How GIZ works

Driven by values, flexibility and implementation strength – GIZ has been working for over 10 years to achieve a future worth living.

As a federal enterprise, we act in the interests of the German Government. We are guided by the values laid down in the German Basic Law and by the values of the European Union. With our work we help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set out in the 2030 Agenda. We work on the basis of partnership and ensure economic efficiency and sustainability, both in our public-benefit business area and in our taxable business area.

In 2011, when the three predecessor organisations merged to form the federal enterprise GIZ, the workforce already had a wealth of experience in international cooperation. That is still very much the case today, more than a decade on. Thanks to the wide-ranging expertise of our staff and our countless institutional contacts worldwide, we are familiar with the circumstances on the ground in our countries of assignment. This enables us to develop solutions that are tailored precisely to the requirements of our commissioning parties and to implement these solutions in the partner countries.

The range of services we offer in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development and international education work has evolved steadily over the last 10 years. We deliver expertise in a wide range of areas, including labour-market-oriented technical and vocational education and training, adaptation to climate change, development partnerships with the private sector, and advisory services from the political to the organisational and technical levels. Our work in crises and fragile contexts – for example in the priority areas of stabilisation, displacement and migration, and psychosocial support – account for an ever-greater share of our portfolio. We use a variety of approaches and implementation methods, creating value at three levels: for individuals, organisations and society.

Flexibility is vital to our effectiveness. Over the last 10 years, we have monitored our business environment to identify trends, and have geared our work to the needs of clients and partners alike. We will continue to do so in future. Looking ahead, we are constantly adapting our range of services to the challenges of the moment. Innovation and change are integral components of our Corporate Strategy, and make us all the more effective in implementing projects, as evidenced by our development of digital learning platforms, modification of projects in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, and our extensive hydrogen portfolio.

Sustainability is part of our DNA and a principle that guides our actions. We at GIZ firmly believe that it is vital to combine social responsibility, ecological balance and economic capability for future generations to be able to live in safety, security and dignity. This is also the conviction that underlies our Sustainability Programme 2021–2025. With ambitious goals and far-reaching measures, we will ensure that our corporate sustainability continues to evolve. This means not only acting in line with our values, but also equipping ourselves for the future so that we remain a reliable advisor and service provider capable of implementing effective projects.

Our business model

Our vision: We work to shape a future worth living around the world.

As a public-benefit federal enterprise, we are a worldwide service provider and partner in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development and international education work.

Resources (a selection)

We use our resources sustainably and effectively, delivering value for money:

People and expertise

Expertise of national and international experts (field staff, Germany-based staff, integrated and returning experts, development workers, national staff)
Network of local and international cooperation partners (from the fields of politics and business, the scientific and academic community and civil society)
Over 50 years of experience around the globe
Training and upskilling programmes
Sustainable, entrepreneurial mindset and actions

Financing and commissions

Public funding through directly placed contracts or competitive bidding
Third-party funding through commissions
Cofinancing arrangements and subsidies

Materials and equipment

Responsible use of partner countries’ natural resources
Sustainably procured goods
(e.g. IT hardware, vehicles, solar power modules)

Activities

We understand the (political) requirements of our commissioning parties and translate them into customised, effective and sustainable solutions – covering all stages from development through to planning and, finally, implementation. Ongoing monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of projects ensures high quality and results.

Management and logistics

Management and supervision of construction and infrastructure projects
Handling finance and fund management
Placement of experts
Procurement and logistics

Advisory services

Policy and strategic advisory services
Technical consultancy
Organisational consultancy

Networking, dialogue, mediation

Management of networks and dialogue platforms
Mediation

Strategic capacity development

Skills management
Human resources development within organisations/training partnerships
Networked learning

We have both a public-benefit business area and a taxable business area. Our clients include BMZ, the German Federal Foreign Office, BMUV, other German federal ministries, the EU, German federal states, international institutions, governments and private-sector actors.

Value Creation (a selection)

We cover costs and generate sustainable value at three levels:

Individuals

Broader access to schooling and vocational education and training
Job creation and improved working conditions
Optimised access to health services, drinking water and energy supplies

Organisations

Enhanced management, networking and partner structures
More efficient use of resources
Greater capacity for innovation

Society

Greater political participation and gender equality
Enhanced access to administrative state services
Reduced greenhouse gas emissions

We align our work with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

We never lose sight of political and market influences and trends. On this basis, we devise our services using innovative approaches to respond to needs.

