Hubs for tomorrow

The Hubs for tomorrow (Zukunftszentren) support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), their employees and self-employed people working on their own in managing the digital, ecological and demographic transformation. The focus is on introducing and using digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) in everyday working life.

Businesses receive practical advice, training and ongoing support to help them use new technologies in a human-centred way and develop the skills they need. The Hubs for tomorrow support technological change while also helping businesses and employees play an active role in shaping change and strengthening their capacity for innovation and competitiveness.

Target groups

The programme is aimed at:

• businesses, particularly SMEs
• employees and their representative bodies, including works councils
• self-employed people, particularly those working on their own

Activities

Funding is provided for activities that

• support businesses through processes of change and development
• help introduce and use digital technologies and AI-based systems
• strengthen the ability of businesses, employees and self-employed people to learn independently and shape change
• maintain and strengthen businesses’ performance and capacity for innovation
• promote participatory approaches to managing change
• develop the skills needed to navigate change

How the programme supports businesses

Examples of services offered by the Hubs for tomorrow include:

• introductory advice to raise awareness and help businesses find suitable support
• advice and ongoing support for businesses
• training
• help with introducing digital technologies and AI-based systems
• support for participatory approaches to managing change
• sharing knowledge and practical insights from labour and organisational research
• services to help self-employed people working on their own strengthen their ability to shape digital change

The Hubs for tomorrow form a nationwide support network for businesses, employees and self-employed people. They build on the experience of the 2014–2020 funding period and the federal "Hubs for tomorrow (AI)" programme, bringing together expertise in digital transformation, artificial intelligence and modern approaches to work organisation. The experience and practical examples gathered through the programme are documented and made available to anyone interested. This also benefits businesses and employees who do not participate directly in the projects.

Businesses and self-employed people working on their own who are interested in the services offered by the Hubs for tomorrow must contact a project directly.

Current projects and locations

Regional Hubs for tomorrow

The 12 regional Hubs for tomorrow advise businesses locally and help them introduce digital technologies and AI applications. They focus on practical solutions, human-centred work organisation and the active involvement of employees. Together with businesses and their employees, they test innovative approaches to organising work and support processes of change in the workplace.

Centre for the Future of Work

The Centre for the Future of Work (Zentrum Zukunft der Arbeitswelt) brings together knowledge and experience from the regional Hubs for tomorrow. It compiles findings, practical examples and successful solutions and makes them available to businesses, employees, the regional Hubs for tomorrow and other labour market stakeholders. The experience and examples of good practice also support the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs in developing new labour market approaches and measures.

House of the Self-Employed

The House of the Self-Employed (Haus der Selbstständigen) helps self-employed people, particularly those working on their own, navigate digital change. It promotes networking and the establishment of representative organisations. It also encourages discussion of good working conditions and fair remuneration structures. Four regional contact points provide support across Germany. They are located in Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne and Leipzig.

What the Hubs for tomorrow have achieved so far

The results to date demonstrate the extensive reach of the Hubs for tomorrow and the strong demand for their services across all Germany’s Länder (as at March 2026). More than 23,000 introductory and guidance consultations have been provided, and around 1,300 small and medium-sized enterprises have received support. Approximately 10,700 employees have taken part in continuing training. In a survey, 82 percent of participating businesses said that the advice and support had been successful or largely successful.