Call for Participation

Calling all creative bureaucrats and allies at all levels!

Call for Participation

The Call for Participation for the 2023 programme is now closed. Thank you to everyone who submitted their proposal! The next Call for Participation will open in autumn 2023.

Every year we are again calling on public sector changemakers to nominate their projects and innovative groundbreaking ideas to become part of our programme at the Digital Kick-Off Day in March (online). Six entries will also have the chance to be part of the Creative Bureaucracy Festival in June (live in Berlin!) via a community voting.

We are looking for “Creative Bureaucrats and their allies”: Public sector changemakers, at all levels, who are helping to shift how public administrations think, plan and act. We are looking for ideas, methods, tools: Where can we find effective and creative practical examples? From small adjustments to big visions for the future: Projects that inspire, encourage and motivate us. Every year, the Creative Bureaucracy Festival gives a platform to such changemakers and puts their ideas in the spotlight.

YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THRIVING POSSIBLE FUTURES

Mutual trust, innovative solutions and collective action towards strengthening our democracies is more important than ever before. Together we want to rethink the principles, processes, and practices of our public institutions. In a time of multiple crises and rapid change, we need administrations with humility, open-mindedness and courage to try new things and take bold decisions for the common good!

The Creative Bureaucracy Festival is a place where trust within and in governments is created and strengthened through:

…an open discussion about the topics administrations need to catch up on,
…highlighting heroes and heroines of creative bureaucracy and their ideas,
…knowledge sharing and calls to take action.

For our programme we want to share knowledge in an even stronger and more conscious way – through inspiring presentations and project examples, through workshops for collective sensemaking, and through a shared commitment to be bolder in our day-to-day work, to question the established, and to try out new methods and ways of thinking.

At the Creative Bureaucracy Festival, we are asking questions such as:
How do we want to shape interdisciplinary transformation processes in order to actively confront the climate crisis, among other pressing issues? What people and resources does the public sector need in order to change – and how do we get them? How do we build trust in areas like open data and how do we create inclusion, diversity, equity and belonging at all levels?

HOW CAN I SUBMIT A PROPOSAL?

Until when can I apply?

The Call for Participation for the 2023 programme is now closed. Thank you to everyone who submitted their proposal! The next Call for Participation will open in autumn 2023.

How can I send an application?

To submit your project or project idea, we ask you to complete our proposal form any time before the deadline (the form will be available when the new Call for Participation opens)! The proposal form asks for some general project information, an overview of your vision, approach, and its impact, and a sense of the supporting materials that are available.

What should I keep in mind when applying?

The best way to make a great proposal is using a clear structure that can anchor your ideas – for this reason we ask you to follow our simple pattern: “ISSUE, IDEA, IMPACT” when sharing your approach.

What challenge or untapped opportunity does your project address? This can have already happened, be ongoing, or relate to a vision in the future.
What creative idea has been or is being applied to address the challenge?
What lasting impact has been achieved, is evident in practice, or is expected in the future?
And, importantly: How could other creative bureaucrats adapt your approach and make practical use of your learnings?

For inspiration, take a look at our 10 key festival topic themes where you can find more details on what we mean with “creative bureaucracy”, including examples from our previous festival editions. Which 1-2 themes best fit your contribution?

Can I only submit an existing project?

We welcome proposals in the following categories:

Projects that have been completed,
Projects that are currently running,
Visionary, innovative project ideas for the future.

In which languages can I submit a proposal?

You can submit your proposal in English or German.

How are the entries selected?

The next step consists of a full review by our Creative Bureaucracy Festival Jury. When reviewing the submitted proposals, our jury will aim to select a balanced programme for the Digital Kick-Off Day by taking into account our festival criteria as well as factors that support our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Where will the selected entries be presented?

All jury selected submissions will be invited to become part of our Digital Kick-Off Day in March and receive a digital programme slot for 5-10 minutes. All contributions will be part of an official voting – including votes from the jury process, and a further community voting as part of the Digital Kick-Off Day.

Six winning submissions (three German and three international entries) will be announced at the end of that day and consequently invited to present their ideas on the big Creative Bureaucracy Festival Stage in Berlin in June!

Do you know of a great project or an urgent topic that should definitely be included? Forward our Call for Participation to the relevant creative bureaucrat, or fill out our idea form (the form will be available when the new Call for Participation opens).

For questions about your submission, write to us at programme@creativebureaucracy.org. If you would like to participate in this year’s festival as a partner organisation on a larger scale, please contact partnerships@creativebureaucracy.org.

Call for Participation

Call for Participation

YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THRIVING POSSIBLE FUTURES

HOW CAN I SUBMIT A PROPOSAL?

Jury

Selection Criteria

10 Festival Topic Areas