Unsere Vision: wir arbeiten weltweit für eine lebenswerte Zukunft.

Als gemeinnütziges Bundesunternehmen sind wir ein weltweit tätiger Dienstleister und Partner in der internationalen Zusammenarbeit für nachhaltige Entwicklung und der internationalen Bildungsarbeit.

Ressourcen (eine Auswahl):

Wir setzen unsere Ressourcen nachhaltig, wirtschaftlich und wirksam ein:

Menschen & Know-how:

Expertise von nationalen und internationalen Expert*innen (Auslands und Inlandsmitarbeitende, Integrierte und Rückkehrende Fachkräfte, Entwicklungshelfer*innen, Nationale Mitarbeitende);
Netzwerk von lokalen und internationalen Kooperationspartnern (z. B. aus Politik, Wirtschaft, Wissenschaft, Zivilgesellschaft);
Über 50 Jahre Erfahrung weltweit;
Aus und Weiterbildungsprogramme;
Nachhaltige, unternehmerische Denk und Handelsweise.

Finanzen & Aufträge:

Öffentliche Mittel durch Direktvergaben oder Wettbewerbsgeschäft;
Drittmittel durch Beauftragungen;
Kofinanzierungen und Zuschüsse.

Sachgüter:

Verantwortungsvollgenutztenatürliche Ressourcen der Partnerländer;
Nachhaltig beschaffte Güter (z.B. ITHardware, Fahrzeuge, Solarmodule).

Aktivitäten:

Wir verstehen die (politischen) Anforderungen unserer Auftraggeber und übersetzen diese in maßgeschneiderte wirksame und nachhaltige Lösungen — von der Entwicklung über die Planung bis zur Umsetzung. Durch ein kontinuierliches Monitoring und die Evaluierung (M&E) der Projekte sichern wir die Qualität und Wirkung unserer Arbeit.

Management und Logistik:

Management und Überwachung von Bau und Infrastrukturprojekten;
Abwicklung von Finanzierungen und Fondsmanagement;
Vermittlung von Fachkräften;
Beschaffung und Logistik.

Beratung:

Politik und Strategieberatung;
Fachberatung;
Organisationsberatung.

Vernetzung, Dialog und Mediation:

Management von Netzwerken und Dialogplattformen;
Mediation.

Strategische Kompetenzentwicklung:

Kompetenzmanagement;
Personalentwicklung in Organisationen/Weiterbildungspartnerschaften;

Vernetztes Lernen Es gibt sowohl einen gemeinnützigen als auch einen steuerpflichtigen Geschäftsbereich. Zu unseren Kunden zählen hierbei z.B. das BMZ, AA, BMU, weitere Bundesressorts, die EU, Bundesländer, internationale Institutionen, Regierungen wie auch Akteure der Privatwirtschaft.

Wertschaffung (eine Auswahl):

Wir arbeiten kostendeckend und schaffen nachhaltig Wert auf drei Ebenen:

Menschen:

Breiterer Zugang zu Schul und Berufsbildung;
Neu geschaffene Beschäftigung und verbesserte Arbeitsbedingungen;
Optimierter Zugang zu Gesundheitsdienstleistungen, Trinkwasser und Energieversorgung.

Organisationen:

Gestärkte Management, Netzwerk und Partnerstrukturen;
Effizientere Ressourcennutzung;
Gesteigerte Innovationsfähigkeit.

Gesellschaft:

Gestärkte politische Teilhabe und Geschlechtergleichstellung;
Verbesserter Zugang zu administrativen staatlichen Dienstleistungen;
Reduzierte Treibhausgasemissionen.

Dabei orientieren wir uns an den Zielen für nachhaltige Entwicklung der Vereinten Nationen.

Einflüsse und Trends aus Politik und Markt haben wir stets im Blick. Basierend hierauf entwickeln wir unser Angebot bedarfsgerecht mit innovativen Ansätzen weiter.

Find out more about our

services, and GIZ’s different approaches and methods

Information on the following sustainability standards can be found on this page:
GRI standard 3-1, 201