Since 2020, the staatslabor has supported the Federal Personnel Office in launching an Innovation Fellowship-Program in the Federal Administration. The program was developed in a multi-stage process with the involvement of relevant stakeholders. The Fellowship gives talents from outside the administration the opportunity to work on significant challenges that the Federal Administration faces over a period of 12 months. The first round started in 2022.

From 2021 to 2022, staatslabor supported the government council of the Canton of Lucerne in the development of a digital strategy. In a collaborative and cross-administrative process, we accompanied the development of a pioneering strategy for the canton's approach to digital change in the economy, society and public administration.

In 2021 and 2022, the staatslabor accompanied the Zurich Metropolitan Conference in the development of a "Vision 2050". In a participatory process involving the association's bodies, we developed a new vision which targets the challenges of the Zurich metropolitan area and formulates action-oriented responses to them. We also supported the Metropolitan Conference in implementing the new vision.

From 2020 to 2022, the staatslabor worked with the Federal Parliament services to promote innovation within the organization. To do so, we used the staatsBox, our tool that allows everyone to develop, discuss and test new approaches in a simple and structured way. Various projects resulting from these reflections have been implemented within the Parliament to improve its functioning.

Between 2019 and 2022 we supported the gender equality offices of the city and canton of Bern in setting up a platform for exchange and learning called Werkplatz Egalité. We involved companies in the process and asked the question: „How can we develop an offer that really corresponds to the needs of SME in terms of promoting equality and diversity at work?“ This platform is now well established and used by the Bernese business community.

In a pilot project between 2021 and 2022, we explored the expectations and needs of the youngest citizens regarding the state. We worked with a primary school class in the city of Thun and were interested in how far an online platform could promote direct exchange between children and the public administration and thus increase their participation in key areas such as ecology, spatial planning, education or the police.

In 2022, the staatslabor went on the road and opened its counter in several regions of Switzerland: We went to Neuchâtel, St. Gallen and Glarus and met the people who work daily for the public good within the administration. It was a great opportunity to discuss about collaboration, resource management, digitalization efforts and a culture of innovation. Our counter is now back in Bern and we look forward to welcoming you at Bundesgasse 16!

In 2021, the staatslabor launched the project Innovation Champions. In this project, young people support public administrations in making state services more modern and user-friendly. Since the start of the project, more than 20 young people and six administrative units from the canton of Aargau have already taken part. The pilot phase will last two years and is financially supported by the Lottery Fund of the canton Aargau and the federal government within the framework of the Child and Youth Promotion Act.

In March 2020, at the very beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, the Federal Department of Home Affairs (EDI) mandated the staatslabor to initiate and manage a COVID-19 Civil Society Contact Point, serving as a link between the federal administration and Swiss civil society initiatives. The Contact Point received requests from entities regarding the Federal Council Coronavirus Crisis Unit (KSBC) and allowed a targeted exchange between the public administration and civil society initiatives.

Between the end of 2020 and the beginning of 2021, staatslabor implemented a concept which had already proven its effectiveness abroad, the Dry January campaign. The initiative was adapted for the Swiss context in collaboration with key alcohol prevention organisations and extensive user testing. The campaign was a great success, with about a million participants in its first edition.

In close collaboration with the National Library’s management, the staatslabor designs and implements a participatory process to update the institution's strategy in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.

Our staatsBox is an entrepreneurial tool specifically designed for public servants. It is currently in prototyping and will be available shortly. Feel free to let us know if you are interested, so we can keep you updated (more).

In 2018, the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) commissioned the staatslabor to support the process of updating Switzerland’s national strategy on digitisation and new technologies.

Since 2018, staatslabor has been supporting the children and adult protection authority in the implementation of a more agile and user-oriented work culture.

Bibliomedia, foundation under public law, promotes reading and public libraries. The staatslabor offers its know-how in innovation processes to support the foundation's efforts.

The staatslabor has repeatedly had the opportunity to provide the City of Zurich with input on public innovation (artificial intelligence, behavioural science and organisational structures). In particular, we have worked with executives of the Finance Department and the City Council.