Frag den Staat

FragDenStaat is an innovative project of the Open Knowledge Foundation Germany (OKFDE), which has been active since August 1, 2011. It serves to promote freedom of information in Germany and enables citizens to easily and efficiently exercise their right to access official information.

• Request Platform: The central platform of FragDenStaat makes it easier for users to submit requests to authorities based on various freedom of information laws. The platform offers a comprehensive database of authorities, pre-filled forms, and automated email addresses to simplify the process[1][3][4].
• Transparency and Documentation: All requests and responses are documented online and presented transparently, promoting public oversight and learning from the practice of freedom of information[2][3].
• Campaigns and Research: The project develops its own campaigns, conducts research, and creates tools such as the transparency ranking to advance freedom of information in Germany. Examples include the "Topf Secret" campaign for the publication of hygiene inspection reports and the publication of reports from the scientific service of the Bundestag[1][3].

The main mission of FragDenStaat is to strengthen freedom of information in Germany and to facilitate citizens' access to information from authorities. The project is based on the values of transparency, accountability, and citizen participation. It aims for citizens to be able to freely inform themselves about government actions and for authorities to fulfill their obligations under freedom of information laws[2][3].

• Legal Enforcement: FragDenStaat has filed lawsuits in numerous cases to enforce freedom of information. This includes lawsuits at the EU level, such as against Frontex or the EU Parliament. These efforts have led to landmark rulings and the publication of important documents[2][3].
• Public Relations and Education: The project raises awareness among new target groups about the topic of freedom of information through summer schools, media collaborations, and the publication of articles and blogs. It also promotes the development of tools such as the lawsuit generator, which helps users file inactivity lawsuits[2][3].
• Transparency and Accountability: Through the public documentation of requests and responses, as well as ongoing reporting on new cases and lawsuits, FragDenStaat contributes to increasing transparency and accountability in public administration[2][3].

FragDenStaat has significantly grown in recent years and expanded its reach. The team has added new staff members, and the platform records millions of page views and thousands of active users. The initiative has also gained press status, which strengthens its legitimacy in obtaining information from authorities[2].

Through its comprehensive efforts for transparency and freedom of information, FragDenStaat makes a significant contribution to strengthening democratic structures in Germany.

• 1 - https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/FragDenStaat
• 2 - https://2022.okfn.de/projekte/fragdenstaat/
• 3 - https://okfn.de/projekte/fragdenstaat/
• 4 - https://fragdenstaat.de/informationsfreiheit/einsteiger-guide/
• 5 - https://fragdenstaat.de/anfragen/an/bundesnetzagentur/