What is the full name and common abbreviation of Germany's main development agency?

Germany's main development agency is officially known as the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, which is commonly abbreviated as GIZ. The name literally means 'German Society for International Cooperation'.

When was GIZ established and what is its legal status?

GIZ was established on January 1, 2011, and operates as a Federal Enterprise with the legal status of a GmbH, which is a German limited liability company.

Where are GIZ's main headquarters located?

GIZ's main headquarters are located in two German cities: Bonn and Eschborn.

Who is the current Chair of the Management Board for GIZ?

The current Chair of the Management Board for GIZ is Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel.

What was GIZ's budget in 2020 and its staff count in 2021?

In 2020, GIZ had a budget of 3.3 billion Euros. As of December 31, 2021, it employed 24,977 staff members.

According to the OECD, how did Germany's official development assistance (ODA) change in 2022?

According to the OECD, Germany's total official development assistance (ODA) increased in 2022, reaching USD 35 billion. This increase was attributed to higher in-donor refugee costs and increased contributions to international organizations, representing 0.83% of gross national income (GNI).

Who is GIZ's main commissioning party?

GIZ's main commissioning party is Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

Who oversaw the merger that created GIZ?

The merger that created GIZ was overseen by Dirk Niebel, who served as the federal development minister from 2009 to 2013.

What was the business volume and global presence of GIZ in 2019?

In 2019, GIZ had a business volume exceeding 3.1 billion Euros and employed 22,199 individuals across more than 120 countries, making it one of the world's largest development agencies.

Beyond its headquarters, where else does GIZ maintain offices?

In addition to its headquarters in Bonn and Eschborn, GIZ has an office in Berlin and 16 other locations across Germany. Internationally, it maintains a representation in Brussels and operates 90 offices worldwide.

How is GIZ governed as a limited liability company (GmbH)?

As a GmbH, GIZ is governed by a management board that acts on behalf of its shareholders and is overseen by a supervisory board. It also has a board of trustees and a Private Sector Advisory Board.

Who are the two managing directors on GIZ's management board?

The two managing directors on GIZ's management board are Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel, who serves as the Chairperson, and Ingrid-Gabriela Hoven.

Who was the inaugural chairperson of GIZ, and what was her background?

The inaugural chairperson of GIZ was Tanja Gönner, a former state-level minister of the Christian Democrats. She came to GIZ without prior experience in international development and later left in November 2022 to lead the German industry lobby BDI.

How is GIZ structured internally?

GIZ is structured into eight corporate units, including Corporate Development, Corporate Communications, Legal Affairs and Insurance, Compliance and Integrity, Auditing, Evaluation, Corporate Security, and the Academy for International Cooperation (AIZ). It also has ten departments, such as Commissioning Parties and Business Development, Sectoral Development, Sector and Global Programmes, and regional departments for Africa, Asia, Latin America, Caribbean, Europe, Mediterranean, and Central Asia, along with International Services and Human Resources.

What is GIZ's involvement with sequa gGmbH and EUNIDA?

GIZ holds a 49% share in sequa gGmbH, which is an implementing partner of the German business community. Additionally, GIZ is a member of the European Network of Implementing Development Agencies (EUNIDA), an organization co-founded by GTZ in 2000.

Name some networks and associations that GIZ has been involved in creating or supporting.

GIZ has been involved in the creation or support of various networks and associations, including the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21), BIOPAT, Alumniportal Germany, and the Sustainable Sanitation Alliance.

What global agendas does GIZ support in its work?

GIZ supports global agendas such as South-South cooperation, which involves bilateral cooperation between developing countries and emerging economies, and triangular cooperation, which includes developing countries as beneficiaries, emerging economies as 'new donors,' and traditional donors like Germany providing expertise.

How has GIZ integrated sport-based approaches into its development work?

GIZ was one of the first major development agencies to integrate sport-based approaches, with projects dating back to the mid-1970s. Since 1996, it has implemented sport-related activities in 34 countries through both a sport-specific sector program and the integration of sport into other sectors.

