New Tools for Complex Digital Challenges

As digital technologies reshape our economy and society at an increasing speed, policymakers find themselves navigating increasingly complex systems with inadequate tools. Traditional policy approaches fail to capture the interconnected nature of digital ecosystems, leading to unintended consequences and missed opportunities.

The Leitmotiv School of Thought offers a new framework that breaks the digital economy into its fundamental components—products, technologies, business models, and infrastructure—enabling policymakers to craft targeted, effective interventions that align with societal values.

Already adopted by the Commonwealth and tested with policymakers from Germany, the Netherlands, and the European Commission, this methodology has proven its value in real-world applications. As one German ministry official noted after our summer school in North Holland: "This framework finally gave us a common language to discuss digital infrastructure across departments."

We stand at a critical juncture where the policies we craft today will determine whether digital technology serves our societies or undermines them for decades to come.

This event is a closed-door, invitation-only Masterclass for select policymakers under Chatham House Rules and spots are limited. Together with TNO, we will moderate this interactive Masterclass, consisting of an introduction to the methodology and an interactive workshop where you can apply the framework to specific policy challenges regarding sustainable ICT.

Register here to secure your spot →

Supported by TNO — Innovation for Life

This Masterclass would not be possible without the support of TNO and the Sustainable ICT Program. One of the ambitions of this program is to facilitate policymakers in comprehending the environmental impact of the ICT sector. With this masterclass, we aim to connect research and professional practice. We thank Shanita Rambharos, Amber Geurts and the TNO team for their hospitality and support.

What Policymakers Are Saying

Jan Altgeld, German Ministry of the Environment & Consumer Protection

"From July 5th to 7th, I participated in the "North Holland School on Digital Infrastructure," organized by Leitmotiv and the North Holland region. I learned a lot about the digital sector there, particularly how business models function and how the sector could be designed more sustainably.

Additionally, the summer school was very helpful for exchanging perspectives and developing new ideas for shaping a human-centered and sustainable digital future. [...] Max Schulze, the director of Leitmotiv, is a globally recognized expert in digital infrastructure. He is not only knowledgeable in environmental and financing issues but, as a former software engineer, also in the technical details.

The knowledge acquired during the summer school has been very useful in my daily work, for example, in incorporating sustainability criteria into funding guidelines or identifying additional energy-saving measures in data centers."

Is This Right For You?

This masterclass is designed for:

• Policymakers within economic, energy and industrial policy fields who struggle with questions like: "How do we balance industrial development with sustainability in digital infrastructure?" or "What policy levers can effectively shape AI development while protecting our values?"

• Policymakers within digital and related fields, who are frustrated by siloed approaches that fail to address the interconnected nature of digital challenges.

• Regional policymakers and administrators who need practical tools to attract digital investment while ensuring it benefits local communities and aligns with regional values.

Program Outline

The Masterclass is limited to 20 participants to ensure meaningful interaction. Each registration is subject to approval by TNO and Leitmotiv.

Why you should attend:

• Master a proven framework that has already helped policymakers in three jurisdictions develop more coherent digital strategies.

• Work on your specific policy challenges with peers facing similar hurdles across Europe in a workshop format.

• Leave with concrete policy approaches you can implement immediately in your jurisdiction.

• Join a growing community of digital policy innovators shaping the future of European digital governance.

What to Bring

• Knowledge of your jurisdiction's current digital, economic and energy priorities

• Openness to collaborative problem-solving with peers

Location & Date

This event will be hosted in Den Haag at the premises of TNO (New Babylon, Anna van Buerenplein 1, 2595 DA The Hague).

Date: Wednesday, June 4, 2025

Time: 13:00–15:00

Venue: TNO New Babylon, Anna van Buerenplein 1, 2595 DA The Hague

Registration

Attendance is by invitation only. To request an invitation or nominate a colleague, please complete this brief application form.

Due to the interactive nature of this Masterclass, spaces are strictly limited to 20 participants. All registrations are subject to approval by Leitmotiv & TNO.

About Leitmotiv

Leitmotiv is an independent think-tank focused on operationalizing values in our digital future. We do this by raising awareness, empowering policymakers and creating knowledge which enables the operationalization of values in digital products, technologies, business models and infrastructure.

Leitmotiv is not affiliated with any commercial interests or industry associations. We pride ourselves as independent thinkers, focused on shaping a values-centered digital future for society. We are European, with representation in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium. Furthermore, we are funded through grants & advisory contracts from Dutch and German government entities. Our legal entities are recognized charities in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.

We run three dedicated programs, in addition to our policy work: The Sustainable Digital Infrastructure Alliance (SDIA) - a network of regional governments that we support in developing thriving digital ecosystems. S12Y - a program dedicated to creating a market environment in which sustainable digital products are thriving. And Digital Policy Leaders, a program to build the capacity of digital policymakers to shape our digital future.

About TNO

TNO, as a trusted, independent, and pioneering applied science and technology organization, plays a multifaceted role. At TNO, we create impactful innovations for the sustainable wellbeing and prosperity of society. We support the Dutch government in carrying out statutory and other government tasks in the public interest. And we help to boost the earning power of the Netherlands.