AI-Generated Summary
FragDenStaat ("Ask the State") is a freedom of information (FOI) platform operated by the Open Knowledge Foundation Germany (OKF DE), a non-profit association based in Berlin. Founded in 2011 by Stefan Wehrmeyer, the platform enables any person — regardless of nationality — to file FOI requests to German federal and state authorities as well as EU institutions, without needing to navigate Germany's complex patchwork of information access laws. Since launch, it has processed over 250,000 requests and covers more than 830 federal agencies.
The platform goes beyond request filing. FragDenStaat combines its technical infrastructure with investigative journalism, strategic litigation and public campaigns that push the boundaries of government transparency. All requests and responses are published online by default, creating a searchable public archive of government information. The organisation brings strategic lawsuits against authorities that refuse disclosure, aiming to set legal precedents — notable cases have targeted the European Parliament's expense transparency and the publication of government-commissioned studies.
The platform is built on open-source software (available on GitHub), allowing other countries and organisations to adapt it for their own transparency initiatives. It integrates document analysis tools including OCR for scanned PDFs and collaborative annotation features.
FragDenStaat is currently led by director Arne Semsrott and is funded entirely through donations and grants. The organisation has received recognition from UNESCO, the European Commission and press freedom organisations. For smart city and urban development practitioners, it is a valuable tool for accessing building permits, planning documents, environmental assessments, government housing studies and public procurement data that are often difficult to obtain through normal channels.