How does GIZ differentiate its work from that of the KfW development bank?

GIZ works closely with the German government-owned development bank KfW. GIZ implements projects on behalf of the BMZ that fall under 'technical cooperation,' focusing on capacity development, while KfW implements BMZ projects related to 'financial cooperation,' which typically involves loans and grants.

What is SuRe® and GIZ's role in it?

SuRe® is The Standard for Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure, a global voluntary standard that integrates sustainability and resilience criteria into infrastructure development. GIZ is currently represented in the SuRe® Stakeholder Council, and the standard is developed by GIB Foundation and Natixis as part of a multi-stakeholder process.

What is the Eschborn Dialogue?

The Eschborn Dialogue is a two-day annual event hosted by GIZ since 1988, bringing together international experts to discuss specific topics in international cooperation, such as 'World in motion: mobility, migration, digital change' or 'Raw materials and resources: growth, values, competition'.

What controversy did GIZ face regarding its staff in Afghanistan in 2021-2022?

In 2021, after German troops ended their presence in Afghanistan and the Taliban took over, GIZ was criticized in 2022 for continuing to hire new local staff in Afghanistan, despite the persecution of former local staff by the Taliban and Germany allowing some to immigrate.

What criticisms did the Bundesrechnungshof (German Court of Audit) raise against GIZ in 2023?

In 2023, the Bundesrechnungshof criticized GIZ for not producing data to evaluate its economic efficiency and for lacking mechanisms to encourage cost-cutting. The Court also noted that some controlling numbers appeared designed to facilitate higher annual bonuses for the three GIZ directors.

What was the salary progression for Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel as a GIZ board member?

Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel, who became a GIZ board member in 2019, was paid 230,000 Euros in 2022, which increased to 242,000 Euros per year in 2023, in addition to pension claims.

Describe the controversy involving Baraa Odeh, a Palestinian GIZ employee, in March 2024.

In March 2024, Baraa Odeh, a Palestinian GIZ employee of ten years, was arrested by Israeli border guards after a trip and administratively detained for three months without charge, reportedly subjected to abusive and humiliating treatment. GIZ stated it would work to clarify the situation, and Germany's development ministry expressed criticism of administrative detention.

What types of international institutions does GIZ cooperate with?

At the international level, GIZ cooperates with institutions such as the European Union, various UN agencies, and other international bodies like the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFFATM).

How does GIZ engage with the private sector in its development work?

Cooperation with private enterprises is an emerging field for GIZ, promoted under the concept of sustainable development. GIZ is structured with International Services (IS) and the Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives to facilitate this engagement.

How many staff members did GIZ employ in 2012, and what was their geographical distribution?

In 2012, GIZ employed 23,614 staff members across approximately 120 countries. The majority, 80%, of these employees worked outside of Germany, with close to 70% being local forces.

What is the role of the Centrum für internationale Migration und Entwicklung in GIZ's staffing?

The Centrum für internationale Migration und Entwicklung (CIM) complements GIZ's local staff and development aid workers by helping to integrate employees into the workforce in developing countries, specializing in international cooperation activities related to global labor mobility.

What security risks have GIZ staff members faced in the past?

GIZ staff members are exposed to the security situations of the countries they work in and have faced violence, including abduction in Afghanistan in 2015 and a fatal assault in Niger in 2018.

What is the purpose of GIZ in the context of international cooperation?

GIZ provides services in the field of international development cooperation and international education work, aiming to offer effective solutions that improve people's prospects and living conditions sustainably.

What was the previous attempt to merge the Deutscher Entwicklungsdienst (DED) before GIZ's formation?

Before the successful merger that formed GIZ, the predecessor of Dirk Niebel, the federal development minister, had previously attempted and failed to merge the Deutscher Entwicklungsdienst (DED) with the KfW development bank.

What types of partners does GIZ work with in its projects?

