WERKSTATT DES WANDELS

Connecting Local Experience With National Debate

Germany is undergoing a profound transformation. Industry, energy systems, agriculture and entire regions are being reshaped by the transition to climate neutrality, digitalization and changing geopolitical realities. Werkstatt des Wandels brings leaders and experts to the places where these changes are already happening. By connecting local experience with national debate, the format creates space for dialogue, practical insights and cross-sector collaboration on one of Germany's defining questions: how can transformation strengthen competitiveness, resilience and social cohesion at the same time?

Werkstatt des Wandels

ABOUT THE FORMAT

Each edition takes participants to a location where transformation is already underway. Through site visits, discussions with local leaders and cross-sector dialogue, participants gain first-hand insights into the challenges and opportunities shaping Germany's future.Rather than discussing transformation in theory, the program creates opportunities to engage directly with the people, technologies and ideas driving change. Every edition connects practical experience with broader political and economic questions, strengthening collaboration across business, government, science and civil society.

TOPICS

Industrial Transformation

How can Germany remain an innovative and competitive industrial nation while becoming climate-neutral?

Energy Security

How do clean, affordable and reliable energy systems become the foundation for economic resilience and long-term prosperity?

Regional Transformation

How can regions undergoing structural change create new opportunities, strengthen local economies and maintain social cohesion?

Innovation in Practice

How can solutions developed on the ground inform better political decisions and accelerate transformation across sectors?

PAST EDITIONS

Launched in 2023 at the initiative of Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Werkstatt des Wandels has travelled across Germany to explore different dimensions of the country's transformation.Since 2025, the BMW Foundation has continued and further developed the format with a stronger focus on industrial transformation and practical solutions. Recent workshops have examined industrial energy systems at Aurubis in Hamburg, the future of Germany's chemical industry in Burghausen, and in 2026 will explore topics including agriculture and renewable energy, digital sovereignty and artificial intelligence, and the transformation of the Schwedt energy region.