Five billion euros are set to be channelled into the digitalisation of schools over the next five years. Yet the Digital Pact 2.0 is more than just an investment programme. It can demonstrate how different levels of government can work together to tackle future challenges more quickly and effectively.

Escaping the trap of federalism

In the first Digital Pact for Schools, federalism became a problem: the federal government, the Länder and local authorities were dependent on one another, whilst at the same time responsibilities remained unclear. Extensive reporting requirements, complicated application procedures and 16 different implementation systems hampered investment. The outflow of funds fell short of expectations – and digital participation continued to depend heavily on a school’s location and the resources available locally.

The Digital Pact 2.0 is intended to simplify these structures. States can pass funds on to school authorities more flexibly. Technical and pedagogical implementation concepts are no longer prescribed nationwide; software, educational media, IT administration and consultancy are now eligible for funding in their own right. Instead of four reports per year, only one is now required. At the same time, measure IDs are intended to enable continuous monitoring.

Trust rather than micromanagement

Above all, trust is needed to ensure that this leads to genuine digital participation. The federal government must give the federal states the freedom to implement these measures – and the federal states must pass this trust on to the local authorities. The new opportunities will be of little help if complicated funding procedures are reintroduced at federal state level.

At the same time, trust requires transparency. Standardised indicators, an online dashboard and comparable data could reveal whether digitalisation is actually reaching schools and learners. Common procedures, rather than 16 different solutions, would also ease the burden.

From the smart classroom to the smart state

If this approach succeeds, the Digital Pact 2.0 could become a blueprint: The federal government sets verifiable targets and standards, the federal states organise implementation with minimal red tape, and local authorities are given greater scope for action.

This principle can be applied to other future challenges – from the digitalisation of public administration to smart cities and resilient infrastructure. After all, digital participation requires not only technology, but also a state that facilitates cooperation. If Germany’s schools become smarter, federalism can therefore become smarter too.

Would you like to find out more about digital inclusion? In the special edition of *Behörden Spiegel*’s “NEUE HORIZONTE” dedicated to the Smart Country Convention, you’ll find the full article by Leah Schrimpf and Luis Erckenbrecht, as well as contributions from the Minister for Digital Affairs, Dr Karsten Wildberger, our partner country Portugal, and many other partners of the Smart Country Convention 2026.

You can register here free of charge for the pre-event magazine for #SCCON26.