach (since 2022) developing foundations for collaborative coordination and systemic action in a new era of risks. 2024 focused on testing workshop formats supporting public institutions in facilitating systemic change.
• DGAP Think Tank LabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConceptual and strategic partner since Think Tank Lab's 2021 inception. Involved in strategic conception of Think Tank School six-month training programme and European Think Tank Conference. Supporting School implementation with specific learning units.
• Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) Center for ComplexitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Planetary Civics initiative alongside Dark Matter Labs and RMIT (Australia, Vietnam, Europe, US). Develops and evaluates planetary governance strategies and radical civic practices.
• EU Interreg / Heinrich-Böll Stiftung SHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeadership of first work package defining a Public-Interest-Design Charter within the INTERREG Baltic Sea Region 'Liveability' project (2023-2025). Partnership with five pilot partner cities for public-interest design in service of the common good.
• GIZ (Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerClient partner for KUSOM Policy Lab project in Nepal (promoting evidence-based policies at Kathmandu University School of Management) and Seneca.gov Sector Network (Public Service Design course for GIZ employees).
• Digitalagentur Brandenburg (DABB)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSince 2020, guided DABB in integrating agile culture vertically and horizontally into everyday operations, including analysis and restructuring of projects, programmes, and internal processes. Facilitation of quarterly meetings and creation of Roadmap document.
• Karuna Sozialgenossenschaft eG / Berlin SenateminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on Netzwerk der Wärme (2023), designing and conducting scientific support for the Berlin Relief Package network of social interaction, exchange, self-help, and cultural activity places for Berlin residents facing rising energy costs.
• Plan B 2030coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner of PLAN B 2030, a non-profit coordination network for a social climate turnaround in Berlin. Involved in implementation alliance with Berlin state, promoting cross-sector cooperation between civil society, administration, and politics.
• Federal Association of Non-statutory Welfare (BAGFW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 2018, advising six leading social welfare associations (AWO, Caritas, Diakonie, German Red Cross, Parität, Central Welfare Office of Jews in Germany) within BMFSFJ funding programme on digital transformation and organisational development.
• Umweltbundesamt (UBA) / German Environment AgencycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLed the federal public authority network 'Climate Change and Adaptation' transformation workshop (2024) for 25 higher-level authorities. Previous partnership on TrafoWerk programme development and evaluation (2017-2024).
• Venro / CONCORDminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerModerated workshops on EU Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development and Trade as part of the EU Trio Presidency Project (Germany, Portugal, Slovenia) funded by the European Commission, in collaboration with CONCORD.
• Federal Foundation for Gender Equality (Bundesstiftung Gleichstellung)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDesigning and moderating working sessions of the Expert Commission (SVK) for the Fourth Gender Equality Report (2024), focusing on gender equality for all people in the socio-ecological transformation.
• Deutsches Theater BerlinminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAccompanied the Deutsches Theater Berlin's sustainability transformation process (2023-2024) with a series of workshops focused on building skills for transformative action and self-organisation using the Theatre Green Book framework.
• Deutscher StädtetagminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConceived and moderated meetings of the Arbeitskreis Digitalisierung (Digitisation Working Group) in late 2020, developing an agile and self-organised approach to replace traditional working group formats.
• Creative Bureaucracy Festival (Charles Landry)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding member of the Creative Bureaucracy Festival since 2017. Since 2018, operating the Creative Bureaucracy Festival Academy as an experiential learning space during the festival, exploring new methods and approaches with 2000+ participants.
• UNDP (United Nations Development Programme)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational collaboration with UNDP on decolonial and regenerative approaches to governance and access to justice, working alongside federal ministries, Federal Chancellery, and Office of the Federal President.
• Leuphana University LüneburgminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through Rojda Tosun leading the LawLab for Sustainability Transformation at Leuphana University Lüneburg, developing design-based legal education for the next generation of policymakers.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• OECD Observatory of Public Sector Innovation (OPSI): Intergovernmental hub for public-sector innovation measurement and benchmarking. Active strategic partner on Government After Shock and Innovation Barometer; comparable mandate but operating as an IGO.
• IDEO: Global design and innovation consultancy with a public-sector practice pioneering human-centered design in government. Comparable methodology, far larger scale and commercial footprint.
• Nesta: UK-based innovation foundation with significant public-sector innovation, mission-driven government, and democratic governance programmes. Comparable thematic scope at a much larger institutional scale.

Direct peers

• Dark Matter Labs: London- and Berlin-based practice developing transformative governance and regenerative infrastructure. Active co-development partner on Planetary Civics and Trees-as-Infrastructure, operating in the same design-for-public-good niche.
• Danish Design Centre: Denmark's national design centre applying design methods to public-sector challenges. Comparable mission around design-driven public innovation and joint contributor to Copenhagen Manual.
• Staatslabor Schweiz: Swiss public-innovation lab network and LabCamp community partner. Comparable operating model, geography, and audience of Swiss federal/cantonal administrations.
• GovLab Austria / Innovate Austria: Austria's public-sector innovation lab, co-creator of the Copenhagen Manual and DACH Innovation Barometer pre-test. Closely comparable in mission, methodology, and DACH geography.
• CityLAB Berlin: Berlin-based public innovation lab of Technologiestiftung Berlin and long-standing strategic partner. Co-publisher of the Public Service Design handbook and co-organiser of LabCamp.

Regional players

• Bundesakademie für öffentliche Verwaltung (BAköV): Federal Academy of Public Administration in Germany training civil servants. Tangential overlap with Politics for Tomorrow's TrafoWerk and public-administration training offerings for the same German federal audience.

Emerging players

• The Young Foundation: UK research and action organisation working on social innovation, public service reform, and democratic governance. Comparable focus on transforming public systems but primarily UK-facing.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/politicsfortomorrow
• Xx.com/politics4tmrw

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Politics for Tomorrow