In its projects, GIZ works with a diverse range of partners, including national governments, actors from the private sector, civil society organizations, and research institutions.

What is the significance of GIZ's representation in Brussels?

GIZ's representation in Brussels signifies its engagement with European Union institutions, which are among its commissioning parties, allowing for closer cooperation on international development initiatives within the EU framework.

How does GIZ's objective to foster private sector development align with its stakeholdings?

GIZ's objective to foster private sector development is reflected in its 49% share in sequa gGmbH, which is the implementing partner of the German business community. This aligns with GIZ's goal to cooperate closely with business chambers and associations abroad.

What is the difference between 'technical cooperation' and 'financial cooperation' as implemented by GIZ and KfW, respectively?

In German development cooperation, 'technical cooperation' refers to capacity development projects, which GIZ implements. 'Financial cooperation,' on the other hand, involves financial aid like loans and grants, and these projects are implemented by the KfW development bank.

What is the role of the Private Sector Advisory Board within GIZ's governance structure?

The Private Sector Advisory Board is one of the official bodies that govern GIZ, alongside the management board, supervisory board, and board of trustees, indicating GIZ's commitment to incorporating private sector perspectives and expertise in its operations.

What was the political affiliation and previous role of Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel before becoming a GIZ board member?

Before becoming a GIZ board member, Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel was a former Social Democrat local politician, and he was previously one of three managing directors at GIZ.

How does GIZ's work contribute to sustainable and resilient infrastructure development?

GIZ contributes to sustainable and resilient infrastructure development through its representation in the SuRe® Stakeholder Council. SuRe® is a global voluntary standard that integrates key criteria of sustainability and resilience into infrastructure development and upgrades.

In what year did GTZ co-found the European Network of Implementing Development Agencies (EUNIDA)?

GTZ, one of the organizations that later merged to form GIZ, co-founded the European Network of Implementing Development Agencies (EUNIDA) in the year 2000.

What is the significance of GIZ being a 'Federal Enterprise'?

Being a 'Federal Enterprise' means GIZ is a governmental organization owned by the German federal government, which underscores its role as a key instrument of Germany's foreign and development policy.

How many countries did GIZ operate in as of 2012?

As of 2012, GIZ operated in approximately 120 countries worldwide.

What is the primary focus of GIZ's 'International Services' and 'Public Private Partnership' initiatives?

The 'International Services' and 'Public Private Partnership' (PPP) initiatives within GIZ are primarily focused on promoting cooperation with private enterprises, particularly in the context of sustainable development.

What was the context of Tanja Gönner's departure from politics before joining GIZ?

Tanja Gönner, GIZ's inaugural chairperson, left politics during protests against the Stuttgart 21 train station project before she joined GIZ.

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Introducing GIZ

Germany's Development Arm

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, literally translated as the 'German Society for International Cooperation', stands as Germany's principal development agency. Headquartered in Bonn and Eschborn, Germany, GIZ delivers comprehensive services in international development cooperation and education. Its overarching objective is to provide effective solutions that enhance opportunities for individuals and sustainably improve their living conditions across the globe.

Scale and Reach

Established on January 1, 2011, GIZ has rapidly grown into one of the world's largest development agencies. By 2020, it managed a business volume exceeding €3.3 billion, with a staff count of 24,977 as of December 31, 2021. A significant proportion of its workforce, approximately 80%, operates outside Germany, reflecting its extensive global footprint across more than 120 countries.

Global Impact

Germany's commitment to official development assistance (ODA) saw an increase in 2022, reaching USD 35 billion, which represented 0.83% of its gross national income (GNI). This growth was primarily driven by rising in-donor refugee costs and increased contributions to international organizations. GIZ plays a pivotal role in channeling these resources towards impactful development projects worldwide.

Core Mission

Capacity Development

At the heart of GIZ's operational philosophy is capacity development. This core discipline focuses on strengthening the abilities of individuals, organizations, and societies in partner countries to achieve their development goals. This involves fostering knowledge transfer, skill-building, and institutional strengthening to enable self-sufficient progress and sustainable change.

