Curious & competent: new approaches to learning for a future-proof public administration

Public administration in Austria faces the challenge of remaining capable of taking action in an increasingly complex and dynamic environment. At the same time, existing structures show that efficiency and stability are often prioritised over learning, experimentation and questioning existing solutions. A pronounced aversion to error, rigid processes and a lack of scope for exploration make it difficult to develop new approaches and actively shape change.

Curiosity is not understood here as a single skill, but as a fundamental attitude that is a prerequisite for skills crucial to the future. In particular, learning skills, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities are significantly underpinned by a culture of curiosity. At present, however, there is no systematic embedding of this attitude in day-to-day administrative practice.

During a workshop held as part of INNOVATE 2025, it became clear that, within the public sector, curiosity has so far mostly been practised informally but is not structurally embedded. There is a lack of specific learning formats, institutional integration and incentive schemes. At the same time, there is a growing need to specifically promote learning ability, adaptability and innovative capacity in order to remain an attractive employer and to be able to respond to social and technological changes.

We are therefore seeking innovative learning and training concepts for the Federal Administration Academy that foster curiosity as an attitude and specifically link this to the elements of learning competence, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The aim is to develop a scalable learning programme that establishes curiosity as an integral part of leadership, collaboration and organisational development within the civil service.

What innovative learning and training approaches can foster curiosity as an attitude within the public sector, thereby sustainably strengthening learning skills, critical thinking and problem-solving skills?

The desired outcome of this challenge is an administration in which curiosity is embedded as a central element of a modern organisational culture. Curiosity is not viewed in isolation, but rather as an attitude that enables and promotes learning, reflection and solution-oriented action.
An innovative learning programme at the Federal Administration Academy is intended to lay the foundations for this. This programme goes beyond traditional training formats and systematically integrates curiosity into learning processes, leadership understanding and working methods. Ideally, it combines modern teaching approaches such as experiential learning, participatory formats, gamification elements and practical experimentation spaces.

In the target vision, curiosity comes into play on three levels:
• as the foundation for learning competence (self-directed development, openness to new ideas),
• as a prerequisite for critical thinking (reflecting on existing assumptions, questioning),
• as a driver for problem-solving ability (exploring new solution spaces, bold experimentation).

Furthermore, curiosity is embedded within the organisation’s structure, for example through standardised learning formats, supporting measures such as communities of practice, or new roles (e.g. ‘curiosity multipliers’). Managers play an active role by fostering curiosity, creating space for it, and setting an example of a constructive culture of learning from mistakes.

In the long term, the programme helps to strengthen the administration’s adaptability, capacity for innovation and resilience. At the same time, it has a positive impact on its appeal as an employer and enables a more open, participatory approach to engaging with citizens and stakeholders.

Seize this opportunity and showcase your innovative approaches!
The potential sponsor is looking for companies or collaboration partners who can develop and implement learning programmes, training concepts or combined solutions designed to foster curiosity as an attitude within organisations.

Description:
Submit your idea via the online form. Describe your learning concept, teaching methods and the overall approach to embedding curiosity and the associated skills of learning competence, critical thinking and problem-solving. Also address practical implementation, scalability and supporting measures (e.g. coaching, community formats).

Summary of added value:
Clearly outline what makes your solution special: How do you succeed in embedding curiosity in the long term? What innovative learning formats or methods do you use?
Practical examples, references and a realistic project timeline will assist the assessment.

Confidential information (for the jury only):
Further information may be provided confidentially or submitted as supplementary documentation.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
Submissions from consortia are permitted. Keep it brief (guideline: a maximum of 10–12 presentation slides or 4–5 A4 pages). This challenge is part of our market exploration phase. It is therefore not necessary to produce designs or feasibility studies developed specifically for this occasion.