Digital cities, collaborative public administration – InnoK at the Smart Country Convention 2026

How can digitalisation support the way cities work and help improve public services? This was the question explored at the Smart Country Convention (SCCON) 2026, held in Berlin from 13 to 15 October 2026. InnoK was represented at the three-day event by Rónavári-Kedves László, MBA, Institute Director.

According to the organisers, the conference and exhibition drew more than 30,000 participants, over 900 speakers and more than 650 exhibitors. The event placed the digital transformation of the public sector at its centre, creating an opportunity for public administration, municipal and technology actors to exchange experience. This year’s partner country was Portugal.

Day one: digital transformation is a shared responsibility

One of the defining questions of the opening day was how digitalisation can contribute to a more effective state and public administration.

In the organisers’ summary, Dr Karsten Wildberger underlined the importance of a better functioning state. Gonçalo Saraiva Matias, Portuguese minister, drew attention to the fact that the foundations of public administration systems were not laid in the digital age, which makes the deliberate management of the transition a shared responsibility.

At municipal level this calls for the joint development of services, institutional processes and the way authorities stay in contact with residents.

Day two: from strategy to practical application

The second day turned attention to the conditions for delivering digital transformation and to the practical use of European technological innovation.

Kai Wegner, Governing Mayor of Berlin, called for stronger powers for the federal government to advance digitalisation nationwide. João Rui Ferreira, Portuguese Secretary of State for the Economy, highlighted the importance of Europe’s capacity to develop and apply technology.

The day closed with the Smart Country Startup Award ceremony, won by Enviotech. The presence of startups also pointed to the potential in cooperation between public administration and innovative businesses.

Day three: security and resilience

The closing day featured Resilience Day for the first time. Its central theme was the protection of businesses and critical infrastructure, and the strengthening of their resilience.

For cities this is a particularly important consideration: alongside the development of digital services, their secure and uninterrupted operation must also be ensured. In assessing technological developments, accessibility, reliability and operability therefore matter equally.

What does all this mean for District 18?

From InnoK’s perspective, the themes of the conference are tied together by one practical question: how can digital opportunities become developments that are genuinely useful for the local community?

The programme in Berlin offered points of connection for the cooperation between Urban Lab, Living Lab and Civic Lab: identifying local needs, involving residents and testing new solutions.

As we process what we learned, we are looking at which approaches can support the development of district public services, the design of digital city services and cooperation between institutions. The aim is to apply international examples in a way that fits local conditions, with results that residents can notice in their everyday lives.

Sources

Smart Country Convention (SCCON) 2026, Berlin, 13–15 October 2026: programme summaries and press materials from the organisers (Bitkom, Messe Berlin), together with first-hand experience of the event.