Sustainable Living Conditions

GIZ's self-declared goal emphasizes delivering effective solutions that offer people better prospects and sustainably improve their living conditions. This holistic approach addresses a wide array of challenges, from economic development and environmental protection to health, education, and good governance, all aimed at fostering long-term resilience and well-being.

International Education

Beyond direct development projects, GIZ is deeply involved in international education work. This includes initiatives that promote global learning, cultural exchange, and the development of educational infrastructure, contributing to a more informed and interconnected global community capable of addressing complex challenges.

Organizational Structure

Global Footprint

GIZ maintains its primary headquarters in Bonn and Eschborn, Germany, complemented by an office in Berlin and 16 other locations across the country. Internationally, it operates 90 offices worldwide, including a representation in Brussels, ensuring a broad operational reach and close engagement with local partners.

Governance Framework

As a GmbH (limited liability company) under German law, GIZ is governed by a management board, which acts on behalf of its sole shareholder, the Federal Republic of Germany (represented by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF)). A supervisory board oversees the management board, ensuring accountability and strategic alignment. Additionally, GIZ benefits from the guidance of a board of trustees and a Private Sector Advisory Board.

Leadership and Departments

The management board is currently chaired by Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel, alongside Ingrid-Gabriela Hoven. The organization is systematically structured into eight corporate units, including Corporate Development, Corporate Communications, Legal Affairs and Insurance, Compliance and Integrity, Auditing, Evaluation, Corporate Security, and the Academy for International Cooperation (AIZ). These are supported by ten specialized departments covering areas such as Commissioning Parties and Business Development, Sectoral Development, and regional focus areas like Africa, Asia, Latin America, Caribbean, Europe, Mediterranean, and Central Asia, as well as International Services and Human Resources.

Evolution & Growth

A Strategic Merger

GIZ was formed on January 1, 2011, through the strategic merger of three prominent German international development organizations: the Deutscher Entwicklungsdienst (DED), the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ), and Internationale Weiterbildung und Entwicklung (InWEnt). This consolidation aimed to streamline Germany's development efforts and enhance efficiency, a process overseen by then-federal development minister Dirk Niebel.

From Concept to Global Leader

The merger represented a significant step in Germany's approach to international cooperation, building on previous attempts to integrate development agencies. The successful consolidation positioned GIZ as a formidable entity in the global development landscape, leveraging the combined expertise and resources of its predecessor organizations to achieve greater impact and reach.

Continuous Adaptation

GIZ's journey reflects a continuous adaptation to evolving global development challenges and priorities. Its growth in business volume and employee numbers underscores its expanding role and influence in fostering sustainable development, international education, and capacity building across diverse regions and sectors.

Key Initiatives

Network Facilitation

GIZ actively participates in and supports the creation of various global networks, associations, and portals, often providing secretariat functions for a limited duration. Notable examples include the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21), BIOPAT (Patrons for Biodiversity), Alumniportal Germany, and the Sustainable Sanitation Alliance. These engagements foster collaboration and knowledge sharing on critical global issues.

Global Cooperation Models

GIZ champions innovative cooperation models such as South-South cooperation, which involves bilateral partnerships between developing countries and emerging economies. It also supports triangular cooperation, where developing countries act as beneficiaries, emerging economies as "new donors," and traditional donors like Germany contribute expertise. Furthermore, GIZ was an early adopter of sport-based approaches in development, implementing related activities in 34 countries since 1996.

Infrastructure & Dialogue

GIZ is represented in the SuRe® Stakeholder Council, contributing to "The Standard for Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure," a global voluntary standard integrating sustainability and resilience into infrastructure development. Annually since 1988, GIZ also hosts the Eschborn Dialogue, a two-day event bringing together international experts to discuss pressing topics in international cooperation, such as global mobility, migration, digital change, and resource management.

