Digital sovereignty of local authorities in Europe - ReMeP
Digital sovereignty of local authorities in Europe
Digital sovereignty of local authorities is a central issue in the digital transformation of public administrations in Europe. It describes the ability of cities and municipalities to use digital technologies in a self-determined, legally compliant manner that serves the common good. At a time when administrative services are increasingly being digitised, this sovereignty is not only a technical and political challenge, but above all a legal one.
Submit your topic for the “Law As Code” hackathon here & help to shape digital sovereignty!
What does digital sovereignty of local authorities mean?
Digital sovereignty means that local authorities are able to control and strategically design their digital systems and data independently, without dependence on individual providers or proprietary systems. This includes, among other things, the sovereign handling of IT infrastructures, data processing and digital administrative processes. It is not only about technological independence, but also about transparency, legal compliance and citizen proximity.
‘Digital sovereignty’ vs. ‘digital transformation’
In contrast to general digital transformation, digital sovereignty focuses on freedom of design and decision-making authority. While digitalisation merely describes the introduction of technical solutions, digital sovereignty starts one step earlier: it asks about control over technology, data and infrastructure.
Strengthening digital sovereignty: strategic measures
According to the strategy paper of the German Federal Ministry of the Interior and Homeland Affairs (BMI) on strengthening digital sovereignty, the following measures are among the core tasks:
- Development of interoperable, open IT architectures in municipalities
- Use and promotion of open source software
- Establishment of municipal data strategies
- Strengthening IT expertise in administration
- Creating a legal framework for self-determined digital administrative processes
These measures form the basis for a resilient, efficient and citizen-oriented digital administration.
How do the ReMeP Conference 2025 and the ‘Law As Code’ hackathon contribute to strengthening the digital sovereignty of municipalities?
The ReMeP Annual Conference 2025 is dedicated to precisely these challenges with its main theme of ‘Digital sovereignty of municipalities in Europe’. It brings together research, administration and practice to discuss and further develop concrete solutions.
A special focus will be on the ‘Law As Code’ hackathon, which will take place parallel to the conference. Here, interdisciplinary teams from the fields of law, computer science and administration will develop digital prototypes that address real legal challenges faced by municipal administrations. The results of the hackathon will thus make a direct contribution to the digital capacity of municipal institutions.
Strengthening the digital sovereignty of local authorities is a strategic issue for the future – not only at national level, but also at European level. ReMeP – Research Meets Practice and the ‘Law As Code’ hackathon offer a practical platform for promoting concrete approaches, testing them jointly and anchoring them sustainably.
Further information on the ReMeP – Research Meets Practice platform and participation in the ‘Law As Code’ hackathon can be found here.
