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Collaborative Governance Lab (CO:LAB)

idea collection Laboratorium

Innovation lab for modern public administration at BASE

What is an innovation lab?

A public innovation lab provides a space for using new methods, procedures and ideas to meet complex challenges. Based on the idea of a scientific laboratory, where contexts are explored experimentally, a free space is created to conceive and test good administrative solutions. Such "administrative laboratories" focus on a comprehensive understanding of problems by involving stakeholders and citizens, and on the creative development of new solutions, e.g. by testing prototypes, followed by a systematic evaluation and reflection. Examples of other "laboratories" in the German administration are the think tank of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the Cyber Innovation Hub of the German Armed Forces or the GovLab of the Arnsberg district government in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Participation, cooperation and transparency are core principles of a modern public administration. How can they be effectively anchored and further developed within an organisation? The Collaborative Governance Lab is an experimental space at BASE, where innovative working practices and collaboration processes are developed.

Towards collaborative governance

The lab supports BASE in its duties to integrate the principles of participation, collaboration and transparency, and to continue its development as a modern public authority. With regard to the search for a repository site for high-level radioactive waste for example, BASE must establish transparency and consider a diversity of voices and perspectives, which it obtains by involving the public, civil society or the expert public. Through participation, collaboration and co-creation, public administration can solve complex societal problems in an effective and citizen-oriented manner, and support a culture of democratic participation.

Tasks of the Collaborative Governance Lab

The Collaborative Governance Lab aims to strengthen the cooperation between state and society. To this end, it supports internal innovation processes at BASE. As an innovation unit of the federal administration, the lab also offers external advice and support. At the same time, it serves as an interface between the experiences of BASE and international research and practice in the field of governance innovation. In organisational terms, the Laboratory is part of the Vice President's Office.

The Collaborative Governance Lab

  • Provides advice and support for planning and implementing participation and collaboration processes,
  • accompanies the development of agile working methods within public administration,
  • supports BASE as a learning organisation,
  • promotes exchange with governmental, civil society and academic actors, and makes internally gained knowledge accessible to them (publications, exchange of experience and knowledge).

State of 2023.02.17

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