Funding & Partnerships

German Government Mandates

GIZ primarily operates under the mandate of Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Beyond this, it undertakes commissions from other German government departments, including the Federal Foreign Office, the Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMU), and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi), as well as from German states and municipalities.

International & Private Sector Clients

On the international stage, GIZ collaborates with a diverse range of partners, including European Union institutions, various United Nations agencies, and other international bodies such as the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFFATM). An increasingly important area is cooperation with the private sector, promoted under the banner of sustainable development through its International Services (IS) and Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives.

Strategic Alliances

GIZ maintains a close working relationship with the German government-owned development bank KfW. While GIZ focuses on "technical cooperation" (capacity development) projects for the BMZ, KfW implements "financial cooperation" projects. GIZ also holds a 49% share in sequa gGmbH, a key implementing partner for the German business community, and is a founding member of the European Network of Implementing Development Agencies (EUNIDA).

Oversight & Challenges

Operational Criticisms

GIZ has faced scrutiny regarding its operational practices. In 2022, it drew criticism for continuing to hire local staff in Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover in 2021, a period when Germany was facilitating the immigration of former local staff due to persecution risks. This raised questions about the agency's risk assessment and duty of care in complex environments.

Financial Scrutiny

In 2023, the Bundesrechnungshof (German Federal Court of Audit) concluded that GIZ lacked sufficient data to evaluate its economic efficiency. The audit noted an absence of mechanisms to encourage cost-cutting and observed that certain controlling figures appeared designed to facilitate higher annual bonuses for the three GIZ directors. For instance, Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel's salary as a board member increased from €230,000 in 2022 to €242,000 in 2023, in addition to pension claims.

Staff Security & Rights

Operating in approximately 120 countries, GIZ staff are frequently exposed to diverse security situations, which have unfortunately included incidents of violence such as abduction (e.g., Afghanistan in 2015) and fatal assault (e.g., Niger in 2018). More recently, in March 2024, a Palestinian GIZ employee was administratively detained by Israeli border guards without charge, prompting GIZ to commit to clarifying the situation and Germany's development ministry to express criticism of administrative detention practices under international humanitarian law.

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References

Palestinian employee of German development agency âabusedâ in Israeli jail

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Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not professional advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional consultation regarding international development, organizational management, or policy analysis. Always refer to official GIZ publications and consult with qualified experts for specific inquiries or project needs. Never disregard professional advice because of something you have read on this website.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.

Global Partnerships for Progress

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

Introducing GIZ ℹ️

🇩🇪 Germany's Development Arm

📊 Scale and Reach

🌐 Global Impact

Core Mission 🎯

🧠 Capacity Development

🌱 Sustainable Living Conditions

🎓 International Education

Organizational Structure 🏢

📍 Global Footprint

🏛️ Governance Framework

👥 Leadership and Departments

Evolution & Growth 📈

🔄 A Strategic Merger

🚀 From Concept to Global Leader

💡 Continuous Adaptation

Key Initiatives 🤝

🔗 Network Facilitation

🌍 Global Cooperation Models

🏗️ Infrastructure & Dialogue

Funding & Partnerships 💰

🇩🇪 German Government Mandates

🌎 International & Private Sector Clients

🤝 Strategic Alliances

Oversight & Challenges ⚖️

⚠️ Operational Criticisms

💰 Financial Scrutiny

🛡️ Staff Security & Rights

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

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📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Introducing GIZ

Germany's Development Arm

Scale and Reach

Global Impact

Core Mission

Capacity Development

Sustainable Living Conditions

International Education

Organizational Structure

Global Footprint

Governance Framework

Leadership and Departments

Evolution & Growth

A Strategic Merger

From Concept to Global Leader

Continuous Adaptation

Key Initiatives

Network Facilitation

Global Cooperation Models

Infrastructure & Dialogue

Funding & Partnerships

German Government Mandates

International & Private Sector Clients

Strategic Alliances

Oversight & Challenges

Operational Criticisms

Financial Scrutiny

Staff Security & Rights

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice