Event
AI, Algorithms, & Data

Modern Public Services in Europe: Perspectives from the Work Floor

On 29 and 30 April, the conference “Modern Public Services in Europe: Perspectives from the Work Floor” took place in Berlin at the Friedrich Ebert Foundation.

Group picture with all participants — Creator: Hanna Niepenberg, EPSU

On 29 and 30 April, the conference “Modern Public Services in Europe: Perspectives from the Work Floor” took place in Berlin at the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, jointly organised by ver.di, EPSU, and FES Future of Work, bringing together trade union representatives, researchers, and experts from across Europe.

Why the topic matters

The digitalisation of public administration has become a central pillar of modern governance, promising more efficient, transparent, and citizen-oriented services while also raising fundamental questions about democratic control, digital sovereignty, and the role of the state in the digital age.

As highlighted in the opening remarks by FES Future of Work’s director Knut Dethlefsen, digitalisation is no longer merely a technical issue. Rather, it directly affects accessibility, trust in public institutions, and the quality of democratic governance. At the same time, with the growing political momentum new opportunities to advance and better coordinate digital transformation emerge.

For trade unions and civil society, this means taking an active role in shaping these processes in the interest of workers and the public.

A European platform for exchange

The conference created a space for exchange between trade unionists from Germany and across Europe, focusing on a key question: how can the digital transformation in public services be designed with social responsibility in mind?

International perspectives played a central role. Participants from countries including Norway, Sweden, Spain, Turkey, and Belgium shared their experiences with digitalisation, artificial intelligence, and administrative reform, highlighting both common challenges and diverse approaches.

Key inputs and discussions

The programme featured a keynote by Sabine Kuhlmann (University of Potsdam), who addressed the state of digital public services and transformation in local government. Afterwards, Diego Naranjo provided a European perspective, focusing on the AI Act, digital transition, and workers’ rights.

Further contributions from Jan Willem Goudriaan and Christine Behle enriched the debate, particularly by contributing insights on the role of trade unions in shaping technological change.

Learning from European experiences

Central to the conference was the presentation of the initial findings from a joint research project by ver.di and FES Future of Work, examining national experiences with digitalisation, automation, and the use of AI in public administration across Europe.

Country studies from Austria, Spain, Denmark, and Estonia explore key questions:

How does digitalisation affect municipal public service employees?
Do automation and digital workflows change staffing levels?
What role can trade unions and social partners play in shaping these developments?

Preliminary results suggest that, despite differences in administrative systems, many challenges and developments manifest similarly across countries. Digitalisation is clearly transforming work processes—but it does not automatically lead to staff reductions or shorter working hours.

Workshops and key takeaways

On the second day, workshops with trade union colleagues deepened discussions on employment, pay, job classification, organisational change, training, and good practices.

Several key insights emerged:

Digital transformation often leads to a reorganisation of work rather than a reduction in staff
Early and meaningful involvement of workers is essential to build trust and strengthen workplace democracy
Digital exclusion remains a significant challenge, particularly for vulnerable groups
Human-centred approaches and accessible public services must remain a priority

Looking ahead

The conference underlines the importance of a European dialogue and cooperation for shaping the future of public services to learn from one another what works—and what does not.

As digital transformation continues to accelerate, ensuring fair working conditions, strong worker participation, and inclusive public services will be key to building effective and democratic administrations across Europe.