Felix Appel: Shaping the digital future of Bavarian administration

About Felix Appel

Felix Appel #StraightOuttaOberfranken, is the Deputy Director and Head of Public Relations & Strategy at BayKommun. For over 16 years, he has worked in various roles to modernize Bavarian administration. His career began in municipal administration, and he is now building his second agency under contract for the Free State of Bavaria with BayKommun. Additionally, he consults the public sector and those who wish to work with it through his company, Franconia One.

What is BayKommun? How would you explain your work to a layperson?

BayKommun is a unique public institution that acts as a "government startup" for Bavarian municipalities. Its core mission is to support municipalities in adopting online services developed under the "one for all" principle, thereby accelerating the rollout of digital government services. Put simply: We help Bavarian municipalities navigate the digital world more effectively.

How does a "government startup" like yours manage to open up often slow-moving administrative structures to digital innovation?

The key word here is trust. We work closely with municipalities, understand their needs, and meet them where they are. At the same time, we introduce fresh, practical approaches often inspired by the private sector but adapted to the specifics of administration. We give municipalities the feeling that they are not facing digital changes alone but that we are paving the way to the future together. Agility and pragmatism are also essential.

On a scale of 1 to 10, how well-equipped is Bavarian administration for digitalization, and what steps are needed to reach a 10?

I would say we’re currently at a solid 6.5. The groundwork has been laid, and there are many positive developments, but there is still significant room for improvement. To reach a 10, we need clear, binding digital standards, more willingness to automate, and the determination to thoroughly reassess outdated processes. At the same time, we must focus on the people in the administration, as acceptance and the necessary know-how are essential for taking the final steps toward digitalization.

Is there something Bavaria could learn from other federal states? And what could other states learn from Bavaria?

In digitalisation, we can only learn with and from each other. Pointing fingers at each other or saying ‘we're better than you’ doesn't get anyone anywhere. What I would like to see more of is a holistic and strategic approach for Germany. Where we as Bavaria are definitely leading the way is in strong municipal networking. BayKoNet is an example of how effective cooperation between local authorities can be. Other federal states can certainly take a leaf out of our book here.

The buzzword "artificial intelligence" is everywhere when it comes to administrative modernization. Do you believe AI will be a real 'game-changer' in public administration?

Yes, definitely. AI can be a real 'game-changer' when used correctly. It can automate routine tasks, shorten application processing times, and reduce the workload of administrative staff. But there must always be a clear human-centered approach. We must remember that administration exists to serve citizens, and AI should help improve services, not make them less personal.

There is often public criticism when authorities use U.S. solutions and tools. What is your view on this? Should we focus more on regional solutions, or do we need the U.S. players?

I believe we need to find a healthy balance. International players offer stable and proven systems, but we should also support regional solutions, which increasingly provide competitive alternatives. Where possible, regional alternatives should be considered.

Even if we do not focus solely on the origin of a solution, it is essential to keep data protection and long-term usability in mind. The origin of a solution can significantly impact which data protection regulations it is subject to.

What advice would you give to regional start-ups, tech companies, and government agencies to work together and drive innovation forward?

My advice would be: open up to each other and work together rather than alongside each other. Start-ups should be willing to understand the specific needs of the administration and offer solutions that are not only technically advanced but also practically applicable. At the same time, authorities need to show openness to new approaches and technologies and be willing to make mistakes and learn from them. Collaboration at eye level is key.

Final question: Imagine you received unlimited funding for a single crazy digital project in Bavarian administration. What would you do with it?

I would develop a statewide, fully automated digital citizen communication system – a kind of "Digital Citizen Assistant." This system could process all common requests and administrative processes in real-time and be individually customizable for each Bavarian municipality. It would be so user-friendly that every citizen could complete their requests digitally from start to finish – without bureaucracy, without waiting times.